Q: I've been an avid follower of your site for 3 years now and it was a major inspiration for my apartment in Chicago. I've recently gotten the urge to move to a new place but I'm having trouble finding resources on the particular type of apartment I'm looking for.
I'm an engineer by profession but an avid welder, motorcycle builder and electronics hobbyist when I get home from work. I'm looking for a place that will allow me to essentially weld, hammer, make noise, entertain, show off and be creative in. One solution is to have a separate workshop but having one attached or a part of my apartment would be amazing. The only type of work space that would allow me to do this is an artist loft, live / work space.
There is very little information on the internet regarding these types of spaces and I was interested if you could post a question to your readers regarding them. Maybe this way, I could find some inspiration or motivation as to what exactly to look / search for in a city like Chicago.
Sent by Kevin
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saw some craigslist posts for artist's lofts recently when I was searching for an apartment.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/2597256326.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/2596371321.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/2595051061.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/2590412041.html
Not sure how much you're willing to spend, or the area you want. But these are a start.
You sound like an ultra talented guy -- do you have a website or sell your work or anything?
I'm a Chicagoan but no expert on the live/work issue. I thought you actually had to acquire some kind of permit for that -- one of the apartments I looked at a few months ago was occupied at that time by a guy who had a work/live permit. He made custom drapes and also used the place as his showroom. I think the tax deductions can be pretty sweet if you have that setup.
That said, have you thought about focusing your efforts in West Loop? There are so many industrial loft-type spaces here. Ukrainian Village is another area that might suit you needs, and also the area (does it have a name?) around Wright Auctions. Check around Hubbard and Noble.
East Garfield park is hardly gentrified, filled with beautiful art and history, is close to the expressway as well as green and blue line trains, and has plenty of raw, affordable space for rent.
The Square Footage page of the Chicago Artist Resources website is devoted to just this type of question.
www.chicagoartistsresource.org
I'm a Chicago resident and an arts administrator.
An artist friend of mine has a great studio space on the corner of Carroll and Kedzie in East Garfield Park. I don't know if they're LIVE/work, but it's a nice space and the landlady was really nice the one time I met her.
Chicago Artist Resource is great for listings. Here's a link to their Space Finder.
http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/spacefinder
I've also heard of ArtHouseChicago. They "connect creative people with unique live/work spaces." It seems like they list pricier places, but I'm sure you could always get in contact with them about your budget.
http://www.arthousechicago.com/
Dwell One realty specializes in live/work spaces. Don't know anyone who's used them though.
One idea is to find the work space first--you'll know that you can bang and hammer away--then make sure it's zoned for living. Many artist's lofts will come with noise and fire restrictions that would nix your idea. Try searching instead in the local commercial listings. You'll need to be ready to compromise on how "pretty" things look. On the other hand you'll be able to do generally what you want with the space.
I have some friends that rented an old industrial building with tall ceilings. They completely built out a second story loft area complete with bedrooms and plumbing, open in the center to their workshop below. Quite rustic and super cool. They're brothers and woodworkers.
Talk to the city and ask them about their art programs. Then talk to the people in the art programs about artists space. If I wasn't such a country mouse I'd be able to take advantage of this in pretty much any city.