Joshua Bates Art Center

Designed by Arthur H. Vinal, a prominent Boston architect, and built in 1884, this former grade school was named after Joshua Bates, a Boston financier and philanthropist.  It was converted from a school into artist studio space more than two decades ago.  Today the photographers, painters, sculptors and video artists in residence are an integral part of the South End's arts community.  The refinancing and renovation led by New Atlantic Development added life safety upgrades, a new elevator and other accessibility improvements, and repairs to the roof and facade.  More importantly, the ownership and operating structure of this cultural asset has been restructured to provide long term affordability and participation in management decisions on the part of the artist tenants.  The historic building is the centerpiece of ArtBlock, a three building community-of-the-arts that includes a cooperative gallery, twenty-six affordable live/work lofts, and twenty-eight market rate condominiums.  Funding for the Bates included federal historic tax credit equity from Wainwright Bank and a deferred repayment loan from the Boston Redevelopment Authority.  ICON architecture, inc. served as project architect and CWC Builders, Inc. was the general contractor.  Renovations were completed at the end of 2005.