Mayor Michelle Wu announced 1.25 million square feet of vacant office space in the downtown area will be converted into over 1,500 new homes.

Wu and Downtown Boston Alliance (DBA) staff spoke about safety and developmental progress made in the area this year and looked ahead to an eventful 2026 at the organization’s annual meeting on Monday, December 15.

The 1,500 new homes will be added in part of the city’s Office to Residential Conversion Program.

The mission of the Downtown Boston Alliance, known until 2024 as the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, is to improve the experience of all who visit, work and live in the area.

Wu said the organization has helped bring foot traffic to the neighborhood and connected new retail businesses with the area.

The neighborhood’s retail vacancy rate has been halved in recent years, according to Samantha Brien, Outreach and Engagement Manager of the DBA.

There has been a 24% reduction in major crime in the area. Residents and visitors report feeling safer in the neighborhood, according to Brien.

Tenants also have a renewed confidence in their surroundings.

DBA President Mike Nichols said Washington Street will soon have barely any vacancies from City Hall Plaza to Chinatown.

“I can always point to Downtown Boston and the Downtown Crossing area as an example of how every bit of collaboration and attention to detail plus brand vision has already made a difference,” said Wu.

The DBA hosted over 100 events in 2025. “Downtown Boston of today is a destination,” said Nichols. “It's where you find some of the region's best art, its most exciting food and drink and a mix of contemporary and historic venues that can’t be replicated anywhere else.”

Events on the schedule for 2026 are the FIFA World Cup, Sail Boston and the 250th anniversary of the United States which will bring a large number of tourists to the neighborhood’s restaurants and hotels.

“For the 250th, downtown will offer visitors a layered, memorable experience that connects our cities past, present and future,” said Nichols. “The role of the DBA will be to help tell these stories while continuing to serve stakeholders who live, work and do business downtown.”

The DBA plans to host an “exceptional year of festivities”, including more festivals and block parties, that will reinforce the area as a place to be year round and around the clock.

$100,000 has been earmarked for an upcoming project that would give Winter Street an aerial art and lighting display.

“The project has the potential to permanently transform one of downtown's major gateways,” said Nichols.