The Artist Building at 300 Summer Street
300 Summer Street is a historic structure originally built for
Boston's wool trade. With large windows, abundant light, and views
of downtown Boston and the harbor, this building was perfectly
suited for conversion to artist lofts.
The Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC), a non-profit advocacy
organization for Boston's artists, in order to address the shortage of
legal, affordable artist live/work space, acquired 300 Summer
Street in 1992. Keen Development was hired as development
consultant and construction manager to convert the property into
48 live/work studios and 7 arts-related commercial condominiums.
The building also houses a cafe, arts-related businesses
and FPAC's gallery and office. The renovation scope was
extensive but held to a budget of less than $70 per square foot
(total development costs) to maintain affordability.
FPAC chose a limited equity cooperative form of homeownership
for the lofts, which accomplished several goals. It allowed the group
to restrict occupancy to visual artists and also ensured that purchase
prices would remain affordable over time. Although financing such
co-ops can be challenging, Keen secured construction and permanent
loans to complete the development. The result is a thriving arts
community within the Fort Point neighborhood.
300 Summer Street, Boston, MA
Developer
Consultant
Architect
Heder Architects, Inc.
Contractor
CWC Builders, Inc.
Management
Barkan Management Co.