Photo of the exterior of the Artist Building at 300 Summer.

Features

Atrium space at the Artist Building at 300 Summer

  • 48 primary residence artist live-work spaces ranging from ~900–2600 s.f. 

  • 7 commercial condominium arts-related spaces 

  • Nine-story building built 1898, brick, concrete and steel beam construction 

  • Passenger elevator + ADA-compliant freight elevator 

  • Café/atrium space and art gallery owned by the cooperative 

  • Laundry room 

  • Roof deck 

  • Storage/darkroom spaces

There is no deeded parking associated with the building.

Maintenance and Capital Improvements

Rear of 300 Summer Street, Boston

Rear view of 300 Summer St. showing north elevation rainscreen (photo via Berkeley Building Company)

We take care of our beautiful landmarked 1898 building! In 2021, we incorporated a policy to bulk up our capital reserve fund for major building-related upgrades. In addition, we focus on preventative maintenance and in-house monitoring of utility services for more accurate budgeting.

Work we have done since we purchased and developed the building in 1995: 

2007-2008:  

  • ROOF: New roof, roof deck, and related roof structures 

  • NORTH ELEVATION: Masonry repointed, replaced most windows and sealant on floors 4-7, replaced floor-to-ceiling windows on eight floors 

  • EAST ELEVATION: Partial masonry pointing, steel lintels removed/repaired 

  • SOUTH ELEVATION: Partial masonry pointing and metal fascia repair  

2014-2015:  

  • MAKEUP AIR: Improved air ventilation in mezzanine atrium/kitchen 

  • UPDATED LAUNDRY ROOM:  New high-efficiency washers and dryers 

  • LIGHTING: New energy-efficient LED lighting added throughout common areas of building 

  • BATHROOMS: Remodeled mezzanine-level bathrooms  

2017-2022:  

  • NORTH ELEVATION:  Landmarks-approved rainscreen added to protect against nor’easters 

  • EAST ELEVATION: Window replacement, masonry pointing, cornice repair  

  • NEW HVAC SYSTEM (heating/cooling):  Four new energy efficient boilers, new fan coil units in every space, new roof chiller  

  • CLIMATE RESILIENCY:  New boilers installed on mezzanine level instead of basement 

  • ELEVATORS: Major upgrades for freight and passenger elevators  

  • BASEMENT: Repaired and painted halls; added new lighting; converted old boiler room to facilities manager office/workshop 

  • BATHROOMS: Remodeled basement and first floor bathrooms 

  • SECURITY: Added new ButterflyMX Entry System and security camera in main entry  

Ongoing: 

  • The entire façade is inspected every 5 years as required by law.  

Location

300 Summer Street, located in Boston’s vibrant Fort Point neighborhood near South Station, has high walkability, bike, and transit marks. 

The building is near: 

  • South Station - Amtrak, MBTA Subway and Commuter Rail, regional and national bus service 

  • Interstates 90 and 93 

  • Harborwalk and waterfront 

  • Downtown Boston and Seaport District 

  • Logan Airport 

  • Institute of Contemporary Art 

  • Grocery stores, restaurants, retail, etc. 

Cooperative History

To address the shortage of legal artist live/work space available at below-market rates, the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC), a non-profit advocacy organization for Boston’s artists, acquired 300 Summer Street in 1992. Keen Development was hired as development consultant and construction manager to convert the property into 48 primary residence live/work studios and 7 arts-related commercial condominiums. The renovation scope was extensive but held to a budget of less than $70 per square foot (total development costs). 

FPAC chose a limited equity cooperative form of homeownership (one share of stock and proprietary lease per member) for the lofts, which allowed the group to restrict occupancy to visual artists and also ensured that share prices would remain at less than market rate over time. Although financing such co-ops can be challenging, Keen secured construction and permanent loans to complete the development. The result was the opening in November 1995 of a thriving artist-owned building. 

Developer: Fort Point Arts Community  
Consultant: Keen Development Corporation  
Architect: Heder Architects, Inc. 
Contractor: CWC Builders, Inc. 

Read more: Lofty living for artists: Planned warehouse renovation is aimed at legalizing their lifestyle (PDF) — Boston Globe, 27 June 1993

Building History

300 Summer Street c. 1902-1907; Jeremiah Williams and Co., wool. Boston Wharf Co. Photo. Boston Public Library collection

The building at 300 Summer Street is a historic structure originally built for Boston’s wool trade in 1898 by the Boston Wharf Company. With large windows, abundant light, and views of downtown Boston and the harbor, the building was perfectly suited for conversion to artist lofts. 

As a steel frame/concrete high rise with neoclassical masonry architectural features, it is relatively unique compared to many other warehouses of its era. Other features include: an exposed foundation wall in the atrium that dates from the days of filling the “South Boston Flats;” iron beam clamps from which once hung bales of wool; and a vaulted tiled ceiling in the main residential stairwell designed by architect and builder Rafael Guastavino (1842-1908). 

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