ATLANTIC WORKS
Built 1893 Renovated 2010
80 Border Street, East Boston, MA
Commercial: 28,000 Square Feet
Owner: ATLANTIC WORKS LLC
Financing: New Market Tax Credits
Property Management: Metro Management Company
One of the oldest CDCs in the country, East Boston Community Development Corp. added another important community facility with the completion of the renovation of the Atlantic Works building.
The project focused on the renovation and construction of 28,000 square feet of commercial space to provide affordable community space to a non-profit day care center and workspace for 44 local artists.The day care facility, important for the Maverick HOPE VI development nearby, included classrooms, indoor and outdoor play areas and related support space.
Artists’ work spaces occupy the upper floors and a sculpture garden and art gallery are located on the first floor. The building includes the Atlantic Works Cultural Center.
FINANCING
The project received $3.4 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing and significant support from the City of Boston.
ABOUT THE ATLANTIC WORKS GALLERY
The Atlantic Works Gallery is located on the third floor of a warehouse building on the edge of Boston Harbor. As such, it has some of the most dramatic views of any exhibition venue in all of Boston. We also have an outdoor sculptural space along the back of the building and adjacent pier.
Derek Cavanaugh, MHIC Senior Investment Officer (right) and Al Caldarelli, Executive Director of East Boston Community Development Corporation, are pictured here with painter/photographer Ejay Kahn, enjoying a tour of Kahn Studios, a gallery of visual and literary art, located on the first floor of Atlantic Works.
ABOUT THE SHINING STAR DAYCARE CENTER
The Shining Star Day Care is a Large Group and School Age Child Care (Group Child Care). It has maximum capacity of 36 children. For more info on there services please contact:
Little Folks Community Daycare
65 Trenton Street
East Boston MA 02128
617-569-0294
HISTORY
Atlantic Works, which produced steamship boilers and engines, was established in 1853 and was originally located at Chelsea and Marion streets. In 1893 Atlantic Works constructed the three-story building that still stands. The building features a large arched doorway that faces the doorway and a smaller arched doorway on New Street.
This location housed 30 artists in danger of displacement. EBCDC acquired the property and leveraged its funds with New Market Tax Credits to perform a gut rehab. To maintain the artist community, a large number of volunteers where utilized to aid in the artist relocation. Artists were relocated to lower floors or voluntarily agreed to suspend their activities. Renovating the building from its highest floor first allowed the artist to transition back to their new space with minimal disruption.
