Old Factories don't die...just change hands

It just seems to be inevitable these days.

Old buildings that no longer serve their original purposes (such as warehousing, light manufacturing), sit fallow in empty post-industrial neighborhoods, begin to fall apart, decay beyond repair and maybe become studios for artists.

Then the neighborhood begins to change. The economy improves. Crime drops. The artists open their studios once a year for the public. Young professionals visit to see the edgy work. Young professionals move in down the street. Property values skyrocket.

Building ends up being for sale.

But this story has a twist.

The old packing box factory, on Union and Nevins a block away from the Union Street Bridge, has housed artists for nearly two decades. On each of the four floors, six to eight artists created Gowanus inspired work in their own sun drenched studios. Since 1997, they have opened their spaces to visitors like myself and I love the annual pilgrimage to the wonderful space, where artists really work and don't just pose.

Now it was available. How sad I thought when I entered a studio sale, where the artists were selling not art but the contents (furniture and tools) of their studio. They were about to leave. But what happened? Who bought it?

It turns out it was the artists themselves. Or at least 15 of them. Developed like a coop, the newly formed LLC got together when the artists (many of whom have been there for nearly two decades) decided to make an offer to the seller. They raised up to three million dollars and bought the building. Many of the artists who could not afford to purchase are continuing to rent, but now from other artists.

I found this inspiring especially when it seems that every story about development includes that inevitable building that loses the artists and flips into condos. Marion Lerner-Levine, a painter and printmaker, who purchased about 500 square feet, said it was rare that a group of people in the city could come together and make it happen. Her smile widened when another group of well-dressed potential buyers crossed her threshold.

Some artists I liked:

Jennifer Bevill collaged fabrics and silk screened photos and text. The one (Missing 2003: female maladies - my favorite!) I wanted to buy was purchased moments before I asked.

Sarah O'Connell's topographical acrylic paintings.

Joni Sterbach's wet plate photography.