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.