At a Glance

The neighborhood of Allston, located in northwest Boston, was annexed by the City in 1874. Once home to stockyards and rail yards, today's Allston is a bustling residential and commercial mix. 

Leafy side streets lined with wooden triple-decker houses are home to a diverse community, including longtime residents, students from nearby Boston University and Harvard, recent immigrants, and young professionals. The Charles River and Paul Dudley White Bicycle Path border the neighborhood to the north and east, offering recreational opportunities like canoeing, running, and biking. 

Commonwealth, Brighton, and Harvard Avenues feature hip bars and unique ethnic restaurants, creating hubs of activity throughout the community. Allston Village Main Streets supports business owners and nonprofits in the area. Harvard University, which owns more land in Boston than in Cambridge, is a major tenant of the neighborhood. Its business school and athletic facilities are based in Lower Allston. 

Want to learn about and share your ideas on planning and development in your neighborhood? Email our Community Engagement team at PlanningEngagement@boston.gov to learn about upcoming engagement opportunities. For information about planning context, zoning, or Planning Department processes, please contact [email protected].