Porter Square

[4] The square, formerly flanked by cattle yards that used the Porter rail head to transport their beef throughout the US, was an important center for commerce and light industry as early as the late 18th century.

[4] In 1984 the Red Line was extended from Harvard through Porter and Davis Square to its present terminus at Alewife, a project that also left Porter with its most visible landmark, Susumu Shingu's[5] 46-foot painted steel and aluminum kinetic sculpture entitled Gift of the Wind.

As of September 2018, it is home to: A prominent feature of the Porter Square skyline is the tower on the Art Deco-style building located at 1815 Massachusetts Avenue.

In May 2009, Lesley University ousted Kotobukiya, a Japanese grocery store, from The Shops at Porter, after 20 years in business there.

Izakaya Ittoku and Shaking Crab are full-size restaurants, and the other eateries are located in a food court-like area with limited seating.

Porter Square, looking south. The Gift of the Wind kinetic sculpture, the most prominent landmark of the square, is on the center-left.
The Rand Estate, on site of what is now Porter Square Shopping Center, 1900 or earlier
Workers prepare to relocate the North Prospect Church, future home of Lesley University's College of Art and Design
Porter Square Shopping Center, 2009
University Hall