Boston, MA 02108 · 02109 · 02110 · 02111
Downtown Boston Real Estate
Glass towers and loft conversions near Boston Common, Downtown Crossing and the harbor
Updated
- ZIP codes
- 02108 · 02109 · 02110 · 02111
- Getting around
- Park Street, Downtown Crossing, State, Government Center and Aquarium stations (Red, Orange, Green, Blue Lines); South Station for Silver Line, commuter rail and Amtrak
- Typical homes
- High-rise condo towers, condos in converted 19th- and early 20th-century commercial buildings, and waterfront residences
Downtown Boston has been the city's commercial center since the 1700s, and its street plan still follows the crooked colonial lanes around the Old State House and Faneuil Hall. Much of the area burned in the Great Boston Fire of 1872 and was rebuilt in brick and stone for commerce. Over the past few decades, a run of residential towers and loft conversions has added homes to a district once known mostly for offices and department stores.
Washington, Winter and Summer Streets meet at Downtown Crossing, a pedestrian retail zone near the Boston Opera House and the Paramount Theatre. Boston Common lies at the western edge, the Rose Kennedy Greenway runs along the east, and Post Office Square's park sits among the Financial District's high-rises. Five subway stations and South Station sit within the neighborhood or at its edge, so nearly every MBTA line is reachable on foot.
Downtown covers several distinct pockets, from the Ladder Blocks between Tremont and Washington Streets to the Financial District and the harbor-facing wharves along Atlantic Avenue. Street life, noise, views and the mix of offices and homes nearby can change quite a bit from one pocket to the next, so it helps to walk a block at different times of day.
Where Downtown Boston is
Living in Downtown Boston
What makes Downtown Boston special
Boston Common
The country's oldest public park borders Downtown along Tremont Street, with the Public Garden just beyond across Charles Street.
Freedom Trail sites
The Old State House, Old South Meeting House, Granary Burying Ground and Faneuil Hall all sit within a few downtown blocks.
Downtown Crossing
Pedestrian-only stretches of Washington, Winter and Summer Streets hold department stores, national retailers and food spots.
Theater row
The Boston Opera House and the Paramount Theatre share a block of Washington Street, with the Cutler Majestic a short walk away on Tremont Street.
Greenway and harbor
The Rose Kennedy Greenway, Long Wharf and the Harborwalk link Downtown to the New England Aquarium and harbor ferries.
Transit hub
Park Street, Downtown Crossing, State and Government Center connect all four subway lines, with South Station a short walk south.
The Market
Downtown Boston homes & real estate
Downtown housing is almost entirely condominiums and rental apartments. At the tall end are full-service towers such as Millennium Tower, built on the former Filene's site at Downtown Crossing, and the Winthrop Center tower on Federal Street. Older commercial blocks in the Ladder District and around Washington Street have been converted into loft-style condos with high ceilings and large windows, and on the waterfront, buildings such as Harbor Towers on India Wharf face the harbor.
Buyers here often weigh full-service buildings with concierge, garage and amenity spaces against smaller conversions with lower fees and fewer services, so it pays to read association budgets closely. Street noise, view corridors and the direction a unit faces vary block by block, and waterfront buildings warrant a look at flood maps and insurance. Ask us when you want current Downtown pricing for a specific building and we will send you a clear summary.
Helpful guides: Renting in BostonFirst-time buyer guideHow offers work in MassachusettsMortgage options by property typeSelling a house in Massachusetts
Getting around: Blue Line guideOrange Line guideRed Line guide
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes cover Downtown Boston?
Downtown is mainly covered by 02108 near the Common and State House, 02109 and 02110 for the Financial District and waterfront, and 02111 around Downtown Crossing and the Ladder District.
How do you get around from Downtown Boston?
Downtown is the hub of the MBTA. Park Street, Downtown Crossing, State and Government Center connect the Red, Orange, Green and Blue Lines, and South Station adds the Silver Line, commuter rail and Amtrak.
What types of homes are for sale in Downtown Boston?
Expect condominiums in high-rise towers, loft-style units in converted commercial buildings, and waterfront condos near the wharves. Single-family homes are very rare here.
What is Downtown Boston known for?
It is known for Boston Common, Freedom Trail landmarks like the Old State House and Faneuil Hall, the Downtown Crossing shopping district, the theater district along Washington Street and the Financial District skyline.
What is the Ladder District?
The Ladder District, or Ladder Blocks, is the grid of short streets between Tremont and Washington Streets from School Street to Boylston Street, named for the rung-like pattern of its cross streets.
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