To much of the civilized world--and for many years even to itself--Boston was about Brahmin modesty, good schools and bad fashion. The schools continue to flourish, but lately something has been changing. Fueled by an influx of high-concept architecture, luxury shopping and creative dining, the city is shedding its fusty image. With James Levine now leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a Mandarin Oriental Hotel scheduled to bless the skyline in 2008, it's hard to know where to begin gawking.
A good bet is the Institute of Contemporary Art (100 Northern Ave.; 617-478-3100; icaboston.org), which is set to open soon in a sleek building designed by New York-based architecture firm Diller Scofidio & Renfro. The ICA's glass walls showcase exhibits against the sparkling backdrop of Boston Harbor.
Fresh from a major $43 million renovation is the Four Seasons (200 Boylston St.; 617-338-4400; fourseasons.com). In the gleaming guest rooms, heavy draperies and bulky armoires have been replaced by Rivolta Carmignani linens and plasma TVs. Meanwhile, with its modern country design, Shaker furnishings and sexy red bar (above), the Charles Hotel (1 Bennett St.; 617-864-1200; charleshotel.com), on tweedy Harvard Square, proves that the idea of New England luxe isn't an oxymoron anymore. Its new Presidential Suite mixes locally crafted quilts with such worldly touches as a custom-made maple bed and a Bose surround-sound system.
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