You’ve got to love a city where being a starving artist can get you some fantastic perks. An affordable ($547 per month!) AS220 live/work studio designed by DBVW Architects and located right in the heart of Downtown Providence is becoming available to rent on September 15.
The catch? The unit is pretty cozy at only 424 square feet and has been set aside as affordable housing for artists with an income of less than $25,600 per year. Tenants must give 5 hours of community service each month to AS220 (an awesome non-profit arts organization) and, sadly, no pets are allowed. But, heat, hot water, AC, internet, and access to a shared print studio are all included. If you qualify, that’s a pretty sweet deal.
The studios are located in the Dreyfus building, which was built in the late 19th century as a hotel for traveling salesman and was carefully restored by Durkee Brown Viveiros Werenfels Architects. Visit AS220.org for more information and to download a rental application.
(Images: Glenn Turner)





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Wow, the windows are gorgeous, but I am not into the bed next to kitchen at all. I'm guessing there may be another good place for it in this unit.
Wow, I'm jealous of the creative type who gets this space. AS220 is a great organization and DBVW is a great preservation-architecture firm.
What a great program!!
Almost makes me want to become a starving artist...
That first image is so dreamy. This is one of the nicest studios I've ever seen.
I could almost swear that I've been in that building before. It think it used to be a dormitory for Johnson & Wales College, before it was a University. This was way back in the 80s, but from Google Maps it looks like the same location as the all women's dorm downtown. Crazy
Agreed that DBVW do great adaptive use projects; glad to see them featured here on AT!
Dammmmmmit. Want.
Bed next to the kitchen wouldn't work but these are gorgeous spaces and sounds like a fantastic program!
Do I spy a dirt-cheap ($40) Ikea Tolga platform bedframe, topped with a mattress and then a line of pillows, being used as a couch? I believe I do, and I think it's genius!
i qualify as both a starving artist and (very saddly) the money, but am in Denver... don't think i even have the money to apply for one of these beautiful places let alone move out there. but they are beautiful, and my living room walls are that lovely yellow color. it's just such a peaceful color, i love it.