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Website: www.fortpointdc.com
Twenty-five ago, artists began to set up studios in the
underutilized warehouses of Boston's Fort Point neighborhood. The
area was transformed into a flourishing arts district that was home to
more than 500 visual artists, arts organizations, and arts-related
businesses. But in recent years, the economics of Fort Point have
changed given the new Convention Center and other plans for the
South Boston Waterfront. Such changes have created development
pressures that have already displaced many artists and cultural
organizations from Fort Point.
In 1999, a group of neighborhood artists and non-profit arts
organizations joined together to form the Fort Point Cultural
Coalition (FPCC) to respond to this crisis. In 2003, FPCC joined
forces with Keen Development Corporation, a for-profit developer with longstanding
ties to Boston's arts community through its work in support of the
artists' live/work cooperatives at the Fenway Studios, 300 Summer
Street, and other sites. The two organizations formed a joint
venture, the Fort Point Development Collaborative, to create
permanent, affordable artist live/work space and cultural
facilities in Fort Point. Midway Studios is the product of this
partnership.
The three warehouses comprising Midway Studios are considered
contributing buildings within the Fort Point Channel Historic
District (which FPDC helped nominate for listing). This complex
was originally constructed between 1910-1914 by the Boston Wharf
Company as warehouses for the trade in wool, sugar and lumber.
The renovation of Midway Studios has preserved as much of the
buildings' original detail as possible, while adapting these
worthy structures for live/work studios and other arts-related
space.
Midway Studios houses 89 artist live/work lofts as well as
commercial offices, a gallery/café, and a 200-seat performance
center on the ground floor. The studios range in size from 914
square feet to 2,325 square feet, with an average size of 1,350
square feet. Studios are available only to certified working
artists across a range of incomes. A variety of floor plans are
offered, including duplex studios. All of the studios have fully
applianced kitchens and baths, and feature individually controlled
heating and air conditioning. The former freight elevator shafts
and fire doors have been retained in many of the apartments, serving
to create unique spaces within the live/work space.
Construction was completed in Spring 2005. For residential
leasing, please contact Toya Irish of HallKeen Management at
(617) 946-4630 or
tirish@hallkeen.com.
For information about commercial leasing, including the café
and the performance space, please contact Eric Ekman of Keen
Development at eric@keencorp.com.
The performance space is currently available for special events.
Development Team
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