The city apparently was a co-developer of Rowes Wharf. According to the Herald, Rowes Wharf was previously a parking lot.
This was part of my post from the other day on the "Aerials" thread. It's from 1976. I found it on flickr, and wasn't even born yet when it was taken.
towers by Boston inner harbor, from Liberty Square, Boston, MA by Dave MacKenzie, on Flickr