Loft Features: new large windows; new gas force-air heat with exposed spiral duct; heavy 3-phase electrical (for kilns, etc.); bathrooms with acrylic tub/shower combination, pedestal sink, oblong toilet; kitchen with microwave/exhaust unit, garbage disposal, dishwasher, gas range; utility/laundry room with gas 40-gallon hot water, washer/dryer hookup and work sink; main areas with flood lighting and ceiling fan junction boxes; new walls are insulated, fire-rated sheetrock and painted white (2-coats); ceilings under other units are insulated with sheetrock; smoke, heat and sprinkler fire protection system; wired for high-speed internet, telephone, TV cable; double entry doors; insulated roof; historic features/brick left intact.

Pre-construction price estimates: prices, layouts, sizes and terms subject to change. Special 3% discount for pre-construction reservations and contracts. See architectural plans for location, layout and gross/net square footage.

BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION COSTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN NAILED DOWN, WE ARE PROJECTING A PRICE RANGE BELOW. FINAL PRICES WILL BE INCLUDED IN ANY PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT. RESERVATION OPTIONS ALLOW FOR REFUND OF THE $1,000 DEPOSIT AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON. 

BACK-UP RESERVATIONS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED. RESERVATIONS INDICATE SERIOUS INTEREST, HOWEVER, SOME UNITS MIGHT BECOME AVAILABLE AGAIN.

Click here for individual loft descriptions.

North Adams, a small city in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, changed its zoning to allow for live/work studio lofts in large mills.

North Adams is home to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), Contemporary Artists Center (CAC) and several other art sites (Dark Ride Project, Main Street Stage, A Chapel for Humanity, Inkberry, Studio Works, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Beaver Mill Artists Studios and others). Nearby are Williams College Museum of Art, Clark Art Institute and Williamstown Theatre Festival. In short, North Adams is a nerve center for contemporary art.

North Adams is on the move; MASS MoCA is expanding and new restaurants have been spouting up. As artists are being priced out of studios and losing a sense of community in large cities, they are moving to the area. The Eclipse Mill, located between MASS MoCA and the CAC, was the first mill to be entirely dedicated to live/work condominium studio lofts (see photos). The 40 lofts were completely sold out within two months.

These lofts have already appreciated 50% or more, but it’s not too late! With that mill’s completion, the Blackinton Mill is being developed in much the same way. Twenty-five large, live/work lofts will be renovated for artists. The Blackinton Mill is located just five minutes from MASS MoCA, between North Adams and Williamstown (William College Museum of Art, Clark Art Institute, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown Film Festival). A drive south brings you to Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, Shakespeare & Co.; and a drive north takes you to Bennington, Saratoga Performing Arts and more.

Best of all, the live/work studios are offered for sale - at incredibly low prices - around $75 per square foot (larger lofts are less). For artists used to city prices, this is not a come-on! Even by applying as ‘self-employed,’ artists purchasing Eclipse Mill lofts were able to get conventional residential mortgages at very low interest rates. Several lofts come with 80% financing!

Massive amount of space to live and work in.

For less money per month than renting, artists and people in the arts can own their studio-lofts. Since units will appreciate in value as the mill develops, early buyers will enjoy the lowest prices. Historically, artists rent and eventually get priced out and booted out; the Eclipse and Blackinton Mills are geared for people wanting to make long-term commitments to continuing their creative work.

Each studio-loft includes new gas force air heating (individually metered) with exposed spiral duct, separately metered three-phase electric service, individual gas hot water heater, washer/dryer hookup in utility room with work sink, full bathroom and kitchen. Kitchens include dishwasher, garbage disposal, over the range microwave/exhaust and gas range. Interior walls are insulated and painted white, with double entrance doors. High speed internet, TV cable and phone access lines are also included. For the two-story lofts (floors 2 and 3 with entrance doors located on the second floor), there is access to a large freight elevator. Half the Blackinton Mill lofts have private, fenced patios. Several lofts are especially suited to include gallery space to show the art. There is ample parking and outdoor public space (terraces and roof deck) for residents and visitors.

Exhibition opportunities within the mill complex, including ‘open studio’ days, art workshops, public talks with artists and curators, will make your creative efforts pay off. Many of the 120,000 annual visitors to MASS MoCA (and many more visiting the Clark, Williams College Museum of Art, and other cultural venues in North Adams and Williamstown) will be attracted to visit both the Eclipse Mill and the Blackinton Mill to purchase art works directly from participating artists.

Whether you do painting, sculpture, photography, new media art, filmmaking, textiles, computer design, dance, performance, music, theater, fabricate wearable art or functional art, or any related work, join the creative action of North Adams and the Berkshires, either as a weekend/summer artist or as a full time resident. Some artists have transitioned their move over a period of time, and others have moved here and set up shop - lock, stock and barrel. Current residents express their satisfaction that there is a serious, creative and growing community of fellow artists.

In addition to the continuous cultural programming in the area, recreational opportunities include hiking, swimming, tennis, skiing, golf, fishing, bicycling, boating, or just plain enjoying the fresh air. Between going to museums, lectures or performances, or partaking in outside activities and ending the day with a great meal at one of the new eateries, time not doing creative work is easily filled. What’s absent in the Berkshires are traffic jams, serious crime, parking problems, and high taxes. When traveling, Albany airport is just one hour away, New York City is just three hours and Boston is just 2 1/2 hours by car.

If the Eclipse Mill is an indication, these lofts will go quickly. If this sounds too good to be true, talk to any artist in the completed Eclipse Mill (www.eclipsemill.com). Designed for artists by artist Eric Rudd (www.artstudioloft.com) in partnership with Mike Meehan, the lofts anticipate your working needs. Come and see for yourself and take advantage of the lowest prices you will probably find for the size and quality of these lofts. Reservations are now being taken; occupancy begins this fall (September, 2005), with completion of all lofts by March, 2006. Contact Eric at (413) 664-9550 or email cacart@together.net.

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