14 Eagle Street – across from Limones – has been available for a year and is likely to be available in the spring. It is 1304 sq. ft.
and leases for $1304/mo. With utilities, that is likely to be about $1500/mo. The space is divided into small offices but could be renovated with walls removed. The landlord would likely paint and replace carpet without charge but demolition of walls would probably be at our expense. There is a bath in the hallway that is shared by the tenants in the building and would probably accommodate our public needs. The space has good visibility from the street. The listing agent is Robin Boylan with Beverly-Hanks. 33 Carolina Lane – this is the alley off Walnut St. This area is a bit dilapidated and is mixed with residential and commercial. This is a total of 2600 Sq. ft. but 1300 is an open basement. The top floor has a large room plus an efficiency apartment including a bath and kitchen. It leases for $1500/mo as is and the lower level could possible be sub
let for about $500. Utilities are extra but I couldn’t find out what they run. If it is still available in the spring, the landlord may negotiate the price and amount of space. The bath could be a problem for public use. The Yoga Center is next door. There are several spaces laid out similarly along the alley and any could be available when we are ready. A similar space has just been leased by computer geeks. Look at this website and click on the photo to see what they’ve done – it looks good - http://www.thetinktank.com/. The listing agent is Andy Brockmier. This space appears to be more problematic than Eagle Street but we’d have to look at both.41 Lexington Avenue – above What was the Old Europe Café but has street
access behind on Rankin Ave. A 1-story condo in heart of downtown. 2 entrances, one ground-level on corner of Rankin & Walnut, and another off Lexington w/stairway to 2nd fl. Vanilla shell w/loads of character - high ceilings, exposed beams, wood floors, HUGE windows & great light. Space last used as The Fine Arts League. Could be great live/work, office, studio/gallery, limited retail, or residence. There are 3 baths. Includes parking space on Lexington Ave. Storage in basement. This has 4000 sq. ft. and is $2675/mo. plus utilities so may be out of our price range but looks like a great space. It’s nicely located and looks good inside but would need some renovation. View it at http://www.pattonpropertygroup.com/ and put in the MLS # 463991. It is listed with The Real Estate Center but that’s not a friendly site for getting details.I’ve not heard anything back about the double – door property (63 N. Lexington) – am not sure it’s still on the market.
These look like some very promising spaces, and a good range of types and prices. For those of us not so familiar with the area yet, can someone describe the pros and cons of each location?
ReplyDelete33 Carolina Lane - one advantage is having a lower level that we can sublet, perhaps to Urban Dharma fellows?
ReplyDeleteI'd move in for sure, given a cheap enough price. Eagle street location looks decent and quite affordable
ReplyDeleteSubletting, fellows, all good things.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, I talked with my dad this weekend, who lives in Asheville and is a business broker and works with real estate a bit. He had some insight into finding a place downtown. One thing, was that we might want to wait a couple of months to find something, since we don't need the space until April - he said commercial property moves fast (faster than residential property) and that once we show interest people would expect us to act fast and the space would be ready soon afterward. Essentially - if we don't need it for several months and aren't able to pay rent right now, maybe we should be patient. On top of that, winter can be tough on businesses downtown, so more might be available come early spring.
ReplyDeleteAlso, he said commercial real estate prices should be seen as negotiable - and we should, when the time is right, 'bid' lower than what is being asked. So that's good news!
He's also offered to help us in finding and securing a spot. He's a good negotiator, and knowledgeable about Asheville, so I'm glad he's offering his services!
All good advice from your dad and we would love for him to help us secure a good space and good landlord when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteA big reason why I am wanting us to start looking is so that we keep the energy focussed. Also, until we look into spaces, make calls, ask around, we will have no idea how much money we should be ready to spend/raise. Having some of these basic questions worked out - ideal/realistic location, ideal/realistic price, what kind of code-related issues we need to navigate depending on where and what kind of space etc. is all very important when people ask us say on the Nov. 7 event what we have done. So at least for now, we can say "Oh yes, we have been looking and researching and this is what we are able to determine, and this is what we think we would like to get...." I am quite cognizant that landlords are NOT waiting for us and that the earliest we want the space is in April/May. So, I say, we keep exploring spaces, keep doing research, keep our eyes and ears open. And keep putting the word out there.
That's the root-idea - create a critical momentum, educate ourselves on the market, practice dealing with property-brokers, etc. so that when the time comes, we will be ready to leap into "the fantastical."