The warehouses, offices and hhops in this old waterfront district were rundown and deteriorating rapidly when, in the early 1970s, several people decided to open a few small restaurants and shops in the area. Other merchants followed suit, renovating neighboring buildings into attractive specialty shops, professional offices and living spaces. Stroll along Exchange, Millde and Fore Streets and admire the window displays, art galleries and craft shops, and try some of the dozens of restaurants in the area. The 19C architecture here highlights diverse styles and decorative brickwork.