Back Bay
A 19th-century neighborhood built on filled tidal land, known for its grid of Victorian brownstones and Commonwealth Avenue.
What to watch in Back Bay: development filings working through the city, new business licenses, often the first sign a storefront is changing, and the everyday reports residents file with the city. Everything here links back to the public record.
These totals come from Boston's public record for Back Bay: resident 311 reports, development filings, property violations, and business licenses. A sample of the most recent activity is below.
Back Bay on the map
Around the neighborhood
Trash Placed Out Early
4d agoTrash Placed Out Early. Status: open. 34 fairfield st, boston, ma 02116
Needle Pickup
4d agoNeedle Pickup. Status: closed. 700 boylston st, boston, ma 02116
Needle Pickup
4d agoNeedle Pickup. Status: open. 197 clarendon st, boston, ma 02116
Overflowing Trash
5d agoOverflowing Trash. Status: open. 340 commonwealth ave, boston, ma 02115
Pothole
6d agoPothole. Status: open. 269 commonwealth ave, boston, ma 02116
Illegal Dumping or Disposal
7d agoIllegal Dumping or Disposal. Status: open. 411 marlborough st, boston, ma 02115
Pruning Request
10d agoPruning Request. Status: open. 340 beacon st, boston, ma 02116
Litter & Debris
10d agoLitter & Debris. Status: open. 34 fairfield st, boston, ma 02116
Illegal Dumping or Disposal
13d agoIllegal Dumping or Disposal. Status: open. 34 fairfield st, boston, ma 02116
Pothole
15d agoPothole. Status: open. belvidere st & dalton st
Illegal Dumping or Disposal
20d agoIllegal Dumping or Disposal. Status: open. 45-53 hereford st, boston, ma 02115
Improper Trash Storage
26d agoImproper Trash Storage. Status: open. 8 fairfield st, boston, ma 02116
Development on record
Projects filed with the city in Back Bay. A filing is an early step, not a finished building: watch for hearings, amendments, and neighborhood feedback.
- 140 Providence Street476 residential units · 140 providence street · Sep 25, 2026
- Development filing288 to 298 tremont st boston 02116 · Aug 5, 2026
- Development filing31 winchester st boston 02116 · Jul 7, 2026
- Development filing51 to 59 stuart st boston 02116 · May 14, 2026
- 419 Boylston Street41 residential units · 419 boylston street · Jan 13, 2026
- residentialresidential · 18 winchester st boston 02116 · Jul 24, 2025
Recently licensed
Businesses that just cleared a licensing step with the city. A license does not always mean the doors are open yet.
- Chop Chop Rice Thai CuisineCommon Victualler · 248- newbury st · Aug 16, 2026
- Blank StreetCommon Victualler · 250- w newton st · Jul 17, 2026
- byChaeCommon Victualler · 222- newbury st · Jul 2, 2026
- Nana's Green TeaCommon Victualler · 175- newbury st · Jul 2, 2026
- Blank StreetCommon Victualler · 800- boylston st · Apr 9, 2026
- 7th Street BurgerCommon Victualler · 267-269 newbury st · Mar 27, 2026
Recent 311 reports
One report is small. A pattern of them in the same place can show where residents are feeling pressure.
- Wild Animal Issueopen · 700 boylston st, boston, ma 02116 · Sep 29, 2026
- Utility Contractor Complaintsopen · 31 hereford st, boston, ma 02115 · Sep 29, 2026
- Illegal Dumping or Disposalopen · public alley no. 417 & exeter st, back bay, ma 02116 · Sep 29, 2026
- Sidewalk Repairopen · 39 saint botolph st, boston, ma 02116 · Sep 29, 2026
- Potholeopen · belvidere st & huntington ave · Sep 29, 2026
- Fallen Tree or Branchesclosed · 5 durham st, boston, ma 02115 · Sep 29, 2026
City meetings affecting Back Bay
These citywide boards (zoning, planning, licensing, schools) set decisions that reach every neighborhood, including Back Bay. Agendas are public.
Recent coverage
311: Trash Placed Out Early
Trash Placed Out Early. Status: open. 34 fairfield st, boston, ma 02116
311: Pruning Request
Pruning Request. Status: open. 340 beacon st, boston, ma 02116
311: Improper Trash Storage
Improper Trash Storage. Status: open. 8 fairfield st, boston, ma 02116
311: Pruning Request
Pruning Request. Status: open. 294 marlborough st, boston, ma 02116
311: Broken Park Equipment
Broken Park Equipment. Status: unknown. 70 commonwealth ave, boston, ma 02116
311: Trash Placed Out Early
Trash Placed Out Early. Status: open. 338 commonwealth ave, boston, ma 02115
311: Improper Trash Storage
Improper Trash Storage. Status: open. 234-236 clarendon st, boston, ma 02116
Opening: YAMATO II, INC.
restaurant. New or newly licensed business in Back Bay.
Opening: HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY, INC.
restaurant. New or newly licensed business in Back Bay.