Boston, MA

I'm from Connecticut but visit Boston often since my in-laws live there. So what's the deal? If apartments go for $2500-3000 for a studio and there is a ton of foot traffic downtown for retail, why are there huge dead zones downtown? We recently stayed at the Langham and the surrounding area was DEAD on the weekend. The hotel was $570/night so clearly the area is very valuable property, yet there were very few businesses nearby, and most were closed since it was the weekend. Most places weren't open at all, and there are large buildings without even storefront space. And for as long as I can remember, Boylston has looked dead and depressing even though it's right next to the Common and should be incredibly valuable real estate. I feel like there should be more vitality on the street considering how much money and foot traffic is around downtown Boston but something is holding it back.