|
|
5/14/20
|
There have been four new lease signings at Artthaus Studios, a recently expanded 120k sf catalyst for Bay Area start-ups and small businesses in creative industries. The property, which was designed to help start-up and small businesses in creative industries thrive in the overpriced commercial marketplace, is seeing increased interest from a wide range of companies adapting to their new realities during COVID-19.
“These organizations are experiencing sudden shifts in demand or delivery of services that have required them to rethink their business models. While Artthaus Studios was created to give affordability and flexibility to businesses in creative industries, this same model now supports organizations whose operations look very different than they did earlier this year,” said Riaz Taplin, founder and CEO of Riaz Capital, the property owner.
Artthaus Studios is located in a 100-year-old complex at 2744 E 11th St in East Oakland’s historic Jingletown neighborhood, a former industrial district that has evolved into what is today a Bay Area artist haven. Riaz Capital acquired the complex in 2016, just before the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire two blocks away brought national attention to high rental prices that had driven thousands of artists from San Francisco to Oakland.
Riaz Capital transformed the property into sustainable, affordable space where a diverse group of artists and creative professionals could thrive. In January, just as the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the United States, Riaz opened the second and final phase of Artthaus Studios. With the first phase almost fully leased to nearly 100 creative small businesses and start-ups, the new phase featured larger spaces suitable for more established organizations looking to grow and be more effective.
The rise in recent leasing interest comes mostly from tenants whose futures have been altered by COVID-19 and drawn to affordable and flexible lease options.
“In most cases, we’re hearing from organizations who have experienced sudden changes in demand for their services or the manner in which they’re delivered. These latest leases involve tenants whose businesses are perhaps forever changed by COVID-19,” Taplin added. “We’re happy to support their growth at this critical time.”
While one of the new tenants wishes to remain anonymous, the other three new tenant agreements include:
• Farm Fresh to You, a second-generation family-owned service providing home delivery of organic produce and products from local farms and artisans. The Sacramento company is opening a Bay Area office amid increased demand for home delivery of fresh foods.
• The Father’s House, an Oakland-based religious organization that has transferred its Sunday services to an online platform during the virus. The organization has leased space for an expanded production and marketing team that supports this effort for at least the next six months.
• Miller Landscape Architecture, a 30-year-old Bay Area residential and commercial landscape designer. During this shelter-in-place environment, MLA is uniquely positioned to offer virtual walk-throughs of projects using 3D computer modeling.
|
|
 Return to the Archive page
|
|
|
|
|
Printer-friendly Version
Email an Associate
