About South End / SOWA
The South End, (often confused with South Boston or “Southie”) is located south of the Back Bay and just west of Bay Village, Chinatown and the Theater District. Originally developed between 1850 and 1873 the construction was mostly single-family brick row houses. Like the Back Bay, these three and four-story structures were built on filled-in marshland. Although the South End has gone through several ups and downs, in recent years it has become one of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods. With it’s charming cobblestone streets and independently owned restaurants, shops and galleries, it is made up of a diverse blend of Bohemian baby boomers, young families, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
The South End is bordered by the Southwest Corridor (North), the Massachusetts Turnpike (East), Albany Street (South) and Massachusetts Avenue (West). The main corridors are Columbus Avenue, Tremont Street, Washington Street and Harrison Avenue. Tremont Street is often referred to as “Restaurant Row’ for its many progressive dining establishments, many with bustling sidewalk patios. The southern portion of the neighborhood has been designated the SOWA Arts District (south of Washington), a thriving artist community that opens private studio doors on the first Friday of every month, as well as hosting weekly farmers, craft and vintage markets. SOWA is also home to the city’s newer residential developments including the brand new luxury condo and rental building The Quinn/The Harris, neighboring Ink Block, Sepia and Siena buildings built on the site of the former Boston Herald headquarters, as well as the very chic 100 Shawmut property.
NOT TO BE MISSED: Hudson, SOWA Open Market, M. Flynn Fine Jewelry, Sault, ARTEFACT, Modern Relik, Patch NYC, Sienna Farms, and Formaggio Kitchen.