For many years, the transformation of the Boston Seaport District into a vibrant mixed-use market seemed to always be decades away. For those of us who participated in the NAIOP Seaport Walking Tour, we know that this massive area across Fort Point Channel is finally living up to the hype.

David Manfredi, Principal at Elkus Manfredi, began the program by describing the development over the last 10 years, which includes 2.3 mm sq. ft. of office, 750 new residences, 1,700 hotel rooms, 40 restaurants & cafes, 3 acres of parks, and the ICA and the convention center. This transformation was enabled, in part, by the massive public sector investment in infrastructure and the success of the pioneering development, including the Federal Court House and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Anyone who has been down by the waterfront recently knows there is an enormous amount of construction currently underway, including another 1.8 mm sq. ft. of office, 1,100 apartments, 120 hotel rooms, 30k sq. ft. of retail and many more restaurants, and .5 acre of park space. Highlights include:

• Residences at 399 Congress
• Watermark Seaport apartments
• Boston Wharf Tower apartments
• 411 D Street apartments
• Pier 4 Apartments
• Waterside Place mixed use
• Marriott Residence Inn
• A Loft & Element Hotels
• Tavern Rd, Blue Dragon restaurants
• Bee’s Knees store
• One Channel Center (State Street Bank)
• Block L1 Seaport Sq. (Price Waterhouse)
• 49, 51 and 63 Melcher Street offices
• Vertex at Fan Pier
• Channel Center park
• Q park
• District Hall Innovation Center

Upcoming construction includes yet another 1.1 mm sq. ft. of office, 700 residences, 750 hotel rooms, 300k sq. ft. of retail and many more restaurants, as well as an expansion of the BCEC.

Thousands of new employees will be working in this district, with a likely significant number choosing to live in the area, and all of them spending at least some time in the many restaurants and shops along the waterfront. The need for diversity, options and vitality in this mixed-use area is clear. There is probably more happening in the Seaport District right now than in any other area in Massachusetts (or in any other major metropolitan area across the country, for that matter), and it doesn’t look like it will be slowing down anytime soon.

View photos from the event.