Overview
By now, most consumers who watch the high end real estate market around Boston know that the South End is a player. Other than a limited stall in 2009 and 2010, Boston’s South End neighborhood has been on a consistent and vertical march of home pricing appreciation for 20+ years.
Being the largest of our neighborhoods in terms of land mass (0.71 square miles), the South End breaks down into 12 trackable sub-neighborhoods. Like the Back Bay and Beacon Hill, the homes in this neighborhood are predominantly historic “brownstone” rowhouses which give these areas much of the charm that Boston is known for internationally. The South End has a more diverse (and larger) population base than either the Back Bay or Beacon Hill. The streetscape is organized in a way that allows for greater “neighborhood” interactions. More so than other downtown locales, the South End sub-neighborhoods tend to be organized and passionate about the smaller confines of the area they call home.
Jamie's South End Series
Follow along Jamie Gaines as she explores the neighborhood’s local stomping grounds, learning its neighborhood’s history, and virtually strolling through each of the 11 south end sub-neighborhoods! This tight-knit community is actually the oldest and largest urban Victorian neighborhood in the country, which means these historic brick streets feature some of Boston’s best real estate.
Check out the hidden treasures in each South End sub-neighborhood!
Location
Tremont Street, originating at Government Center and extending through the Downtown area becomes the undisputed “Main Street” for the South End once it crosses over Berkeley Street. The Tremont Street corridor is well known for its fine dining establishments. Sometimes referred to as “Restaurant Row,” the ¾ mile stretch from Berkeley to Mass Ave features more than 20 restaurants and coffee shops. Old favorites like Aquitaine, B&G Oyster and Metropolis have been joined more recently by new entrants like Ilona and Black Lamb among others. Other sub districts in the South End include the Golden Triangle (Ellis), SOWA, Eight Streets, the Pilot Block, Chester Square and the Worcester Square Area.
$2M+ Luxury Market Data
2024 saw pricing and transaction count in the South End slide backward. Dropping to 110 transactions and $326,858,308 in deal volume, this was a further slide from 2023 when the luxury market dropped from 165 transactions totalling $489M to 116 and $350M. 2021 and 2022 were particularly explosive years for the South End and the market has struggled slightly to reclaim the post Covid boom that was mostly driven by lower interest rates. The average price per square foot dropped from $1,372 to $1,301, just above a 5% decline. There were three sales above $2,000/SF. Of those, all three were in the Golden Triangle sub-neighborhood with two of them at full service Atelier 505.
$326,859,308
TOTAL SALES VOLUME
$1,300.93
Avg. Price Per Sq. Foot
110
NUMBER OF $2M+ PROPERTIES SOLD
14
NUMBER OF $4M+ PROPERTIES SOLD
Data sourced from MLS Pin on single family and condo properties sold in 2024 over $2 million.
Premium & Discounts to Asking
It should come as no surprise to those who understand this market that Ink Block led the train in discounts to asking in 2024. Penthouse 10 at 32 Traveler St sold for $2,200,000—just 68.75% of its original $3,200,000 asking price. This shiny new neighborhood hasn’t quite lived up to its pre-2020 hype, with owners facing challenges when it comes to reselling their units.
On the other hand, units are still trading for above their asking price even if not as fiercely as they did during the booming days of 2021-2022. In 2024, of the 110 total sales, there were 11 sales that exceeded their asking price.
Contact Our Neighborhood Specialists
We believe when real estate consumers are presented with a complete and robust spread of data, in conjunction with their personal preferences, decisions can be reached with the most confidence.
To learn more about changing market dynamics moving into 2025 check out our Perspective on the Boston Luxury Housing Market>
With hearts rooted in historical french cooking techniques and minds flying free with the contemporary cuisine of the future you are assured a meal that satisfies all your desires.
569 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118
617-424-8577
Located in Boston’s South End, B&B Oysters is chef Barbara Lynch’s modern take on a classic oyster bar.
550 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-0550
MODERN ASIAN GASTROPUB
553 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116
617-556-4211
Barcelona is thrilled to bring the best of Spanish food, culture, and style to the historic streets of Boston’s South End.
525 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
617.266.2600
Located in the heart of Boston’s historic South End, Boston Chops is an urban steak bistro—a casual yet refined twist on the splendor for which steakhouses are well-known.
1375 Washington Street, Boston MA
617-227-5011
Coppa is an intimate enoteca tucked away on a quiet side street in Boston’s South End featuring Italian small plates by James Beard Award-winning Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.
253 Shawmut Avenue, Boston MA 02118
617.391.0902
Kava menu is comprised not only of replicated Greek recipes, but of food brought in directly from the Mediterranean.
315 Shawmut Ave, Boston MA 02118
617.356.1100
The spirit and soul of the Orinoco river infuses our kitchens and guides our simple commitment to bringing you delicious meals at affordable prices, everyday.
477 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
617-369-7075
A tribute to the old world European boucheries, The Butcher Shop is both a neighborhood wine bar serving a highly-seasonal menu that changes daily, and a full-service butcher shop.
552 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02118
617.423.4800
Toro is a Barcelona-style tapas restaurant located in Boston’s South End South. Traditional & modern Spanish-style small plates made with locally sourced and sustainable ingredients.
1704 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118
617-536-4300
A neighborhood Mexican kitchen and tequila bar, The Burro Bar is the smaller sibling of The Painted Burro in Somerville. The bar features over 100 bottles that are “Burro tested and approved”.
1357 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118
617.426.9300
