At a Glance

The Leather District is a small neighborhood just east of Chinatown, nestled between Dewey Square and Kneeland Street. The nine distinct blocks are noted for their nineteeth century brick warehouse structures. The leather industry and related wholesalers who first worked here required space for display, offices and workshops, thus, ground floor display windows dominate these buildings, set in sturdy cast iron columns. Since the 1980s the Leather District has grown as a mixed-use area, and it is now home to a variety of commercial and residential tenants.

Due to recent development and the creation of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, the Leather District has emerged as a distinct Boston neighborhood.  Residents cherish the “loft living” options that characterize the community. The short distance to the major rail transportation hub, Boston's South Station, makes the Leather District a very accessible neighborhood.

The Leather District is home to a wide arrange of industries from small restaurants to large corporations. Among others, the second oldest financial institution in the United States, State Street Corporation, has its headquarters there.

Community Engagement Managers

The Community Engagement Managers (CEM) of the BPDA are responsible for assisting staff members with the coordination of all outreach in regard to planning initiatives and proposed development in Boston's neighborhoods. CEMs work to ensure each BPDA external process actively reflects the community's goals, in addition to being the point of contact for constituent questions. Have questions about a certain project in your neighborhood? Feel free to reach out them:

Staff

Christine Brandao

Community Engagement Manager

Department: Communications

Neighborhoods

Allston, Back Bay, Chinatown, North Dorchester, Downtown

Contact

For information about planning context, zoning, or BPDA review processes, please contact [email protected].