With the undertaking of the Blackbird Lofts and Artist Studios, Linda Metropulos, as Director of Artists and Cities, Inc., sought to accomplish two primary goals: create for sale housing and workspace so that artists could have an ownership stake in the community; and further contribute to the on-going revitalization effort in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The Blackbird is the first newly constructed building on butler Street, the neighborhood's commercial corridor, in over 50 years.

The Blackbird building is the third and final project by Artists and Cities, and the first development built from the ground up. The 45,000 square foot, LEED-registered building provides both residential and commercial space for artists. The first floor includes a gallery, workspace and a performance venue where artists can showcase their work. The second and third floors feature fifteen residential units ranging from 800 s.f. to 2,400 s.f. Of the seventeen total units, sixteen were sold within eight months of completion in August 2005.

Construction financing for $4.5 million Blackbird Lofts Project came from the Urban Redevelopment authority, PNC Bank and the CL Fund.

The second project by Artists and Cities, the Ice House Artist Studios, was designed to create practical and affordable workspace for artists. The space, a 44,000 square foot, long-abandoned 1907 icehouse, was converted into 32 spaces for artists and arts related businesses.

The $2.8 million project was funded through a combination of Historic Tax Credits, bank financing, foundation support and city and state loans and grants. Within a year of completion, the Ice House reached 100% occupancy, and in 2000 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The building is located along the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. The Ice House was one of the first projects undertaken as part of the current revitalization and redevelopment of the Lawrenceville neighborhood. It was given to the Lawrenceville Corporation in 2008.

The Spinning Plate Artist Lofts is the first project undertaken by Artists and Cities. The idea for the Spinning Plate came about from the desire to provide affordable housing and workspace for low-income artists and their families. The 65,000 square foot historic adaptation of a 1927 Hupmobile car dealership includes 37 apartments and a 1,500 s.f. gallery space. The apartments were designed to provide artists with both studio and living space.

Artists and Cities packaged $5.2 million in financing including Historic Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, URA financing, bank financing, philanthropic grants, Program-Related Investments and bridge financing from the Strategic Investment Fund.

The property opened in 1998 and has been at 100% occupancy since its opening. In 1999, It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, it was the first project to be completed in the significant re-development of the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Uptown Visioning Plan
a.m. Rodriguez Associates
WYEP
Action Housing Inc.
Rothschild/Doyno Collaborative
Hosanna House
Uptown Partners, Oakland Planning and Development and Hill Economic Development Corporation: Uptown Visioning Project