Boston’s Seaport District changes: A running list

One of the meta-themes of Boston development is the fate of the Seaport District. The neighborhood within a neighborhood (South Boston) grew up wholesale during the earliest part of the 21st century, and basically failed to evolve beyond an enclave for luxury condos and fancy restaurants (or maybe that was the plan all along).

But, in 2019, the Seaport and its smaller Fort Point neighbor appeared to turn a corner. Here is a running list of changes that seem to herald the Seaport’s arrival as an actual 24-7 place to live.

Trader Joe’s. It’s very, very likely that the California-based grocer will plunk its 20th Massachusetts location at 44 Thomson Place. It would be the first grocery store in reasonable distance to Seaport residents.

Rendering courtesy of Reed Hilderbrand

Sea Steps: The five publicly accessible, terraced levels next to the Pier 4 luxury condo complex and the Institute of Contemporary Art area are expected to open in summer 2019.

Porter Square Books. The North Cambridge-based vendor plans to open a 1,700-square-foot location at 50 Liberty Drive. It will be part of a larger narrative arts center that the GrubStreet nonprofit plans to open there by spring 2020.

KinderCare. The daycare with 102 slots opens in April (this month) at 130 Autumn Lane.

Boston Globe via Getty Images

Martin’s Park. A one-acre play and rest space at 64 Sleeper Street—named after the youngest victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon attack—is expected to open before the end of 2019. Appropriately enough, it’s next to the Boston Children’s Museum.