BARCO Breaks Ground on The Motor House

By Adrian Maties, Associate Editor

The Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation broke ground on The Motor House, one of its most anticipated projects. The $6.5 million investment will completely transform the former Load of Fun building and will bring much needed performance and working space to Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District, the first state-designated arts district in the nation.

The property is located at 120 W. North Avenue. It housed individual artists and small arts organizations from 2005 until 2012 when the former owner was forced to close the building and evict all tenants because he was unable to bring the property up to code, after an inspection by the city’s fire marshals.

BARCO purchased the property in August 2013. It is working on the project with an advisory committee of artists, curators, performers, arts educators, and art organization executives. The non-profit said it will preserve the historic landmark and transform it into a facility that ”will showcase Baltimore’s vibrant and diverse urban arts scene.”

The new Motor House will provide quality facilities for artists, performers, curators, and nonprofit arts organizations, and will also attract audiences and art patrons from across the city and around the region. On the first floor, it will feature a cafe, a black-box performance space, and a public gallery. Artist studios will be located on the second floor, while the third floor will provide office and collaborative space for arts-related non-profit organizations. Confirmed tenants include Arts Everyday, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Neighborhood Design Center, and Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc.

Construction is expected to be completed by November 2015. Southway Builders is the project’s general contractor.

Photo credit: Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation