The Port Real Estate
The Port, or “Area Four," is a densely populated neighborhood in Cambridge located between Central and Kendall Squares. At one time, the neighborhood was recognized as one of Cambridge’s most diverse communities. Today, the area is largely residential but still features a cluster of low-key pubs, late-night eateries, and musical venues. The Port’s 7,000 residents enjoy the area’s many lunch spots and pizza joints as well as the science, industry, and art available at the nearby MIT Museum. Much of the Port lies in Central Square with the main commercial strip along Massachusetts Avenue. The former industrial center near the railroad is now home to high-tech labs and offices as well as facilities for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The balance of the neighborhood is residential and traditionally has been more affordable than other Cambridge neighborhoods although gentrification has resulted in rapidly appreciating prices. Properties range from condos and multi-families to newer town homes. Read more about The Port real estate.
The Port Homes & Condos For Sale
More About The Port Real Estate
The Port Location
The Port is bounded on the north by Hampshire Street; to the south by Massachusetts Avenue; to the east by the Grand Junction Railroad Tracks; and to the west by Prospect Street. The neighborhood is served by the Central Square MBTA Stop on the Red Line and is also within walking distance of the Kendall Square Station.
The Port History
Similar to many of Cambridge’s neighborhoods, the Port was formerly a marshy area. After the filling in of Boston’s Back Bay and Charles River marshes, the name “Cambridgeport” went to what is now Area 5 where the waterfront is located. For decades Area 4 languished without a name although local residents referred to it as “the Port,” before town officials formalized the name in the 1980s. The nickname was a throwback to the 1950s when the entire area was part of Cambridgeport.
The Port claims a historic connection to the invention of the telephone. An office building served as the site of the first reciprocal telephone conversation, which took place between Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson in 1876. The Port was also an early hub for the manufacturing of candy, starting in the early 1800s. Notable facilities included Cambridge Brands, the makers of Junior Mints, and the Necco factory located across Massachusetts Avenue.
