Artspace lofts to attract creative artists to Downtown El Paso
The new Artspace lofts located on the corner of Oregon and Missouri are expected to attract creative artists to the Borderland.
Eric Pearson, CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation, said the lofts are a great and much needed addition to the city.
“The best way to sustain downtown in the arts was to support the artists and build not only an arts scene,” Pearson said, “But make downtown an actual community, a bonafide neighborhood.”
The lofts will combine 51 affordable live/work units for artists and their families with 5,000 square feet of multi-purpose nonprofit commercial space. This, along with a community room on the main floor providing extra space for meetings, exhibitions and performances.
Aaron Torres, a local musician and clothing designer, lives in the lofts and said he is grateful El Paso has a home for artists like himself.
“In so many developing cities so many artists get kicked out or priced out of where they live,” Torres said. “So to have a affordable rent controlled environment surrounded by like-minded people is an absolute dream come true.” More than 130 applicants applied for the 51-room lofts, which are on a first come first serve basis. One of the qualifications to live in the lofts include making no more than $21,000 per year as an individual and no more than $38,000 as a family. The monthly rent ranges from $200 per month to $800 depending on the number of tenants and income.
