Creative business space opens in Lansdowne
LANSDOWNE » The creative juices will be flowing at an original new space in Lansdowne that encourages people to come in and work on their artistic and businessrelated projects.
Utility Works officially opened Friday evening to let local creative professionals use 7,500 square feet of creative workspace over three floors located in the borough’s business district at 32 E. Baltimore Ave. The building will offer over 40 studio spaces, open workshop spaces, private studios and “hot desks” and even more amenities in what is being called an art “incubator.”
After working on this project for the last two years, Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Debbie Brodeur said she was thrilled to finally open up.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” she said Friday afternoon. “We’re so excited for tonight, we think there’s going to be great interest.”
The idea for this coworking prospect started with the LEDC getting a grant from the Philadelphia Foundation to work with a consultant on what kind of business was needed in Lansdowne.
“We knew the greater Lansdowne area has an abundance of creative professionals,” she said. “Wouldn’t it be great were we could be able to be in a great place? We knew there was an unmet need.”
Creative spaces aside, business needs will be more attainable with marketing help, business training/referrals and other similar support will be available at Utility Works. The LEDC will be working with the Widener University Small Business Development Center and other agencies to provide small business classes. A conference room and revolving retail space are other amenities that are available.
Occupying the former Noel Schmidt Furniture store, renovation of the building started last year. A $95,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development was awarded in January to the LEDC to renovate the inside of the building.
In addition to fostering a creative environment, opening up Utility Works will serve as a dependable revenue stream to the nonprofit LEDC and help with the corporation’s goal of expanding economic development in the borough.
The building will also serve as the LEDC’s main office on the first floor and be the site of a new eatery when KayWay Juice Café opens next week.
Lansdowne Mayor Tony Campuzano thanked building owners Virginia and Mark Gavin for investing eight years into the property – mostly spent vacant before the LEDC stepped in — and believing in the borough and its growing business landscape.
“There’s a lot of exciting things in Lansdowne and we’re going to keep it going, this is only the beginning,” he said.
Utility Works will be using a membership-based model that lasts on a month-by-month basis with fees ranging from $100 to $275 depending on the type of space someone needs. For membership information visit their website which is simply utility.works.