Artists Welcome: Brookland Artspace Lofts Open

• October 26th 2011

by Shilpi Paul

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Brookland Artspace Lofts celebrated its grand opening last night, and visitors to the new development were able to wander through the downstairs gallery and explore several of the live/work loft spaces.

The 41-loft complex, designed by Hickok Cole Architects, has a dance and music rehearsal studio with some space reserved for Dance Place, a modern dance arts and education organization. There is also a green roof, underground parking and wide hallways with oversized elevators so that large art can be transported easily within the building. It is located at 3305 8th Street NE (map).

Mayor Vincent Gray along with several officials from the Department of Housing and Community Development, which contributed $10.4 million in stimulus funding for the $13.2 million space and granted the project a Neighborhood Initiative Grant, welcomed attendees.

“Hopefully, we can attract more people who are creative to our city,” Gray said. “I hope this sets the tone.”

All 41 live-work spaces are currently occupied, with 39 going to artists, including photographers, painters, poets and playwrights, making 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). The charts below, provided courtesy of Artspace, put some real meaning to that AMI percentage:

The loft offerings range from studios to two bedrooms, all with open spaces, high ceilings and room enough to live and create art. The building has many common areas as well and residents like Reggie, a photographer, says that the occupants have already started collaborating with one another.

Kymone, an award-winning playwright who also lives at the lofts, thanked those at the opening for supporting artists.

“Creativity and innovation is the source where all revolutionary ideas come from. These projects make our voices heard.”

More photos of the lofts below.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/artists_welcome_brookland_artspace_lofts_opens/4443.