Every major metropolitan area has its retail hub and for Boston it’s Downtown Crossing. Construction is currently in the works giving the eight-story Filene's building a facelift while erecting a new mixed-use development called One Franklin Tower at 426 Washington Street. One Franklin will boast over 1,200,700 square feet of hotel, retail, office and residential space.

With Filene's under construction, there are still major selling points to this shopping mecca. The area is mostly closed to automobiles which allows for swarms of pedestrian traffic. Despite suburban competition and persistent vacancies, the area boasts some great retail options including Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Macy's, H&M and a stellar food court.

Explore and discover Downtown Crossing:

• Bargain shopping
• Downtown Crossing restaurants
• Nightlife and bars

News courtesy of Outside.in

Downtown Crossing was originally a residential district for the leaders of colonial Boston where they had easy access to the waterfront for trade and the Boston Common for recreation. Their seat of government was the Old State House at the head of State. The Great Spring, the main fresh water source for the area is also the source of Spring Lane's name. The grid structure of Downtown Crossing's streets date back to the 1600s. Many of the walkways between the area’s main drag, Washington Street, and Tremont were once cow paths that led to the Common. By the mid-1800s, the once agrarian area around Washington Street became more commercialized after the great fire of 1872 destroyed more than 500 buildings and nearly demolished the 65-acre area. Boston’s elite rebuilt the district and it has been Boston’s primary retail area for many years.

• Bromfeld Street
• Devonshire Street
• Franklin Street
• Kingston Street
• Milk Street
• School Street
• Temple Place
• Tremont Street
• Washington Street
• Winter Street

• Apple Store
• Boston Opera House
• CeX
• Commonwealth Books
• Elephant & Castle Pub
• Good Life
• H&M
• Macy's
• Kingston Station
• Mantra
• Omni Parker Hotel
• Silvertone

This is where all but the blue-line T intesect. Downtown Crossing Station and State Steet Station on the orange-line T as well as the Park Street Station which connects the red and green lines are accessible in Downtown Crossing.