The North Adams Transcript
Old mill to house 25 artist lofts
article date: 04/21/2005
|
|
NORTH ADAMS -- The Blackinton Mill on Massachusetts Avenue was announced as Eric Rudd's new $3 million project, converting unused industrial space into 25 artist studio lofts. Rudd said the Eclipse Mill, a similar project, has brought $1 million to the local economy, 60 new residents to the city and millions into the tax rolls. The potential of a second studio project would be a big benefit for entertainment and the economy of the city, he said. The Blackinton project is still waiting for approval from city hall, which includes the need for an ordinance change concerning artist studios. |
|
People gather in one of the Eclipse Mill artist lofts, where Eric Rudd announced his newest loft project in Blackinton on Wednesday. Photo: Gillian Jones/North Adams Transcript |
Rudd said he plans to break ground at the Blackinton, a 70,000-square-foot mill dating to 1821, on June 1 and start bringing in new occupants in the fall. He admitted it was an aggressive schedule, especially with ongoing construction at his Eclipse Mill, a 130,000-square-foot building on Union Street.
Michael Meehan, the Blackinton's owner, bought the building in 1988 and will be a partner in the new project. The price for the condominiums range from $165,000 for a one-story, 2,500-square-foot studio to $270,000 for a super-size, two-story 5,000-square-foot studio. Prices are higher than for the Eclipse, said Rudd, because he wanted to evenly balance affordability with generating a profit.
The new project -- part residential living space, part small art business hub, and part, Rudd said, "big community sculpture" -- will completely revamp the old mill for modern living. Construction will include landscaping, cable television, high-speed Inter-net and phone wiring; sprinkler systems and fire alarms, heating and cooling systems, full kitchens and bathrooms.
Roger Rice, general contractor for the Blackinton and Eclipse mills, said the most expensive improvement will be adding new insulated windows, costing about $800,000.
"I'm looking forward to doing it. It'll be quite an endeavor to bring another old mill up to standards for people to live in," said Rice, of Roger Rice Builders.
As far as opening the building for habitation by the fall, Rice said, "It's going to be a tough draw."
Construction on the Eclipse began in June 2003. Still, Rudd said the Blackinton is in far better condition than the Eclipse was. When work started on the Eclipse, the roof had major leaks and large parts of the floors were missing. Conversely, Rudd said the Blackinton was a solid building and a "nice, clean shell."
David J. Westall and James J. Leitch are the architects for the Blackinton and Eclipse. Westall said the Blackinton project will be a very interesting and unique project because of the building shape. The Blackinton has a one-story portion along Massachusetts Avenue, a three-story adjoining building and another detached building. Westall said the different segments of the building allow for creative unit layouts and also more choice for buyers.
Even though the Blackinton is half the size of the Eclipse, Rudd said he made efforts to offer spacious working areas for artists there, increasing the largest condominiums from the Eclipse's 3,200-square-foot lofts to 5,000-square-foot lofts.
Additionally, 10 studios will have two floors and have either two full bathrooms or one and a half bathrooms. Some studios will include patios, as well.
Westall said much work still needs to be completed on the architectural side, with only schematics of the building layout finished.
"We have a lot to do to work out all of the details," said Westall.