The Uneeda Lofts is now welcoming tennants. Artists, creative professionals have new place to call home
For
two years, professional artists, makers and creators eagerly watched
the construction at 711 Milam Street, waiting for the long-unused,
six-story building to be transformed into the UNEEDA Biscuit Artist
Lofts.
Last
week, one of those artists got her wish. Her new home is 700 feet from
her Andress Artist and Entrepreneur Center studio space. On Oct. 5, at
2:00 p.m., she and many others will be celebrating the grand opening of
the longawaited UNEEDA Lofts.
The
location has been a big draw for the 22 creative professionals who have
already leased one of the 32 onebedroom, one-bath units. The UNEEDA
Lofts are located in the nationally awarded creative placemaking
community, Shreveport Common. They are steps from Central ARTSTATION,
Artspace, the Andress and other galleries, studios, retail, makerspaces,
indoor and outdoor venues, the Robinson Film Center, and the new Caddo
Common Park.
Karen
La Beaux, a professional artist working in Shreveport Common, says she
is excited to live within a short walk from her workplace and added,
“The tall ceilings and natural light from the large windows are ideal
for artists to create their art, and the beautiful mezzanine will be the
perfect place for rotating exhibits.” Each unit features large windows,
high ceilings, versatile floor plans, appliances including washer/dryer
and shared space on the mezzanine overlooking the grand lobby.”
“The opening of UNEEDA Artist Lofts is a major
advancement of the Shreveport Common neighborhood,” said Pam Atchison,
the executive director of Shreveport Regional Arts Council. “We are so
grateful to Edward Taylor and Wayne Brown who, after seeing the Artists
Market Demand Study, saw the UNEEDA building as the place to answer the
wants and needs of our creative community to work, and now live,
full-time in Shreveport Common.
These
beautiful apartments are both affordable and market rate, making it
possible for artists of all income levels to be part of this uncommon
cultural community.”
The
handsome brick building, with a reddish hue attributed to the Red
River, is easily recognized by its once-faded, now-restored UNEEDA
Biscuit mural.
The
building stands tall on Milam, a favorite Downtown, tree-lined street
between Common St. and Louisiana. Originally, it was the
Vordenbauman-Eastham Company building and later the Marcus Furniture
store. The restoration, particularly the interior, has been dramatic,
saving the building from total ruin. At one point, the roof had fallen
through all six floors, adding a full structural reconstruction to the
project.
Developer
Edward Taylor, managing partner for Fairfield Properties, is excited
about the opening of Uneeda Biscuit Artist Lofts and its long-term
potential. “It will bring more activity to downtown Shreveport,” he
says, “and will help support small businesses like Rhino Coffee and
others with foot traffic. It will help support other activities downtown
and will provide a unique residential option – there’s not anything
much like this.”
Liz
Swaine, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority,
agrees; ‘What makes downtown come alive? Residential options.
Residential creates a needed 24/7 lifestyle and encourages other
businesses and amenities to follow. What is especially exciting,” she
added, “are our historic properties that are being rehabbed into spaces
like those you see on HGTV. Uneeda Biscuit Lofts is going to quickly
become a space downtown where people want to live, show art and enjoy
all the amenities that Shreveport Common and Downtown can provide.”
This
project was a huge undertaking with difficult challenges, not the least
of which was Covid and its impact on materials and supplies. However,
Fairfield Properties, Brown Builders and Newman Marchive Inc. have
persevered, and Shreveport is the winner.
“The
owners had a vision, and at one point, they thought it might not be
possible to save the building. They stayed the course,” said the project
architect, Lauren F. Marchive, III. They gave us the opportunity to
help them repurpose the old building into a modern living community.”
The
repurposing of 711 Milam brings the total number of public and private
investment to $58,000,000, with 33 construction projects completed in
the 9-block area of Shreveport Common since 2011. Three buildings are
currently under construction, and three more blighted properties are
expected to start major construction within a year.
Currently,
the units are leasing from $875- $1042 a month, according to Renee
Wiggins, senior asset manager for Fairfield Properties. “We have been
leasing for three weeks and are already 70% leased. We are excited to be
the new home for artists and creative professionals and are looking
forward to having resident functions, showcasing residents’ art, and
having a great place for artists to live, work and mingle.” Wiggins said
the remaining units are half market-rate and half-affordable rate for
those who meet the requirements.
The
UNEEDA Biscuit Artist Lofts are taking applications for contemporary
and well-appointed apartments ranging from 592 sf. to 753 sf. with
flexible layouts. For more information, visit www.UNEEDALOFTS.com
Wendy
Benscoter is the executive director of Shreveport Common Inc., the
non-profit redevelopment arm of the award-winning Shreveport Common
Creative Placemaking revitalization initiative.
The contemporary-style apartments at 711 Milam Street features an open floorplan, second-floor lofts, and include washers and dryers. All apartments are one bedroom, one bath.