Apartments to rent in Leather District, Boston

The Leather District is a compact, historic nine‑block neighborhood on the southern edge of Downtown Boston, immediately adjacent to Chinatown and Dewey Square. Known for its 19th‑century brick loft buildings, short walks to South Station and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, and an urban, transit‑first lifestyle, the Leather District is popular with renters who want downtown access, restaurants and quick regional transit connections (ZIP 02111).

Nearby Neighborhoods Comparison

NeighborhoodsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
Leather District High Fair Safe Excellent
Chinatown High Fair Safe Excellent
Downtown High Average Safe Excellent
Bay Village High Good Safe Excellent
South End High Good Safe Good
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Zumper

Leather District, Boston Rental Prices

Studio
$1,500 – $3,500
1 bedroom
$2,200 – $4,000
2 bedroom
$3,500 – $7,000
3 bedroom
$5,500 – $10,000

Source: Zumper

Rentals available in Leather District, Boston

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Leather District, Boston Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Josiah Quincy Upper School (JQUS)

⭐ Not rated (new facility) / See City report City of Boston / Boston Public Schools
900 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
🧭 In‑neighborhood / On Washington St (new 2024–25 campus)

Eliot K-8 Innovation School

⭐ 6/10 City school profiles
16 Charter St, Boston, MA 02113
🧭 ~0.7–1.0 mi (Beacon Hill / North End area)

Top Private Schools

The Park School (Brookline)

⭐ Not rated here (well‑known independent) NCES / school listings
171 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA
🧭 ~2.0 mi (short drive/public transit)

Dexter Southfield School

⭐ Not rated here NCES / school listings
20 Newton St, Brookline, MA
🧭 ~5–10 min drive (suburban campus)

Source: Boston Public Schools / City of Boston project pages

Leather District, Boston Safety & Crime Overview

Safe

The Leather District sits in downtown Boston and experiences the typical pattern of a dense urban core: property and theft incidents are the most common complaints, with occasional quality‑of‑life and transit‑area incidents around South Station. Overall, city sources and neighborhood pages indicate safety is close to downtown averages — stay alert for daytime congestion and be mindful of bike lanes and busy intersections. Standard urban precautions (secure bikes, avoid leaving valuables in parked cars, watch late‑night transit crowds) are recommended.

Source: City of Boston neighborhood overview / local listings

Leather District, Boston Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~99
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score ~100
Rider's Paradise (South Station & multiple subway options)
Bike Score ~76
Very Bikeable
<10 min
To downtown core / Government Center by subway or rapid bus; South Station is a 5–10 minute walk and provides commuter rail/Amtrak access.

Source: WalkScore.com

Leather District, Boston Summary

Overview

The Leather District is a small, historic loft neighborhood between Chinatown and the Financial District notable for brick warehouse conversions, short walks to South Station and the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and a dense restaurant and retail scene. It appeals to renters who want a true downtown experience — transit access, compact floorplans, and proximity to jobs, hospitals and cultural venues.

Key Features

  • Historic loft architecture: 19th‑century brick warehouse conversions with large windows and high ceilings.
  • Transit hub access: Walking distance to South Station, Chinatown and multiple subway lines for fast regional and city commutes.
  • Dining destination: Immediate access to Chinatown’s restaurants, specialty markets and nightlife.
  • Walkable urban living: Daily errands and entertainment are within easy walking distance.

Housing Snapshot

  • Mostly lofts, converted warehouses and mid‑rise mixed‑use buildings
  • Rents are above Boston average for studio/1BR units; compact floorplans are common
  • Limited on‑site parking; residents rely on transit and paid garages