Meta Housing Corp. Presents Its First Family Arts Colony
Meta Housing Corp. finalized its first “family arts colony” apartment project in the San Pedro, Calif., neighborhood.
By Andie Lowenstein, Associate Editor
Los Angeles—Meta Housing Corporation finalized its first “family arts colony” apartment project in the San Pedro, Calif., neighborhood.
The new, 49-unit, arts-focused affordable apartment community integrates artistic live and work space. Pacific Avenue Arts Colony is the fourth arts colony project developed by Meta Housing, and the first open to non-senior residents.
“Our senior arts colony apartment communities have proven successful in supporting and encouraging imaginative thinking and meaningful creative achievement among residents, while also bringing affordable housing and thoughtful architecture to many Cities,” said Kasey M. Burke, president of Meta Housing Corporation.
“The Pacific Avenue Arts Colony will deliver a new level of creativity and connection to the San Pedro community,” continued Burke. “By focusing on integrating affordable housing and studio space for artists, we are supporting the City’s goals of attracting new artists and patrons to Downtown San Pedro.”
Formerly an automotive repair facility lot in the historic core of the City of San Pedro, the property, or “Pac Arts,” contains six ground-floor live/work units for resident artists, and includes a full-scale professional level art gallery space to encourage connection and collaboration among the nearby arts district.
Meta Housing Corporation Senior Vice President Chris Maffris explains, “The vision for this project is that it will serve as a gateway to the nearby San Pedro Arts, Culture, & Entertainment District (SPACE District), and will unite the surrounding communities through art exhibits, performances, and creative programming while providing quality, affordable housing to its residents.”
“Pac Arts” represents the first major investment in San Pedro’s revitalization outside of the arts district.
“Through this project, we are placing professional artists at the center of economic and community development, while ensuring that they can afford to enjoy the benefits of this neighborhood’s revitalization,” Maffris said.
The development was financed with 9 percent tax credits along with funds from the California Community Reinvestment Corp. and the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles. Bank of America, a long-time partner of Meta Housing, provided construction financing and equity for the project.
“Bank of America is thoroughly invested in the vision for this project,” says Charmaine Atherton, a senior vice president with Bank of America. “By partnering with Meta Housing, we are able to continue connecting Angelinos to not only high-quality affordable housing projects, but an artist community that provides a better quality of life for the San Pedro community.”
The Pacific Avenue Arts Colony is the 14th affordable housing community for which Bank of America and Meta Housing teamed up.
The project was developed by Meta Housing in partnership with General Partner Western Community Housing and was designed by Y&M Architects. The non-profit EngAGE will seve as arts and programming service coordinator.
A variety of art-focused amenities are featured within the community, such as professional-grade art studios, a soundproof music room and a graphic media center.
Situated at 303 South Pacific Avenue in San Pedro, Pac Arts offers affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans.