The Canal District

Kelley Square Lofts sit right in the heart of the fastest-growing neighborhood in the City of Worcester, The Canal District, and right on one of the most storied intersections in all of western civilization, the legendary Kelley Square. There is a story here.

Named for the now defunct Blackstone Canal which still flows underneath Harding Street, The Canal District has experienced a notable renaissance over the last decade. Gradually developing as an active restaurant and bar scene, a recreational shopping destination, the neighborhood is now the hippest place with an attractive residential address. The once thriving, multi-ethnic, mixed-use neighborhood had drifted into decline in the latter part of the 20th century. Today, it has seen a re-birth fueled by the renovation of Union Station to its north, the dreams of the raising of the Blackstone Canal, and a remarkable aggregation of individual investment throughout the district. 

Over 50 eating and drinking establishments within walking distance now populate the district, which is conveniently adjacent to the city’s traditional downtown business area, the Theatre District and Shrewsbury Street’s restaurant row. The imminent arrival of the Red Sox to a new stadium on the edge of the district promises to further enhance its upward trajectory.

A COMMUTER’S DREAM

A generational tide of enthusiasm for the pleasures of city living has fueled re-investment in the inner cities across America. The Canal District combines the new urbanist ideals of neighborhood amenities within walking distance with convenient access to public transportation. Its convenient access to commuter rail service to Boston, Interstate 290 and The Mass Pike give it the most enviable location in central Mass. 

Minutes from UMASS Medical Center and Biotech Park as well as centrally located to over 10 world-class colleges and universities, Kelley Square Lofts sit at the hub of it all.  And the location is perfect for people with an active lifestyle and a love for nature: Twenty minutes in every direction, there is an array of hiking trails, skiing, rock climbing and biking.

Kelley Square Lofts offer a new standard of smart, contemporary city living.

Dining

The neighborhood is jamming with eateries and watering holes, with more on the way -- those that get “listed” all the time, and just as many hidden gems. If you’re craving lobster mofongo, khao soi, pho, shawarma, or molé, we’ve got authentic, homestyle perfection all over town. You want the finest craft brews? We have that those too. In the mood for the finest meatball sandwich, quite possibly in the world? It’s right up the hill. From historical diners to world-famous dives or the finest steak and seafood restaurants, the Canal district has it all; and the lofts sit right above the new Worcester Public Market, offering food vendors and restaurants of all sorts.

To discover our dynamic list of district restaurants and those all around the city, visit TasteWorcester.com.

To discover the 65 new food establishments citywide, check out this handy list-o via MassFoodies.com.

Shopping

The Canal District is also home to a growing array of upscale retail shops, many of which make their home in the adjacent Crompton Building, a former loom works dating back to 1860. The Crompton Collective describes itself as “a curated boutique marketplace”, brimming with handmade items and antiques. And you can find other amazing treasures in Seed to Stem a plant and lifestyle boutique whose atmosphere is so intoxicating and serene and you will never want to leave. Across the hall sits the Bedlam Book Cafe, combining curated used books with a real juice and coffee bar with a super cozy atmosphere, often featuring author and poet talks.

In the adjacent building you will find a home décor story called Birch Alley and the vintage pleasures of Alexis Grace Consignment.

Haberdash, located right in Crompton Place, is an upscale and on-trend clothing store featuring locally made jewelry.

Crompton collective

Curated antiques, collectables like cool vintage cameras and ephemera, handmade items, an award-winning event space and weekly farmers market with local fresh food products.

seed to stem

An immersive shop for the nature lover, complete with books, pottery, plants, curiosities—discover mind-expanding treasures and oddities from the garden, the wild and natural sciences.

Birch alley

A beautifully merchandised shop for the discriminating lover of savvy, smart-ass, whimsical treasures. From home decor, edible delights to naughty items, this shop is great for gift giving or “self-care”!

Entertainment

There is so much to do in Worcester that there is not enough space to list it, but we recommend investigating it all! The Worcester Art Museum, the EcoTarium, the Worcester Historical Museum, and the Worcester Center for Crafts offer family-oriented culture; and an array of galleries showcase local artistic offerings. And the homegrown music scene thrives throughout the Canal District and Worcester as a whole. 

In the summer months there are many concert series around the city. The Out to Lunch Concert Series, Brown Bag Concert Series at Mechanics Hall, ChamberFest Summer Concert Series, The Elm Park and Newton Square Music Series, Park Spirit Music Series and a slew of other spontaneous events. 

For a comprehensive list of all Central Mass events, visit DiscoverCentralMA.org

live music

Worcester is home to some of the most talented and celebrated musicians in the country, with innumerable establishments showcasing local talent across many genres. The Canal District offers Vincent’s for blues, Nick’s for jazz, the Electric Haze for jamming, and the legendary Hotel Vernon for an eclectic mix.

sports

Worcester has always been a sports crazy town, satisfying fans with games from the collegiate to the professional level. The Bravehearts play a full baseball schedule at their stadium at the College of the Holy Cross; and the Railers hockey team calls the DCU Center its home. And right around the corner, the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox will soon be calling the Canal District their home.

culture

Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts, Mechanics Hall, Tuckerman Hall, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Historical Museum and The American Antiquarian Society form the backbone of city culture; and at a more neighborhood level, the galleries and events abound, including the new JMAC Worcester Pop Up Gallery and Brick Box Theater.

Transportation

BY BUS: WRTA

he Worcester Regional Transit Authority serves Worcester and the surrounding communities with an all-electric fleet of buses. The second largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts, its hub sits adjacent to Union Station, at the head of the district, where one can connect to local taxi service, Amtrak and commuter rail.

BY TRAIN: MBTA

Union Station is the western terminus of commuter rail service to Framingham and Boston, featuring 20 trains a day in each direction. For scheduling information, visit MBTA.com

BY AIR: WORCESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT

Conveniently located within the city limits, Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) features JetBlue daily flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, as well as daily to their hub in New York City (JFK). American Airlines fly twice per day to their hub in Philadelphia; and Delta begins flights to Detroit this summer. For more information, visit flyORH.com.