If Oakland wants to build more family friendly affordable artist housing, we don’t have to start from scratch. Other cities have been creating a range of developments that integrate family friendly affordable housing with artist housing. We can learn from them. Here are four developments that we'd like to learn more about. Did they live up to their promise?
Artspace Tannery Lofts - Santa Cruz, CA
Artspace Tannery Lofts has over 100 units of new affordable housing for individual artists and their families. The Lofts include studio, one, two and three bedroom units. Read or listen to KQED's Jan 2016 story on the these Lofts.
Artspace Jackson Flats - Minneapolis, MN
A 35-unit affordable rental housing project for artists and their families, by Artspace, in partnership with Northeast Community Development Corporation.
Designed with an emphasis on families, Artspace Jackson Flats features more two- and three-bedroom units than traditional developments and has a open green space with a playground.
According to the Line, "Children can often lend to the creative and collaborative environment Artspace seeks to foster. Kids are often the first to break down communication walls, running through the halls and forming relationships with other children in the building."
Designed with an emphasis on families, Artspace Jackson Flats features more two- and three-bedroom units than traditional developments and has a open green space with a playground.
According to the Line, "Children can often lend to the creative and collaborative environment Artspace seeks to foster. Kids are often the first to break down communication walls, running through the halls and forming relationships with other children in the building."
653 Artist Lofts - St. Paul MN
| A former factory now houses 36 affordable live/work units (all two or three bedrooms) created especially for for artists and their families. Residents enjoy a shared garden, children’s play area and a gallery where tenants exhibit their work. | |
Elgin Artspace Lofts - Elgin, IL
According the project's website, Elgin Arstpace Lofts is a mixed-use project with 55 units of affordable live/work space, and a kid-friendly tot-lot "for artists and their families plus retail and community space for arts-friendly businesses and nonprofit organizations. The City of Elgin and the Elgin arts community were the driving forces behind the project, working with Artspace to plan and develop the facility. Elgin’s residents and civic leaders believe that permanently affordable space for artists will strengthen an emerging arts and culture cluster in downtown Elgin, serve as a catalyst for continued development, bring vibrancy and activity to the street and increase the number of individuals and families living and working downtown."
ACE/121 - Glendale, CA
| AACE/121 serves Households earning between 30 and 60 percent of the Los Angeles County medium, with one, two, and three-bedroom apartments available at affordable rents. Amenities include a computer room, community room and courtyard. |  |