Boston Fish Pier, Historic Pier in Boston

Boston Fish Pier is a 300-foot-wide, 1,200-foot-long pier on Northern Avenue in South Boston, with Logan Airport across the main channel to the north. Two nearly identical steel and concrete buildings trimmed in terra cotta run most of its length, with high arched hallways and 44 storefronts for fish dealers and related businesses. A small administration building stands at the far end.

Boston's fishing industry moved here from leased quarters on T Wharf, whose lease expired in 1909. The pier opened in 1910 and its buildings, designed by Henry F. Keyes, followed in 1912. Its eight-story cold storage held 15 million pounds of fish, then the world's largest. Landings peaked at 339 million pounds in 1969; the Massachusetts Port Authority took over in 1972 and rehabilitated the facilities in 1979.

The exchange building at the end of the pier, where fish auctions were once held, now serves as a conference center, while the rest of the pier remains dominated by fishery businesses. The site has been central to Boston's fishing industry since 1910, and the tradition of fishing in the city reaches back to its founding in the 17th century.

The pier runs 1,200 feet (370 m) along Northern Avenue in South Boston, with Logan Airport across the main channel to the north. Two long steel-and-concrete buildings line its length, and the exchange building at the far end now serves as a conference center. It remains a working fishery site, so expect active unloading areas rather than open public access throughout.

The exchange building at the end of the pier, where fish auctions were once held, now serves as a conference center, while the rest of the pier remains dominated by fishery activities. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and is under consideration for Boston Landmark status.