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Purple flowers on the green roof at the Fay Street Lofts and The Warehouse Studios aren’t the only thing starting to bloom this spring over at the old Diggs building, formerly a meatpacking plant.

Don Shrubshell photo

By ANNIE NELSON of the Tribune’s staff

Published Sunday, April 13, 2008

Columbia’s second warehouse art studio space is a project of founder Stephanie Lyons and local architect Brian Pape, and it will differ from the Orr Street Studios by offering live-in loft spaces, as well as open studio memberships, or access for artists to work space for a $99 a month membership fee. Warehouse Studios also will offer private studios similar to Orr Street Studios, Lyons said.

On the south side of the building - the commercial side that will hold retail space, classrooms, a gallery, private studios and open studio space - dividing walls have been built, drywall is going up, sprinklers are in and the oak staircase leading to the second floor is installed.

I recently dropped by the historic Mule Barn to map out various outlets for future uses at The Warehouse Studios. Every time I stop by...no matter how often...there is enormous progress. All the electrical outlets have been established. I designated cable and phone outlets on Friday. They are working on the windows in the Ceramics Studio and preparing the floor for more concrete to be poured. Insulation was pumping into the ceilings throughout the building.

Excited to see the changes? Contact us and schedule a tour. People are selecting their spaces, planning personal improvements, and signing leases. Hurry! Get in now while space is still available.

As everyone awaits The Warehouse Studios' opening, we await completion of the building. Estimating our opening date is such a tricky subject. All I can do is continue to give updates on our website. The occupancy review has been pushed back to December or January because the fire sprinkler people still havent made it over to the commercial side. They are just finishing the Fay Street Lofts this week and next week. After that, the commercial side and The Warehouse Studios section will be addressed. Once fire sprinklers are in, they can start finishing out our areas. Without an occupancy permit, studio spaces will not be accessible. Once we receive that approval from the city of Columbia, we will have a more accurate opening date. Please keep checking back for more updates. In the meantime, if you are interested in seeing the space, I can give private tours of the building. Contact us to set up a date/time.

Project Illuminates Arts

Old slaughterhouse space nears finish.

By MARY T. NGUYEN of the Tribune’s staff

Published Friday, October 26, 2007

Don Shrubshell photo. Adam, left, and Eric Wesbury of Wesbury Construction install skylight covers at Warehouse Studios and Fay Street Lofts at Fay and Hinkson streets. The building, below, is undergoing a renovation and will house a gallery and commercial space, as well as studio space.

Warehouse Studios and Fay Street Lofts even under construction are an escape from the surrounding industrial neighborhood. Outside, the shell of the Diggs building, once an old mule skinners’ barn and meatpacking company, remains intact. Every original brick is there from 1919, when the building was erected.

Inside, the scents of sawdust and fresh paint permeate the building. The north side, which will house eight live-work studio apartments, is nearer completion, and the Warehouse Studios’ rooms are well under way.