Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/94515
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDY RYAN alter ego THRIVING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TOO. BY DONNA GARLOUGH A CHANGING REAL ESTATE SCENE HAS THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT POISED TO BECOME A F or all its riches, Boston has long fallen short in one regard: the lack of a recreational scene in what could—and should—be one of its most vibrant corners, the Financial District. For years, the area between Downtown Crossing and the waterfront would grow eerily silent after 6 PM on weekdays, trafficked only by wayward tourists on the weekends. At last, though, city planners and private developers are paving the way for change, quite liter- ally: Broad Street is nearing the end of a makeover thanks to the Boston Redevelopment Authority's Crossroads Initiative, which is closely tied to the mayor's efforts to revitalize neighborhoods. A "confluence of events" has precipitated the change, says Jonathan Greeley, BRA's senior planner and project manager for the Crossroads Initiative. "You've got the Central Artery that's come down, and now the mayor's made a big commitment to improving what's on the street level," he explains. "We're encouraging ameni- ties that serve more than just daytime business needs." continued on page 126 Haute Property NEWS, STARS, AND TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE The exterior of FiDi Luxury Lofts at the corner of Broad and Batterymarch Streets. BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 125