Downtown Crossing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Downtown Crossing is a shopping district in Boston, Massachusetts, located due east of the Boston Common and west of the Financial District. It features large department stores as well as restaurants, music stores, souvenir sellers, general retail establishments, and many street vendors. The section of Washington street between Temple and Bromfield streets (and portions of Winter and Summer streets) are closed to most vehicular traffic; pedestrians may walk freely in the street. During the day, Downtown Crossing bustles with activity.
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[edit] Jordan Marsh, Filene's and Filene's Basement
In the nineteenth century, Downtown Crossing became the hub of department store shopping in Boston. In 1841, Eben Jordan and Benjamin L. Marsh opened the first Jordan Marsh department store. Another major store, Filene's, was founded in 1881. Originally known as William Filene's Sons Co. the store expanded, opening the "Automatic Bargain Basement" in 1909. Filene's Basement would go on to become a major department store independent of Filene's. The flagship store of Filene's Basement was located underground, in the basement of the former Filene's department store. The two stores, formerly under the same ownership, were disassociated in 1988. The building housing the two stores was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
During the Winter Season Filene's would hold a Christmas tree lighting and Jordan Marsh would present a series festive Christmas window displays known as the "Enchanted Village". The window display has since relocated to Boston's Hynes Convention Center, and then to City Hall Plaza.
In 1996, the former Jordan Marsh store became Macy's, and in early 2006 the Filene's landmark flagship store was closed. In 2006, Vornado Realty Trust announced the purchase of the former Filenes site for $100m. The project is expected to cost around $620 million and the project would be filled with upscale shopping destinations, high-dollar business space, and tony residences.[1] The Plan calls for a 38 story tower. However, the vacancy left by Filenes has left the building to be redeveloped. Filenes Basement has been closed for the duration of construction, but has vowed to return upon constructions completion. As of December 2007, Filenes Basement is closed.
[edit] Suffolk University Expansion
Today, downtown crossing is in a suspended state due to the loss of Filene's Basement for construction. Other recent closings include Barnes and Noble, and HMV music.
In 2007 Suffolk University bought a building on West Street that was being renovated into condominiums. The West St. property will house about 270 students.[2]
[edit] Other points of interest
The MBTA's Downtown Crossing subway station directly serves Downtown Crossing. The State Street and Park Street stations are within walking distance. Silver Line service is also available.
H&M has a store located at Downtown Crossing. A small mall called Lafayette Place Mall was attached to the Jordan Marsh store in 1985; by 1992 the mall was closed and has since been converted to offices.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
| Neighborhoods in Boston, Massachusetts |
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Allston/Brighton · Back Bay · Beacon Hill · Charlestown · Chinatown · Dorchester · Downtown Crossing · East Boston · Fenway-Kenmore · Government Center · Hyde Park · Jamaica Plain · Longwood · Mattapan · Mission Hill · North End · Roslindale · Roxbury · South Boston · South End · West End · West Roxbury |
[edit] External links
- Official city website
- Downtown Crossing Association
- Citysquares.com - Your Neighborhood, Online... Website for Downtown Boston, Downtown Crossing and other unique neighborhoods of Boston.
