Back Bay

Some of the city's most beautiful architecture lines the streets of the Back Bay. The magnificent Victorian mansions were first occupied by some of Boston's most famous families. Then as the heirs sold off their property in the 1950's and 1960's, many of the brownstones were converted into rooming houses, student apartments, or stood unoccupied.
Now, however, the Back Bay is one of the city's most desirable areas in which to live. Professionals quickly discovered the potential of the gorgeous buildings, as did real estate developers, who bought up the property and converted them into condominiums during the 1970's and 1980's. Once again, the Back Bay is synonymous with prosperity and prestige. Newbury Street is a cosmopolitan thoroughfare lined with clothing stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, bookstores and bars. The Ritz-Carleton Hotel stands at one end while the ever popular Tower Records, stands at the other.