Porter Square
42°23′19″N 71°07′10″W / 42.3886°N 71.1194°W
Porter Square is a neighborhood in
In 2004–06 the principal intersection, including the area adjacent to the shopping center, underwent extensive construction both to improve access for vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and mass transit users, and to improve drainage and storm water conditions. The artist Toshihiro Katayama[1] of Harvard University, in conjunction with the landscape architect Cynthia Smith,[2] designed a new visual look for the new circulation design, including contrasting light and dark concrete paving, stone walls and boulders.[3]
History
Previously called Union Square, Porter Square was renamed in 1899 for the now-vanished Porter's Hotel, operated by Zachariah B. Porter, who also left his name to the hotel's specialty, the cut of steak known as
In 1984 the
Lesley University
Lesley University continues to expand in the Porter Square neighborhood, with the relocation of its College of Art and Design to the
In addition to University Hall at 1815 Massachusetts Avenue and the Lunder Arts Center at 1801 Massachusetts Avenue, Lesley also has administrative offices at 815 Somerville Avenue and parking areas across Massachusetts Avenue from University Hall.[7]
Shopping
Porter Square Shopping Center
The Porter Square Shopping Center consists of two buildings and a parking lot. As of July 2017, it is home to the following stores & eateries:
Main Building
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CVS Building
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Porter Square Galleria
Adjacent to the Porter Square Shopping Center is a small mall called the Porter Square Galleria. In recent years it has lost several large tenants.[8][9][10] A Target is being built in the space formerly occupied by Walgreens. As of September 2018, it is home to:
- Anna's Taqueria
- Sprint
- Parelli Optical
The Shops at Porter and local "Japantown"
A prominent feature of the Porter Square skyline is the tower on the
Porter Square and The Shops at Porter have a recent history of being a center for Boston's Japanese community. In May 2009, Lesley University ousted Kotobukiya, a Japanese grocery store, from The Shops at Porter, after 20 years in business there. Lesley wanted the space to expand its bookstore.[13][14][15]
As of July 2017, The Shops at Porter is home to many Japanese eateries and businesses. Izakaya Ittoku and Shaking Crab are full-size restaurants, and the other eateries are located in a food court-like area with limited seating.
Eateries
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Stores
Other businesses
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Other restaurants
Other restaurants in the area (as of July 2017) include:
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References
- ^ "toshihiro katayama". People.fas.harvard.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Halvorson Design Partnership - People - Cynthia W. Smith ASLA Vice President". Halvorsondesign.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Architecturally Speaking by Gary Wang". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ ISBN 0-262-53032-5, Cambridge Historical Commission, Cambridge, Massachusetts. pp. 164-65
- ^ "Susumu Shingu". Susumu Shingu. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ Lunder Arts Center Archived 2015-04-16 at the Wayback Machine Access date 2013-12-17
- ^ "Lesley University Campus Map". Archived from the original on 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
- ^ "Porter Square losing Blockbuster; first, though, a clearance sale!". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Pizzeria Uno closes in Porter Square". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Porter Square Galleria loses third large tenant in Jennifer Convertibles". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ WROBLEWSKI, DANIEL B. (July 9, 1985). "Sears Will Close Down Its Porter Square Store". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
- ^ "Writing about a building is not easy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Farewell Kotobukiya". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
- ^ "Little Japan" to lose its center
- ^ "Digest of News Clippings 04/22/09 to 05/05/09" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
- ^ "Bookings at Toad". Retrieved 2011-08-13.
External links
- Description of Porter Square design project from Cambridge Arts Council
- PSNA Porter Square Neighbors Association