Prudential Center Stores
The Prudential Center is a 23-acre complex situated in the Back Bay District between Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue. The complex contains office buildings, hotels, green space, a shopping mall, and the Prudential office tower. At the base of the tower is a beautiful shopping mall with more than 70 retails stores. The mall walkways are covered with atrium-style glass ceilings that are known as arcades.
The Prudential Center, or "The Pru," opened in 1965. The complex was part of a massive urban renewal wave in Boston that occurred during the 1950s and 1960s that was known as The New Boston. Architecturally, the Prudential Tower was originally considered sleek and modern, then excessively square and overwhelming, but today is an integral part of the Back Bay's appearance and culture. From the Longfellow Bridge at Cambridge Street, the view of the Back Bay is very pleasing, with the Berkeley Building standing on the left and the Prudential Tower on the right. Office towers have filled the space between them over the years, with the taller structures embedded or planted into the shorter and older brownstone residences of the historic Back Bay.
The original 1960s concrete plaza, characteristic of a giant empty plateau over Boylston Street, was completely replaced in the 1990s to create the beautiful Prudential Center shopping mall. Glass covered arcades connect different portions of the complex. The Boylston and Newbury arcades are located near the Boylston Street entrance. The Prudential and Back Bay arcades intersect in a central court. The mall is joined with the Hynes Convention Center and Copley Place via walkways and passages, which is extremely convenient. There is also a public garden near the central court, where free concerts and events take place during summer.
There are many points of interest near the Prudential Center, including the Prudential Skywalk, an observatory at the top of the Pru Tower. Copley Place is next to Copley Square, where Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library are located. During the New Year's eve First Night celebration, the Hynes Convention Center and Copley Square are major venues for exhibits and performances. Just to the west of The Pru is Kenmore Square and historic Fenway Park, to the east is the Public Garden, Cheers Beacon Hill and Boston Common. One block north is the Newbury Street shopping area.
The Prudential Center food court is a very popular place to commence an afternoon of shopping in the mall, and then visit other nearby attractions.
Main Store Listing, Sorted By Type
Apparel, Women's
344 - Boylston Arcade
Ann Taylor - Prudential Arcade
Ann Taylor Loft - Hynes Court
Arden B. - Back Bay Arcade
Chico's - Fashion Court
Free People - Boylston Arcade
J. Jill - Back Bay Arcade
Stil - Boylston Arcade
Apparel, Men's & Women's
Club Monaco - Huntington Arcade at Center Court
Express - Bridge Court at Back Bay Arcade
Lacoste - Back Bay Arcade near Bridge Court
Apparel, Shoes
Aldo - Back Bay Arcade
Charles David - Back Bay Arcade at Center Court
Florsheim - Boylston Arcade
Johnston & Murphy - Back Bay Arcade
Olympia Sports - Fashion Court
Books, Music, Video
Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Huntington Arcade
Gamestop - Boylston Arcade
Department Stores
Lord & Taylor - Newbury Arcade
Saks Fifth Avenue - Fashion Court or Back Bay Arcade
Eyewear
Optical Shop Of Aspen - Back Bay Arcade
Sunglass Hut - Back Bay Arcade
Gifts, Gadgets & Stationary
Crane & Co. - Back Bay Arcade at Bridge Court
FranklinCovey - Huntington Arcade
Levenger - Back Bay Arcade
Papyrus - Back Bay Arcade
Swarovski - Back Bay Arcade
Travel 2000 - Boylston Arcade
Health & Beauty
L'Occitane - Back Bay Arcade
Sephora - Boylston Arcade
The Body Shop - Boylston Arcade
Jewelry & Watches
Ross-Simons Jewelry - Back Bay Arcade
Restaurants & Specialty Foods
Cold Stone Creamery - Belvidere Street, Street Level
Dunkin Donuts - Hynes Court
Godiva - Boylston Arcade
Shaw's Supermarket - Huntington Avenue, Street Level
Teavana - Back Bay Arcade
Truffles Fine Confections - Boylston Arcade
Services
Louis Barry Florist - Boylston Arcade
Contact Information & Address:
Prudential Center
800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199
617.236.3100
prudentialcenter.com
