Oakland (East) - Artist Warehouse Live/Work Space - NOT Available
This Oakland warehouse was renovated in Feb 2005 - freshly painted and cleaned.
1 of 5 rooms in a ~2700 sq. ft. loft in Vulcan Studios is up for rent. It is in
a great location, bordering Alameda near the new Fruitvale Center (one BART stop
away from Lake Merritt/Laney College).
ROOM Size :
Deposit = 1 month's rent.
No Pets.
AMENITIES
Studio/Common Space:
A huge 30x15x15h open area common / light studio space. Ceiling's the limit!
Bright colors, skylights, sky motif.
Location:
Proximity to Fruitvale BART (8 short blocks), supermarket (2 blocks), Oakland airport, Oakland Coliseum, organic/health food stores, delicious ethnic restaurants, MLK Jr Estuary Park (short bike ride). From a wider lens, Oakland is a central point between SF, Berkeley, San Jose, Tri-Valley, etc.
Sociology:
Community environment - 60 units ~ 150 people living separate and mingled
lives. Artists, musicians, writers, etc. in an accepting environment. Friendly
to gay/lesbian, pets, odd hours, Burning Man projects, decorative freedoms.
Atmosphere:
Unique aesthetic - artistic enclave amidst industrial setting. Murals, outdoor sculpture, potted plants, park, hallway paintings, etc.
Services:
Washer/dryer in house, dishwasher, delicious Thai food restaurant in building (Vulcan Cafe). Resident manager available to help with any potential issues or concerns.
Furnishings/Utilities:
The place is furnished, though your room may not be yet. Fridge, stove,
microwave, toaster, blender. Land line and DSL. Water is free, but you will
need to cover utilities ($35-$75, depending on usage). Floors are cement and
wood. Some furniture including desks, chairs, shelves, can be arranged if
needed. Double-doors for loading. Many skylights provide great natural light.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Light Industrial Zoning. Around the corner, International Blvd hosts Hispanic-flavored food, community and events. Four organic food marts are located within a mile. Albertsons a hop, skip and jump away. A short walk/ride away in one direction is Martin Luther King Jr Park and wetland preserve (San Leandro Bay estuary). In the opposite direction is Skyline Blvd with lots of trees and great hiking.
VULCAN STUDIOS
This (south-east) Oakland warehouse, bordering Alameda, was a foundry from the 1920's to [1970] and has been converted to live/work spaces since. The location is amazing, being 8 short blocks from Fruitvale BART, and 20 minute freeway ride into San Francisco. Vulcan Cafe is a delicious spot to eat within the complex, with a medley of tasty Thai food and American cuisine.
UNIT #24
This is one of the few units with a more "finished" aesthetic." Considered one
of the nicer units in the building, it was previously home to resident manager.
Sheetrock covers some areas of the corrugated metal roof and nooks. It is quaint
yet big enough to host creative art-making sessions, gallery showings or occasional
parties. The high, vaulted ceilings and skylights provide a sense of open-ness
in the common area. Upstairs, two rooms (6 and 7) are living spaces, both of
which have windows along the length of one wall opening to the western sky.
Downstairs, one room (4) has a large closet with one window/door into the common
space. The other room (2&3) is loosely sectioned in two, with small windows
running the length of one wall. Plenty of counter space for cooking in the kitchen.
The common room is a mix between lounge area, dance floor, movie theater, dining
room and project area, where you will be able to create your own (clean) work
space. Double-door accessibility.
Previous Configuration:
From the Sky:
Directions how to get here:
Vulcan Studios
More about the lease holder?...
THE IDEA
Let's do this! Why have anything less than an inspired co-existence full of peace,
joy, beauty and fantasy? My goal is to create a space for synergy, celebration
and mutual respect. As such, I envision idealized breeding grounds for art and
music supported emotionally, financially and spiritually by its constituents.
For me, this community structure extends beyond the walls of this building into
dreams and future large-scale collectives with people, land and resources functioning
together as a sustainable system.
ME
So who am I, this guy with all these utopian visions and ideas of harmonious community?
I'm an optimistic, lanky man of about 33 years. Too many dreams and too little
time to actualize them. I juggle my full-time job (engineer of electric vehicle
components in Livermore) with an unquenchable thirst for making art, music and
custom creations. Art and music could save the world, after all. I have realized
the benefit of configuration, accessibility and economy. Therefore, my idea
is to make a space that is conducive to many forms of art and craft. I have
created the workshop, which I use occasionally for sculpture in ceramics, metal
welding and wood working. Access to tools of the members of the house is possible,
given demonstration of proficiency, reliability, respectfulness, safety, etc.
It is in the process of becoming a hybridized music studio for occasional jam
sessions or recording. In addition, I work at applying my knowledge of electronics
to actualize ideas in animatronics, kinetic sculpture and electric vehicles.
I think it would be best to share the space with other sculptors, fabricators,
or industrious artists, but I am not stuck on the idea. It tends to be more
inspiring when we like the work each other creates.
MY PERSONALITY
Awareness, kindness, compassion, sensitivity, creativity, responsibility, organization, optimism, realism, activism, peace, dedication, confidence, respect, interest, inspiration. I like a mixture of quiet and raucous, solitude and community, autonomy and collaboration, confrontation and acceptance, compromise and giving, affection and distance.
I want not: television, cigarette smoking inside, excess of heat(er), overly frequent parties.
I require: communication, open-mindedness, flexibility.
My sociological inclination swings between introverted tranquility-seeker
to enthusiastic community optimist. I've been in the U.S. for most of my 33
years, but enjoy seeing the world's environmental, cultural, sociological
diversity. Foreign languages, alternative energy, nature, deep grooves and
beautiful art are some of my many interests. I am passionate about life and
seek to surround myself with others that are also wanting to embrace its amazing
potential. I like a clean household, but love getting down & dirty with my
projects. Of greatest importance to my household relationships are mutual
levels of awareness, respect and open-mindedness. Kindness, creativity and
participation are also important for synergistic chemistry. During my normal
schedule, I spend a significant part of the week at work (~30 hours) and often come home
late. I am nocturnal by nature, but have always tried to be conscientious
of others' needs for peace and space. I love and appreciate many things about
the world and am dedicated to making the most of the life I've been given.
Sound like I'm asking too much? If yes, this is probably not the situation for you.
Sound like your kind of collaboration? Send me an email with your thoughts.
I am very interested also in seeing/hearing what you want/need and are interested in adding to our expression.
Do you have any image or audio files you can share? I'm sure it's exhausting to read all this when
you're just looking for a place to lay your head. I took the time to write all this because
I think we should be a great match and that nobody should have to settle for anything short of ideal!
contact me
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