Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood is one of the city’s most prestigious and affluent areas. Flanking the Charles River and within proximity to some of Boston’s most iconic landmarks, Back Bay is known for its well-preserved urban and architectural designs. Luxurious apartments and condos converted from historic single-family homes offer Bostonians the option of superb and upscale living in a highly sought-after neighborhood. Back Bay is bordered by Kenmore Square on its west, Boston’s Public Garden to its east, Columbus Avenue to the south, and the Charles River on its northern border.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Back Bay is an excellent example of urban design with its brick townhomes and Victorian-era brownstones. The neighborhood has much to offer Bostonians looking for a charming and upscale community that puts them in the heart of the city’s activities. The Boston Conservatory, Goethe Institute, and Boston Architectural College are just a few prominent Back Bay institutions within easy walking distance. The seamless melding of modernistic buildings, such as the Hancock Tower and Prudential Center, with historic buildings like Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library is a perfect example of Boston’s landmark past combined with its innovative future.
Thanks to its “T” stations along MBTA’s Green and Orange Lines, quickly reached and traversed, Back Bay also offers quick access to shopping and green spaces. The famous Charles River Esplanade (say: Espla-nod) is part of the sprawling Charles River Reservation that spans four cities. Beautifully manicured lawns beckon residents and visitors alike and invite them to enjoy the beauty of Back Bay and the Charles River. The Hatch Memorial Shell, located in this park, is home to popular city-sponsored events and festivals designed to appeal to a wide swath of Bostonians. The Back Bay Fens and the Boston Public Garden are situated along the neighborhood’s southern portion. The area is part of the city’s Emerald Necklace, a network of waterways and parkways in Boston, and nearby Brookline, that are linked together.
Not surprisingly, Back Bay offers some of the best shopping experiences in the city. Copley Place, located near historic Copley Square, provides luxury shopping, two hotels, office buildings, and a parking garage. The base of Prudential Tower houses the Shops at Prudential Center, home to prestigious retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Vineyard Vines, Earl’s, and more. In addition to being near other attractions, such as the Huntington Avenue office towers and Hynes Convention Center, a skywalk connects the Shops at Prudential Center to Copley Place. Boylston and Newbury’s Streets are also fashionable shopping destinations lined with unique boutique shopping, superb dining, and exclusive salons where shoppers can find everything they need at their fingertips.