Live/Work Market Analysis

Yesterday we visited the Palisade Street Studios as part of the River Arts Studio Tour.  The building used to house the old Anchor Brewery and has since been converted into studios that offer raw space to an eclectic array of artists.

We got to see works that include:

Kumiko Buller - pastel portraiture

Eleanor Goldstein - Oil, Pastel and Prints - she works with light in coastal areas

Vicente Saavedra - Oil Paintings - he creates geometric based compositions with a palette knife

Norman Sussman - Oil and Acrylic - posters and landscapes

Despite viewing only a small percentage of the amazing talent in the area, we were impressed with the variety of expression from artists in these small towns.  It's a relief to be moving into an area that fosters the arts. 

While at the tour, we did a little market analysis and asked people for their thoughts on our proposed live/work lofts (see sample plan below).  We got some valuable information and suggestions, which include:

• Rent out the whole ground floor for use as headquarters for the non-profit organization,  Rivertowns Arts Council.
• Shift away from artists because of the easy availability and low pricing at the Palisade Street Studios.  
• Alternately, we received positive feedback that artists might be interested in our loft because it would be newer and more comfortable, it might be an advantage to live and work in the same space, and some artists may want a main street presence. 
• Switch from artists to small businesses because they would more likely want to be downtown with the easier access and the walk-in traffic that it offers.
• We discussed the need for earthquake reinforcing with Michael Lewis Architects, who suggested that we might utilize pre-fab steel frames from Simpson Strong Tie Company.