FrontRow: It has been six months since the Flora Street Lofts, the privately-backed housing development slated to plop subsidized artist housing at the doorstep of pricey Museum Tower in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, received approval for $5 million in state housing credits. Today, project developers met with the Dallas City Council’s economic development committee to talk about tapping into the Downtown Connection/City Center TIF to obtain an additional $2 million in city funding which would go towards building out the development’s parking garage. It’s all part of the finishing touches on the funding plan (laid out here) that push Flora Street Lofts towards its May construction date. Nearby venues, museums, and event organizers will also be happy with the news that garage may add some additional reduced rate public use parking spaces to the district.
6 comments:
Without knowing much about the Dallas Arts District or the developers, it is hard to say if Flora Lofts is actually a positive project. On the plus side, this flips the traditional story of artists moving to derelict areas, making them desirable, and then gentrification making it so the artists can no longer afford to live in the neighborhoods they created. Also a plus, Flora Lofts are designed to obtain LEED gold. Unfortunately, from the building rendering alone, the design is underwhelming. However, looking at the context plan, there is only a narrow rectangular strip on which the proposed structure is to be sited. My first reaction is to ask, why build a brand new structure instead of renovating a vacant industrial building? Does it have to be sited right in the heart of the arts district? Also, if the building will indeed be new, why not shoot for LEED platinum? I would need to know more about both the arts scene and the architecture in Dallas to make an informed comment. For now, I will agree with Peter Simek’s caution that the development will only be successful if it attracts serious artists. I find it interesting that Flora Lofts are following the Artspace model, of which one of their projects is the Spinning Plate Lofts here in Pittsburgh. For a taste of a true artist community, check out the Los Angeles Brewery, celebrating their 30th year: http://labrewery.com/brewery/
This is a great initiative, but as the article points out, will there be a demand to meet the supply? Housing built specifically for artists sounds amazing on paper and shows the city's commitment to supporting the arts, but in practice it may not be all that ideal. I do think that there will be artists who will benefit from that opportunity, but there might others who might not find it appealing to them. I agree with the article that the major draw will be any studios and facilities that allow artists to work in the building.
I love the concept of having 39 artists living together under one roof. Typically in art districts housing is somewhat limited and if its available it is often over priced. The Floora Street lofts with provide housing to people of the same mindset and common interests. The environment of this building would be incredible for all these creative minds coming together could create some amazing art. I would love to live in this kind of housing at some point in my life. This idea is so unique and I just love the concept overall. I wonder if the demand is going to be great enough to get 39 "artists." It sounds like its hard to define what they consider to be an artist. Super creative concept and I would love to live there.
Go Texas! I didn't realize that Dallas really had a large cultural scene though. I agree that the breaking point for the development will be whether artists want to live there; artists that are doing significant and ground-breaking work. If the project does work out, the collaborations and relationships that could develop would be incredible. I am curious about the "artistic amenities" the article questions as well as if there is studio space separate from the living areas or if it's just one big room. I am also curious how affordable the housing will be but I am excited to see that the government is subsidizing it.
I think this project has the potential to do something really great for the culture of Dallas. However, the execution of the final steps of the project will have to be played out perfectly in order to make the initiative successful. I think when considering who will eventual live in the complex, there should be careful consideration of what type of artists live there and that there will be, hopefully, a lot of different artists. These complexes remind me of a sort of "utopian" society that will never work; hopefully there is more hope for these artists.
I always get really excited thing about possibly living in an "Artist Loft" (whether I make my own "loft" or do find one already ready) once I have a stable grounding in my career. However, I find it a bit disconcerting that the Flora Lofts are looking for "serious artists" to live there. Serious as in locally well known? Serious as in they have a steady income? Or serious as in people in Russia know who they are? I think if they are open to newer artists and have an open mind about "serious artists" they won't have a problem being successful.
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