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Arts and Culture at 290 North Beacon

We’re working to secure the long-term future of affordable rehearsal space and other arts and culture space in Brighton.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC), in partnership with other city departments and the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) are embarking on a public process to determine the future of the 290 North Beacon site in Brighton. The site is intended to be redeveloped for the purpose of affordable rehearsal space and other compatible uses.

This project would mark the first time in the office’s history that a physical building is secured into perpetuity for arts and culture use. The 290 North Beacon site’s future will be determined through a series of community meetings leading to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for turnkey development. MOAC expects that an additional RFP will be issued to identify an operator of the resulting arts and culture space.

Background

The planned acquisition of 290 North Beacon Street is a community benefit resulting from the 155 North Beacon Street development review (Article 80) process. The 155 North Beacon Street project caused the displacement of artists and loss of studio space in Brighton. As a result, the developer of 155 North Beacon and the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), in partnership with MOAC, agreed to enter into an agreement to convey the 290 North Beacon property so that the City, as the owner in fee simple, can create a space that can be used as an affordable rehearsal space for displaced artists as well as other compatible uses. Following the acquisition, the City, in coordination with MOAC, shall commence a request for proposal process to ensure the disposition of the property will facilitate the creation of the affordable rehearsal space for displaced artists.

The Site

290 North Beacon Street site is a 47,664 square foot parcel with a 34,802 square foot one-story building. The south end of the building was originally constructed in 1970, while the north end of the building was constructed in 1928. The northern half of the building is vacant and the other half is expected to be vacated by the end of July 2024. 290 North Beacon also abuts the Faneuil Gardens BHA development.

Photo of 290 N Beacon St building
290 North Beacon Street prior to redevelopment

Status of Property Transfer

(Red text indicates current status.)

  • In June 2023, with the approval of the 155 North Beacon redevelopment project, the City and the project proponent announced the intention to transfer 290 North Beacon as a public benefit for the arts and culture community.
  • In April 2024, the BPDA Board approved what is known as a “Demonstration Project” allowing the BPDA to accept possession of the property.
  • Transfer from the developer to the BPDA, led by Planning Department staff, will take place in parallel to the community meetings and BPDA will transfer the property to the City (subject to a BPDA Board vote) prior to a RFP being released.

General Next Steps

  • Community Meetings to Inform the Reconstruction: The City of Boston and BHA will host community meetings to inform the future of the site.
  • Request for Proposals to Identify a Turnkey Developer: The City and BHA will work together along with the community to identify a developer to reconstruct the site.
  • Site Reconstruction: Following the selection of a developer and the approvals process, the site will undergo reconstruction providing a secure future for arts, culture, and affordable housing in Brighton.
  • Identify an Operator for the Arts and Culture Space: The City will also need to issue a RFP for an operator of the newly created arts and culture space. At this time, no determination on the timing of this RFP has been made. 

The arts and culture community as well as the broader community will be sought for input at various stages of the process. Community members will have the opportunity to review the turnkey developer RFP before it is issued. MOAC also commits to a public presentation of the eventual proposals it receives. MOAC and BHA are continuing to develop a plan for community input.

Public Meetings

Public Meetings

This was a meeting led by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) in collaboration with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). Several meetings regarding the future of the property located at 290 North Beacon Street are expected to follow this initial meeting. This was also an opportunity for the City to learn more about the community priorities for this project and for residents to influence aspects of the project and public process.

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