The Porter 156 building was formerly an industrial warehouse and then a manufacturing facility. The building remained vacant for eight years prior to the purchase by Atrium Lofts, LLC, a collaboration of Metric Corp. and ELV Associates Inc. Bargmann, Hendrie & Archetype Inc., a locally based architectural firm, designed the project.

Units at Porter 156 will range from 700 to 1,500 sf with prices ranging from the low $200,000s to the high $500,000s. The development team also worked in conjunction with the city to create an affordable housing component of as part of the city's inclusionary housing initiative. Construction is expected to finish in fall 2005.

The project is located three blocks from the MBTA Blue Line's Maverick Square T stop and adjacent to the new YMCA being built in Bremen Street Park as part of the Central Artery project, which is also creating a new 10-acre park. The nearby East Boston Stadium Memorial Park is also being expanded by seven acres. Clippership Wharf, a 400-unit condominium project, is being constructed on the East Boston waterfront. The $190-million, four-building complex is located on 12 acres near Maverick Square.