Bay Village is Boston’s charming mini neighborhood. Nicknamed “Boston’s Secret Garden,” Bay Village remains one of the city’s most undiscovered neighborhoods. However, the popular Mike & Patty’s at 12 Church Street marks a Bay Village landmark.
At just 25-acres, many often confuse Bay Village for Back Bay or the South End, the precincts that Bay Village neighbors. To put into perspective just how small Bay Village is, Back Bay is over 400 acres, and the South End is about 300.
But while many mistake Bay Village for other Boston neighborhoods, the 1790s Federal Period architecture serves as a primary distinguisher. This “secret garden’s” nearly 837 housing units have a distinct facade.
Bay Village Architecture
The Federal Period lasted from about 1780 through the 1830s. This time refers to the early decades following the formation of the United States in 1776.
Federal Period architecture, like that of Boston’s Bay Village, is inspired by American heritage and Georgian design. The style emphasizes symmetry, boxy shapes, and clean lines. You’ll often find neatly placed windows that align seamlessly in a several rows, almost like a grid.
Materials used include brick, stone and wood. Well-known Massachusetts buildings with Federal period architecture include the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill, several Harvard University buildings, Quincy Market, and the Salem Custom House.
Where to find Bay Village in Boston?
You can explore a concentrated amount of this Federal Period architecture in the neighborhood of Bay Village which was situated by the 1860s. Bay Village was primarily a lower- and middle-class neighborhood but has since become occupied mainly by upper class.
In 1983, the Boston Landmarks Commission officially deemed the 25-acres bound by Cortes, Tremont, Piedmont, and Isabella Streets, “Bay Village.” At 1 Bay Street in Bay Village you’ll find an 1830 Federal Period skinny house that’s listed under the National Register of Historic Places.
History of the Secret Garden
As Boston’s smallest and most overlooked neighborhood, Bay Village earned itself the nickname “Boston’s secret garden.” Despite its small size, Bay Village has several notable shops, restaurants, gorgeous brick rowhouses, and is the “fourth most walkable Boston neighborhood,” according to Walkable.