Neighborhoods of Boston :: The South End

http://www.BostonLuxuryRealEstate.com - Boston's South End neighborhood lies just south of the Back Bay and northwest of South Boston.  Despite its name, it is not directly south of the center of downtown Boston.

Built upon a former tidal marsh, the South End was filled and developed from the 1830s to the 1870s, even before Back Bay, which was mostly built after the American Civil War.  The Boston and Providence Railroad once ran through the South End, and most of the cross streets in the neighborhood are named after cities and towns served by the railroad… Greenwich, Newton, Canton, Dedham, Brookline, Rutland, Concord, Worcester, Springfield, Camden, Plympton, Stoughton, Waltham, Dover, Chatham and Wareham. 

Until the 1950s, the South End was a jazz mecca, with numerous jazz clubs scattered throughout the neighborhood.  Today, the neighborhood is one of Boston's most diverse, integrating people of nearly every race, religion and sexual orientation. The recent influx of families with young children has become a growing and important facet of this community, and is complimented by a myriad of parks and playgrounds scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Theatre and art galleries are flourishing in South End.  The Cyclorama, The Boston Center for the Arts, the Boston Ballet, numerous theatre companies and the new Calderwood Pavillion - the first new theatre built in Boston in 80 years, along with the live music venues such as the Beehive make Tremont Street a lively area in the evenings. 

The South End is one of Boston's main restaurant districts.  Tremont Street, often referred to as "restaurant row"  offes a diverse mix of cuisines from bargain priced pizza joints to numerous high end chef owned restaurants.  From French, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Indian, Korean, Tapas, Greek, Cuban and Middle Eastern, there is something here for everyone. Outdoor cafes abound for alfresco dining and great people watching.

A series of 11 residential parks are located across the South End, and most are oval in shape with passive use green space located in the center.  They take inspiration from the English inspired residential squares. Many of these squares have a central fountain and surrounded by cast iron fencing.  These 11 parks are complimented by a series of 16 community gardens and pocket parks.  Peters Park is dog central, the first city sanctioned "off leash" dog park.  With 13,000 square feet, it's one of the areas cleanest and most beautiful dog parks.

Though housing is relatively expensive by US standards, it remains less expensive than the wealthiest central Boston neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

The South End has many churches of architectural note, including the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the largest such cathedral in New England.

Mostly built of mid-nineteenth century bowfronts - aesthetically uniform rows of 5 story, predominantly red brick structures of mixed residential and commercial use.  The most common styles are Renaissance Revival, Italianate and French Second Empire, though there are Greek Revival, Egyptian Revival, Gothic Revival and Queen Ann style houses, among several other styles.  Row houses built in the last quarter of the 19th century are quite common along the Southwest Corridor Park. The common palettes of red brick, slate, limestone or granite trim, and cast iron railings provide great visual unity.  The South End is North America's largest existing Victorian residential district, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Newer doorman developments have emerged in recent years, along with numerous loft conversions, converted police stations, churches and former bank buildings - all now luxury condominium buildings.

A growing retail presence can be found along Tremont Street and the newly developed Washington Street, the former home of the Washington Street Elevated railway, torn down in 1987.  From handmade gifts to home furnishings, to clothing, specialty foods, cheese shops to high end dog boutiques, there is a plethora of retail shopping for every taste, mostly independently owned and operated.

SoWa (South of Washington) is a strip of blocks where you'll find Boston's emerging artists.  Artist's studios abound and many are open to the public on the first Friday of each week all summer.  The South End Open Market takes place every Sunday during the warmer months and is Boston's version of London's Portobello market… vintage clothes sellers, young fashion and jewelry designers rubbing elbows with cheese makers and antique dealers.  It changes every week!  A Farmer's Market is also held on Sundays from May to October.

Numerous public transportation options are available in the South End, which is erviced by the Silver Line and the Orange Line, as well as the Commuter Rail.

For all your real estate needs in Boston's South End, visit Marsh Properties at BostonLuxuryRealEstate.com

Real estate video by http://www.NashuaVideoTours.com

1313 Washington | South End, Boston Real estate (Wilkes Passage)

http://www.ResideBoston.com - Located just south of Boston's Back Bay is The South End, North America's largest Victorian residential district. With easy access to the Orange Line, The Commuter Rail and the Silver Line, the South End is a dream location for the commuter. Of course, the best way to see the South End and all of Boston is by foot, and the South End and all of it's attractions are easily walkable.

Wilkes Passage Condominiums are located at 1313 Washington Street, in the heart of the South End and just down the street from the largest Roman Catholic Church in Massachusetts and one of the grand architectural gems of the South End.

This two bedroom, two bath loft style home is located on the 6th floor. Offering 1,819 square feet of open living space, it boasts south facing views of Boston.

You'll enjoy gleaming oak hardwood floors throughout, custom class front cabinetry and the chic mosaic backsplash of the stainless steel chef's kitchen. Any cook will surely appreciate the high end Miele gas cooktop, Viking refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, Amana microwave and a Fisher & Paykel oven. The open concept kitchen is perfect for entertaining friends and family with an urban backdrop of the city as well as a Phillips 13" flat panel TV.

Opening to a large living and dining area, this spacious, sun drenched space represents urban loft living at it's best.

The master bedroom features a large walk in closet, complete with built in storage and laundry hookups. The spacious and elegant bathroom is accented by unique his and hers sinks.

The courtyard terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors! Filled with seasonal plantings and flowers, it's an oasis unto itself. And of course, the large roofdeck offers panoramic views of the entire city. Walkable to anywhere, this unit also features two deeded tandem parking spaces.

Lovingly restored over the past 30-40 years, Boston's South End is an architectural wonder at every turn. Street by street, you'll find stately residences, one more dazzling than the next. Adding to the charm, many neighborhoods are clustered around beautiful parks and fountains, modeled after the squares of London. In fact, the neighborhood has more than 30 parks, including Peter's Park, located next door to this condo… one of the nicest dog parks you'll ever see!

A thriving arts community exists in the South End, from theaters to the Boston Center for the Arts and the Cyclorama.

The southern end of the neighborhood, south of Washington Street is filled with artists studios and galleries. The SOWA Open Market draws crowds of art lovers and shoppers from everywhere.

Are you a foodie? A people watcher? The South End is filled with restaurants, bakeries and cafes, from pizza to some of the best gourmet restaurants in Boston. With over 30 independent restaurants run by outstanding chef/ owners, you'll never go hungry in the South End.

If you enjoy shopping, unique and tempting shops can be found all over the South End, including here on Washington Street. From clothes to furnishings to soap to jewelry to dog clothes, this is a shopper's playground.

Real estate video tours by http://www.NashuaVideoTours.com