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.

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].