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Back Bay: Boston, Massachusetts

Summary

Inspired by 19th century plans for Paris, the Back Bay is a marvel of urban design, simultaneously historic and hip. With nearly 27,000 people, the neighborhood was the first successful attempt in the U.S. to realize the monumental effect of open spaces, grand boulevards, and imposing vistas that were possible only through large-scale city planning. Home to some of Boston's most treasured landmarks, revered institutions, active associations, and successful retailers, the neighborhood in many ways is the physical manifestation of the city's intellectual, cultural, and economic prowess.

Designated Area

Back Bay is framed by the Charles River to the north, the Massachusetts Turnpike to the south, the Public Garden to the east, and Charlesgate East to the west.

The heart of Back Bay, Commonwealth Avenue is modeled after Parisian boulevards and features 32-acres of planted space connecting neighborhood parks with Olmsted's 'Emerald Necklace.' Photo courtesy of Jack Brumm and the Back Bay Association.

Planning Excellence

Inspired by 19th century plans for Paris, the Back Bay is a marvel of urban design, simultaneously historic and hip. With nearly 27,000 people, the neighborhood was the first successful attempt in the U.S. to realize the monumental effect of open spaces, grand boulevards, and imposing vistas that were possible only through large-scale city planning. Home to some of Boston's most treasured landmarks, revered institutions, active associations, and successful retailers, the neighborhood in many ways is the physical manifestation of the city's intellectual, cultural, and economic prowess.

Located on what was once an inland bay, it took more than three decades to fill the tidal mudflats. The work, begun in 1858, enlarged Boston by 450 acres or nearly 60 percent. Farsighted zoning and building restrictions led to a cohesive, elegant neighborhood where streets were laid out in a series of oblong blocks.  Commonwealth Avenue, a 32-acre tree-lined mall modeled after the Parisian boulevards created for Emperor Napoleon III, became the neighborhood's central axis.

Today the Back Bay serves as an outdoor museum of 19th- and 20th-century city planning and what is considered to be the finest district of Victorian townhouses in the country. Its assemblage of elegant parks and unique open spaces is unmatched in neighborhoods of comparable size. It boasts a 24-acre Public Garden with Victorian statuary, swan boats, botanical displays, and the three-mile long Charles River Esplanade designed in the 20th century as a linear waterfront park with Hatch Shell, popular for its Fourth of July concerts with the Boston Pops.

Contrasting with its green spaces, historic architecture, and residential areas is Back Bay's concentrated mixed-use district with unique boutiques and high-end national and international shops and restaurants on Newbury and Boylston streets. The neighborhood's economic engine is served by the line of skyscrapers that form the city's "high-spine" along Boylston Street. Created during the past 40 years, the latter corridor features striking examples of New England's tallest — and most controversial — contemporary architecture, including the John Hancock Building designed by renowned architects I.M. Pei and Partners.

Contrasting Back Bay's green spaces and residential areas is a concentrated mixed-use area featuring more than 600 shops and restaurants. Photo courtesy of Jack Brumm and the Back Bay Association.

Defining Characteristics, Features

Mixed uses

  • Supermarket, public and private schools, colleges, houses of worship, library
  • Land uses differentiated, providing relative tranquility near the river; diversification increases as one moves from river toward Boylston Street; wide sidewalks
  • Sixty-one percent of residents walk, bike, or take public transit to work
  • Served by three green and one orange line subway stops; 11 MBTA bus routes. Bike share station at Boylston Street; Newbury Street has motor scooter parking

Architectural Diversity, Public Spaces

  • Two of America's most important, stylistically influential post-Civil War buildings — the Boston Public Library (1887), designed by Charles Follen McKim in the form of a classical Renaissance palace, and Trinity Church (1887), H.H. Richardson's masterpiece — face each other across Copley Square
  • Designed in Gothic Revival style by Charles Amos Cummings and Willard T. Sears, Old South Church (1875) is home to one of oldest U.S. religious communities
  • Back Bay Architectural District established by state law in 1966; named to National Register of Historic Places in 1973
  • Commonwealth Avenue, heart of Back Bay; 240-foot width, elm-shaded pedestrian mall runs a mile from Public Garden to Charlesgate East; links neighborhood parks with Olmsted's "Emerald Necklace"
  • The Esplanade, part of the "Emerald Necklace," features 2,000 trees and six miles of paths along the bank of the Charles River
  • 2.4-acre Copley Square, redesigned several times since 1883, has central green space, fountain, seasonal farmers market, and high visibility park

Planning History

  • Historic street grid (1860s) unites Back Bay internally; provides high degree of connectivity; multiple paths allow travel within and to and from neighborhood
  • Initial zoning and building restrictions include height limits, deep building setbacks, and mandated use of masonry and brick building materials
  • Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) invokes state law (mid-1960s) to redevelop state rail yard as Prudential Center
  • Back Bay Architectural Commission (1966) promotes high standards of design and protects residential portion of neighborhood
  • Code modifications allow for special districts where zoning is specific to project. First modification granted to John Hancock Company for landmark tower
  • Responding to opposition to New England Life Building (1985), BRA initiates public participation process for rezoning of Boylston Street
  • Since 2000, more than 800 new units of affordable housing built under city's inclusionary housing program

Engaged Citizenry

  • Neighborhood Association of Back Bay (NABB), established in 1950s, successfully opposed high-rise along Commonwealth Avenue; University of Massachusetts' development proposals (late 1960s); scaling back Park Plaza (1970s); changing tower heights for New England Life Building (1983); and high-rise project over the Massachusetts Turnpike Extension (1996-2000)
  • NABB works with city to establish 70- to 90-foot residential district height limits (1970); reduce heights (to 65 feet) and floor area ratios (3:1) on Newbury Street (1980); reduce heights along Boylston Street (mid-1980s)
  • The Back Bay Association established in 1923 represents businesses, retailers, major corporations, churches, and institutions in the neighborhood. With more than 300 members today, it ensures continued commercial strength of the area and initiates programs to improve, promote, and protect the quality of life in the Back Bay

Back Bay realizes the monumental effect of open spaces, grand boulevards, and imposing vistas. Copley Square is the neighborhood's living room and includes a public green space, art, historic architecture, a seasonal farmer's market, and stunning views of downtown Boston. Photo courtesy of Mary Knasas and the Boston Redevelopment Authority.