About the Lofts
Units
The Lofts at Keen Studios features 23 open plan loft living for artists -- the result of the rehabilitation of the former Mary C. Burke Elementary Schoolhouse in Chelsea, MA.
The units offer open plan loft-style living with high ceilings and large windows. Unit sizes range from 793 to 1147 square feet and are priced from $120,000 to $279,000.
The building was built to a high standard of energy efficiency and features individual heat / AC units in each loft
Common laundry facilities are available each floor.
The first nine market rate units will have a deeded parking spot.
History
The schoolhouse was built in the early 1880’s, and features a timber, brick and stucco exterior characteristic of the English Tudor Revival style of the period. The building was originally called the Spencer Avenue School and renamed in 1937 for Mary C. Burke, a World War I Army nurse who died in 1918.
Features
- Historic building, masonry & wood
- 8’ aluminum windows
- Gas heat, individual meter
- Gas hot water, common meter
- 100 amps electric service
- Air Conditioning, individual control
- Laundry machines each floor
- Elevator
- Common Room
- Professional Landscaping
- Kitchen: electric stove, fridge, dishwasher, sink disposal
The Developers
ETC Development Corporation, incorporated in 1969, is a non-profit owner and developer of affordable housing that encourages economic and ethnic diversity. ETC is an experienced developer with significant capacity having more than 200 units currently in development and more than 1,000 units of housing completed. ETC owns and oversees a rental housing portfolio of approximately 500 units as well as commercial space.
ETC pursues opportunities throughout Massachusetts with a particular focus on neighborhoods that have a significant or increasing Latino population.
Bob Kuehn
Keen Studios is named after the late Robert H. Kuehn, Jr., founder of Keen Development and friend to the Boston area artist community. Bob was a tireless champion for housing in this region, a dedicated and generous patron of the artist community, and a staunch defender of historic preservation.
History
The schoolhouse was built in the early 1880’s, and features a timber, brick and stucco exterior characteristic of the English Tudor Revival style of the period. The building was originally called the Spencer Avenue School and renamed in 1937 for Mary C. Burke, a World War I Army nurse who died in 1918.
The Developers
ETC Development Corporation, incorporated in 1969, is a non-profit owner and developer of affordable housing that encourages economic and ethnic diversity. ETC is an experienced developer with significant capacity having more than 200 units currently in development and more than 1,000 units of housing completed. ETC owns and oversees a rental housing portfolio of approximately 500 units as well as commercial space.
ETC pursues opportunities throughout Massachusetts with a particular focus on neighborhoods that have a significant or increasing Latino population.
Bob Kuehn
Keen Studios is named after the late Robert H. Kuehn, Jr., founder of Keen Development and friend to the Boston area artist community. Bob was a tireless champion for housing in this region, a dedicated and generous patron of the artist community, and a staunch defender of historic preservation.
Open Studios
What
ETC Development Corporation and Metropolitan Boston Real Estate proudly bring you Open Studios at Keen. Open Studios features the work of local artist in galleries that are set up in units that are currently available.
Artists
Scott Kelly, Lana Gržetic, Sarah Anderson, Tim Lynch, Dan Osterman, Rebecca Parry, Carmela Cattuti, Maria Ruskiewicz, Ken Koch, Eric Weiss and Caleb Weinreb.
Schedule
May 4th, May 18th, June 8th, June 22nd. 12–3pm.
Photos
Live Here
For Artists Only
The purpose of Keen Studios is to provide a live/work space to artists to support their work. Keen Studios features 23 live/work spaces. Units are offered at both affordable-rate and market-rate prices. Interested buyers can be any person who practices an art or who is engaged in an art-related business; and must be approved by the Artist Certification Committee.
An “artist” is defined as but not limited to: choreographers, dancers, architects, landscape architects, urban designers and planners, interior designers, furniture designers, silversmiths, industrial designers, graphic designers, fashion designers, creative writers and literary translators, composers, musicians, production media artists, mimes; individual artists working in film, radio, television, video, theater conceptual performance, painting, print making, drawing, photography, sculpture and crafts, pottery arts, jewelry making; curating; and entertainment arts and playwrights.
Affordable Rate
To be eligible to buy an affordable unit at Keen studios you must meet the following requirements:
- Must obtain a First-Time Homebuyer Class Certificate
- Must be income eligible (see Table 2 on Affordable Application)
- Must have sufficient income to secure financing
- Must be certified as an artist by the Artist Certification Committee
- Must seek Homebuyer Financial Assistance if eligible
- NOTE: Re-sale and occupancy restrictions apply
Homebuyer Information Package
Living in Chelsea
Chelsea is one of the best comeback stories in recent area history. In little more than a decade it has risen up from near financial insolvency to become one of the Boston area’s fastest growing communities and, in particular, an increasingly popular destination for a wide variety of area artists including painters, sculptors, photographers, and musicians.
It’s proximity to downtown Boston, Boston Harbor and Logan Airport and relative affordability compared with other close-in cities like Somerville, Cambridge, and Brookline, has been a key to its remarkable turnaround. Chelsea is now an increasingly popular destination for commercial and residential real estate developers, and therefore, new businesses and home buyers alike.
From the point of view of homebuyers and apartment hunters, moving to Chelsea no longer means moving to Admiral’s Hill. In the last two years alone some 1800 new units of housing have either been created or slated for development including both apartments for rent and condominiums for sale. This wave of new development has touched virtually every corner of the City from the Waterfront to Mill Creek to Prattville to Addison-Orange and everything in between. At least two former industrial areas -- The Chelsea Box District and the former Forbes Site -- are being transformed to vibrant residential neighborhoods.
Chelsea has something for everyone really. It’s no surprise that Chelsea has become a popular destination for a surprisingly diverse group of new residents including artists, young professionals, and families hoping to find an affordable place to live right on the doorstep of downtown Boston.
Getting around on the T
Public transportation is available via both the 117 and 116 MBTA buses which stop across the street from Keen Studios. Route 16/Revere Beach Parkway is just up the road and serves as a quick connection to Route 1 North or South and connects easily to the Tobin Bridge creating easy access to downtown Boston, I-93, the Mass Pike Logan Airport and the Ted Williams Tunnel are also minutes away. The Chelsea commuter rail station at the corner of Arlington Street and 6th Street is 1.5 miles from Keen Studios. Trains run frequently, one stop to North Station.
Contact Us
Email Us
More contact
Roy Avellaneda
Metropolitan Boston Real Estate
Tel. 617-212-4658
Roy@MetropolitanBRE.com