Vancouver could always use more affordable studio spaces for artists, so it was great to hear from Jill Whitford of Eastside Flea today after she and her partners picked up the keys to a new space that will provide exactly that.
Eastside Studios will be located in the 20,000 sqft building at 460 Prior Street in Strathcona. It will see over 25 communal and private artist spaces as well as three larger workshop units and a gallery. Their goal is to have the studios ready for occupation by May 1st.
“We’re essentially doing what we did with the Ellis Building but instead offering space for artists to create.” Whitford explains. The rents, she adds, will be “very reasonable and competitive”.
More details soon.
I unsarcastically wish this group the best of luck. It seems like Vancouver’s really made creative space unsustainable, I hope they find a way to prove me wrong.