Historic Quincy Center
Quincy is known as the "City of Presidents," and no part of town is as deeply steeped in history as Quincy Center. This downtown district is the birthplace and final resting place of both John Adams and John Quincy Adams. It's also home to many museums and other historical buildings that draw the attention of visitors.
If you're visiting Quincy Center, there are a few places you definitely won't want to miss. First, stop off at Adams National Historical Park, the birthplace and part-time residence of the Adams family for generations. The United First Parish Church is nicknamed the "Church of Presidents" as it was visited by both John Adams and John Quincy Adams. There's also the Hancock Cemetery, which has served as the final resting place of Quincy's most famous residents for more than 200 years.
Of course, historical sites aren't the only thing to enjoy in Quincy. The city has been undergoing renovations to make it a more attractive site for new residents, adding fresh shopping spaces and lots of residential areas.
New high-rise apartment buildings provide plenty of new space for people interested in moving to the area, and there are several condominiums available in the area as well. If historic architecture is your preference, Quincy has what you're looking for: Most of the older residences in the city were built in the 1930s or earlier, some being centuries old. If you've ever dreamed of the charm of a New England cottage with the conveniences of a thriving city, Quincy Center might be the perfect place for you.
Quincy Center Renovations
Quincy Center lies in 50 acres in the heart of downtown Quincy. This city center is a district with deep historical roots, and it's also home to plenty of shopping and dining opportunities that draw visitors from throughout the area. Quincy Center is also a particularly popular part of town for commuters as it rests right on the Red Line to Boston; this 22-minute subway ride can take you to the heart of Boston without traffic, making Quincy Center a great place for commuters.
Despite its strengths, Quincy Center has suffered from stagnation in recent years, especially with the development of hip and urban Marina Bay. In order to revitalize the neighborhood, Quincy has undertaken an ambitious renovation project. These renovations are budgeted at $1.6 billion and represent the largest urban redevelopment project in the country.
Naturally, a project of that size is bound to run into some trouble, and the Quincy Center renovation has hit some delays already. Despite these problems, the plans are still in full force to continue, with renovations expected to end by the summer of 2016. By that time, the neighborhood is expected to gain 3.5 million square feet of fresh residential, commercial and retail space.
Among the most exciting new developments in the area are two new apartment complexes, called West of Chestnut and East of Chestnut. Combined, these will provide more than 380 new living spaces, making it easier than ever to live, work and play right in Quincy Center.
The Heart of Quincy
The neighborhood of Quincy Center is one of the most eclectic areas of the city, offering a vibrant combination of historical sites, shopping, dining and cultural diversity.
Visitors to Quincy Center are often drawn first to the numerous historical sites and museums, including the birthplace and long-time home of both presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams as well as their families.
The neighborhood has plenty of other things to offer, however, including dining from an array of ethnic dishes. Approximately 20 percent of Quincy Center's population is Asian, making it easy to find authentic Chinese and Japanese food, and you can also enjoy some fresh-caught seafood in plenty of eateries throughout the neighborhood.
Quincy Center's convenient location near the MBTA means that traveling from Quincy Center to any other part of Quincy or Boston is easy, making Quincy Center particularly attractive for people craving the car-free urban lifestyle without the congestion of Boston.
This historic neighborhood is undergoing renovations to make it even more enticing. The combination of apartments, condos and historic-style houses provides plenty of variety for people looking to move to the area.
Quincy Center is an especially popular choice for commuters since its proximity to the Red Line means a trip to Boston can take just 22 minutes. Many Quincy Center residents choose to live without cars since the public transportation makes it easy to get anywhere you'd need to go, and much of the neighborhood can be enjoyed by foot or by bike.
What to Do in Quincy Center
Quincy Center is the heart and soul of the City of Presidents. Sitting on Hancock Street in central Quincy, this historical neighborhood has plenty to offer to visitors and residents alike. If you're thinking of moving to the area or are just stopping by for a visit, there are a few places you'll definitely want to see.
Among the historical sites in Quincy Center are the Hancock Cemetery, which has served as the resting place for Quincy's most illustrious residents for more than two centuries, and the Dorothy Quincy Homestead, which has stood since 1685 and was home to multiple generations of Quincys. You'll also want to stop off at Adams Academy, a preparatory school that now houses a museum of local history.
Historical sites aren't all that Quincy Center has to offer. There's also tons of shopping and dining to enjoy as you walk along Hancock Street. The neighborhood has a high population of Asian people, providing delicious and authentic Chinese and Japanese cuisine that you can't find elsewhere in the city. There's also plenty of seafood to celebrate the freshest catch from nearby Boston Harbor.
In July, shopping reaches a fever pitch as the street fills up with vendors for the annual sidewalk sale, an event that converts all of Hancock Street into a giant block party. There are also plenty of holiday events in the area, including parades for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Flag Day as well as an annual ice sculpture displays outside City Hall every New Year's.
Quincy Center is great to visit, but it's also a convenient place to live and work. The neighborhood is home to multiple apartment complexes and condominiums providing luxury housing right in the heart of the city.