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Back Bay is an officially recognized neighborhood of Boston, built on reclaimed land in the Charles River basin. Construction began in 1859, as the demand for luxury housing exceeded the availability in the city at the time; the area was fully built by around 1900. Back Bay was planned by architect Arthur Gilman, influenced by Haussmann's renovation of Paris. It is noted for its rows of Victorian brownstone homes – considered one of the most preserved examples of 19th-century urban design in the United States – and numerous architecturally significant buildings, as well as cultural institutions, such as the Boston Public Library. Initially conceived as a residential-only area, commercial buildings were permitted from around 1890 and Back Bay now features many office buildings, including the John Hancock Tower, Boston's tallest skyscraper. It is also considered a fashionable shopping destination and is home to several major hotels. Today, along with neighboring Beacon Hill, it is one of Boston's two most expensive residential neighborhoods. In 1973, Back Bay was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.
This picture is a panoramic view of the Back Bay skyline, taken in 2017, as seen across the Charles River from the Longfellow Bridge. Among the buildings depicted, from left to right, are the Berkeley Building, the John Hancock Tower and the Prudential Tower.Photograph credit: Tony Jin