Downtown Crossing

Downtown Crossing is a shopping district in Boston, Massachusetts, located due south of the Boston Common and west of the Financial District. It features large department stores as well as restaurants, music stores, souvenirs, general retail establishments, and many street vendors. During the day, Downtown Crossing bustles with activity.

At one time, Downtown Crossing included the flagship stores of both the Filene's and Jordan Marsh chains. A small mall called Lafayette Place Mall was attached to the Jordan Marsh in 1985; by 1992 the mall was closed. It has since been converted to offices. In 1996, the former Jordan Marsh became Macy's, which it is to this day; the former Filene's is vacant.

It is also home to the flagship of discount department store Filene's Basement. The flagship store is underground -- literally in the basement of the former Filene's department store (The two stores, formerly under the same ownership, were disassociated in 1988). The building housing the two stores was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Suffolk University Law School is located in Downtown Crossing.

The Downtown Crossing subway station directly serves Downtown Crossing. The State Street and Park Street stations are within walking distance. Silver Line service is also available.

A local a cappella group/vocal band has named themselves after Downtown Crossing.

In early 2006, the Filene's landmark flagship store was closed and was consolidated in the existing Macy's store. Filene's Basement remains in the same location, as the merger did not affect that chain.

See also

• List of upscale shopping districts

External links

• Downtown Crossing Association
• Citysquares.com - Your Neighborhood, Online... Website for Downtown Boston, Downtown Crossing and other unique neighborhoods of Boston.