Get quick answers to common questions about Chroma so you can make your apartment search with confidence.
General Community Information
Chroma offers 23 stylish floor plans spanning studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms in our Cambridge, MA apartment community. Select units feature townhouse-style layouts with private patios, giving residents a rare multi-level living experience in the heart of Cambridgeport. Apartment sizes range from approximately 484 square feet for studios up to larger multi-bedroom configurations, all with 9-foot ceilings and oversized windows. Visit our floorplans page or contact our leasing team at 617-431-4348 to see what is currently available.
Yes, Chroma is a pet-friendly community and we genuinely love our resident pets at our Cambridge, MA apartments. We welcome both cats and dogs, with a combined weight limit of 100 lbs and a maximum of two pets per apartment. Breed restrictions apply, and pet rent is charged monthly per pet. Nearby dog parks within walking distance are a major draw for residents with dogs, and our landscaped courtyard and outdoor spaces give pets room to enjoy. Contact our leasing team to confirm current breed and weight policies before applying.
You can apply directly through the Apply Today link on our website, which connects to our secure online leasing portal. The application process typically includes a credit check, background check, and proof of income. Our leasing office is available by phone at 617-431-4348, and we offer in-person guided tours, virtual tours, and self-guided tours so you can explore Chroma at your own pace. Our team will walk you through every step from your first visit to your move-in day at our Cambridgeport Cambridge, MA apartments.
Yes, furnished apartment options are available at Chroma through our partnership with CORT Furniture Rental. This is an excellent option for corporate relocations, visiting researchers, medical professionals on rotation at nearby hospitals, or anyone moving to Cambridge, MA who wants a completely move-in-ready home. Contact our leasing team directly for current furnished availability and pricing. It is one of the features that makes Chroma a flexible choice for the wide range of professionals and academics who call our community home.
Chroma stands out in the Cambridge, MA apartment market for its combination of colorful, thoughtfully designed spaces, smart home features including Nest thermostats, sustainability-forward design with recycled glass countertops and high-efficiency fixtures, and a uniquely intimate community of 96 homes. The community has earned ORA Award recognition for resident satisfaction, and it is home to long-term residents who have stayed for nearly a decade, a testament to the quality of management and the appeal of the location. Sitting in Cambridgeport with easy access to MIT, Kendall Square, Harvard, and Central Square, Chroma offers a Cambridge experience that feels both connected and calm.
Amenities & Lifestyle
Chroma offers a carefully curated suite of community and in-unit amenities. Community highlights include a rooftop deck with views of Kendall Square and the Boston skyline, Club Chroma lounge with a fireplace and pool table, the FitZone fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, a landscaped courtyard with walking paths, community gardens by Green City Growers, Wi-Fi in all common areas, underground garage and bicycle parking, EV charging stations, a Cycle Clinic bicycle repair station, courtesy loaner bikes, additional storage, and regular community events and gatherings. In-unit features include smart home technology such as Nest thermostats in select units, European-style kitchen cabinets, GE stainless steel appliances, recycled glass countertops in select units, in-home washer and dryer, plank wood-style flooring, 9-foot ceilings, and townhouse-style apartments with private patios in select homes. Visit our amenities page or schedule a tour to experience Chroma for yourself.
Yes, outdoor living is a genuine strength of Chroma. Our landscaped courtyard features manicured grounds and walking paths that give residents a peaceful retreat steps from their front door. The rooftop deck offers stunning views of Kendall Square and the Boston skyline with grills for resident use. Our community gardens, run in partnership with Green City Growers, let residents grow their own organic produce right on site. Courtesy loaner bikes and a Cycle Clinic repair station make it easy to get out and explore the Charles River paths and Magazine Beach Park just down the street. For renters seeking Cambridge, MA apartments that balance urban access with green living, Chroma delivers.
Chroma was designed with sustainability and active living in mind. The community features a Cycle Clinic bicycle repair station, complimentary bike storage, courtesy loaner bikes, EV charging stations, high-efficiency lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures, and optional recycled glass countertops. The Cambridgeport location places residents steps from the Paul Dudley White Bike Path along the Charles River, one of the most scenic and popular cycling corridors in greater Boston. With a neighborhood Bike Score of 99, Chroma's Cambridge, MA apartments are an ideal base for residents who want to reduce their car dependence and live more sustainably.
Yes, Chroma regularly organizes community events and gatherings to help residents connect with one another. Past events have included resident socials on the rooftop deck, seasonal celebrations, and programming through the Doorbell resident app. The on-site Green City Growers garden program also provides a shared, hands-on experience for residents who want to grow fresh produce together. Long-term residents consistently cite the friendly, welcoming community atmosphere and the responsive team as among their favorite things about living at our Cambridge, MA apartments.
Resident Resources
Trash removal is included in rent at Chroma. Residents are responsible for arranging their own electricity, gas, and other utilities. We recommend contacting our leasing team for a complete and current breakdown of what is and is not included before signing your lease, as terms can vary by unit type. Our team is happy to walk you through the full picture so you know exactly what to expect when you move in to your Cambridge, MA apartment.
Renters insurance is strongly encouraged and is standard practice at professionally managed communities like Chroma. A basic policy covers personal property loss, theft, and liability at a typically affordable monthly cost. Contact our leasing team to confirm our specific requirements, which are outlined in your lease agreement. It is a smart, low-cost way to protect your belongings and give yourself genuine peace of mind in your Cambridge, MA apartment home.
Location & Neighborhood
Chroma is located at 240 Sidney Street in the Cambridgeport neighborhood of Cambridge, MA 02139, directly across from a neighborhood park and within easy walking distance of MIT, Kendall Square, Central Square, Magazine Beach Park, and the Charles River. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Target are all within a short walk or bike ride. The MBTA Red Line is accessible at Central Square and Kendall/MIT stations, and the Green Line is also reachable. For anyone seeking Cambridge, MA apartments that balance quiet residential streets with proximity to world-class research, dining, and transit, Chroma's location is exceptional.
Cambridgeport is one of Cambridge's most beloved residential neighborhoods, known for its tree-lined streets, Victorian-era homes, historic architecture, and genuine neighborhood character. Bordered by the Charles River and Magazine Beach to the south and the active commercial corridors of Central and Kendall Squares to the north, Cambridgeport residents enjoy a rare combination of quiet residential life and easy access to Cambridge's innovation hubs. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 92 and a Bike Score of 99, and Memorial Drive along the river closes to cars every Sunday from spring through fall for cyclists, joggers, and strollers. Residents describe it as a place that feels both intimate and deeply connected to all that Cambridge, MA offers.
Chroma's Cambridgeport location puts residents within easy reach of some of Cambridge's best dining and retail. Nearby favorites include Flour Bakery and Cafe, Viale, Little Donkey, Cambridge Brewing Company, Catalyst, Naco Taco, and 730 Tavern. For coffee, Peet's Coffee, Area Four, and Café Luna are all close by. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Target cover everyday shopping needs. Magazine Beach Park, right down the street, offers a free outdoor pool, walking paths, a canoe launch, and Mass Audubon nature programming throughout the warmer months. Central Square's vibrant music venues, bars, and eclectic dining are a short walk away, and Kendall Square's world-class restaurant scene is equally accessible.
Chroma sits approximately a half-mile from MIT's main campus and is within easy walking or cycling distance of Kendall Square, which is the heart of Cambridge's biotech and technology ecosystem. Harvard University and Harvard Square are accessible via the Red Line or by bike along the river. The Longwood Medical Area, home to Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is a short Red Line or cross-river bike ride away. For graduate students, researchers, and professionals at Cambridge's many world-renowned institutions, Chroma's Cambridge, MA apartments offer an ideal location to live, work, and explore.
Parking & Transportation
Yes, Chroma offers underground garage parking as well as bicycle parking for residents at our Cambridge, MA apartments. Multiple EV charging stations are also available on site for electric vehicle owners. Underground parking is particularly valued in Cambridge, where street parking is limited and permit-regulated. Contact our leasing team for current parking availability and how to add it to your lease. We also offer courtesy loaner bikes for residents who want to explore the neighborhood and the Charles River paths without a car.
Chroma's Cambridgeport location offers strong transit and cycling options for car-free or car-light living. Central Square MBTA Red Line station is approximately a 10-minute walk, connecting residents directly to downtown Boston, Harvard Square, Kendall Square, Alewife, and South Station. The Green Line is also accessible nearby. Multiple bus routes serve the area as well. For cyclists, the Paul Dudley White Bike Path runs along the Charles River just minutes from Chroma, and Memorial Drive closes to cars every Sunday for a traffic-free ride. The neighborhood's Bike Score of 99 reflects just how cyclist-friendly our Cambridge, MA location truly is.
Chroma is exceptionally well-positioned for commuters in any of these directions. MIT's campus is a short walk or bike ride away, and Kendall Square's concentration of biotech, tech, and research employers is similarly close. Downtown Boston is roughly a 20-minute Red Line ride from Central Square. The Charles River paths and Bluebikes stations nearby make cycling commutes easy and enjoyable for those who prefer to get to work by bike. For professionals and researchers at Cambridge's institutions, our Cambridge, MA apartments offer a home base that makes daily commuting genuinely effortless.
Maintenance & Services
Chroma is professionally managed by National Development and carries a 4.9-star rating across resident review platforms. Residents consistently praise both the leasing team and the maintenance staff for their responsiveness, professionalism, and genuine care. One resident has lived at Chroma for nearly nine years and describes the maintenance team as a consistent and valuable resource throughout their stay. Maintenance requests are typically fulfilled within 24 hours, and the office team is described as communicative and approachable. For anyone seeking Cambridge, MA apartments backed by an attentive, award-recognized management team, Chroma delivers a community that puts residents first.