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Trolley Square Cambridge, MA

EDITOR'S DESIGN CHOICE

The historic use of the Trolley Square site was for trolley car storage and repair. The City of Cambridge commissioned artists to create public art for the site, including a trolley wheel sculpture. Image courtesy of Joel Howe and Davis Square Architects

The Trolley Square development has 32 affordable rental units and 8 units that were sold to first-time homebuyers. Image courtesy of Joel Howe and Davis Square Architects

Trolley Square includes commercial space and a corner park, the edge of which is defined by a curvilinear sculptural wall known as Water Wall. Image courtesy of Joel Howe and Davis Square Architects

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In the early 1900s, the corner of Massachusetts and Cameron Avenues in North Cambridge is where trolleys for the original Boston street car system were stored and repaired. A hundred years later, the site has been given new life as a development named Trolley Square.

The Trolley Square development has 32 affordable rental units, 8 units sold to first-time homebuyers, commercial space, and a 42-space underground parking garage. The homes at Trolley Square open directly to the street or onto a central plaza with gardens and seating. All were built to achieve Energy Star Home standards.

The corner of the Trolley Square site includes a park designed by the City of Cambridge in collaboration with neighborhood residents. A curvilinear sculptural wall made of perforated steel, designed by artist Nancy Selvage, shelters a seating alcove in the park and also serves as a landmark at the street corner.

Trolley Square is located along the Minuteman Bikeway, “America’s revolutionary rail-trail,” an 11-mile pedestrian and bike path that spans four communities. Trolley Square also has easy access to the subway and bus system, and neighborhood shops are located in close proximity.