This post may be O/T and in the wrong place, so feel free to steer this in the proper direction if needed. Anyway, here is my situation: I am looking for someone to share my office/shop space/art gallery here in Berkeley, CA. My business partner passed away unexpectedly this past November and I don't want to carry the full cost of space on my own too much longer. I have a 5 year lease with about another 2.5 years left on it. It is a cool old industrial space that is about 3700sf and runs about $1/sf with slight increases each year. It was formerly an AAMCO transmission repair shop before we got it. I am an architect and we got the space primarily as our office space, but use it as a mixed combo of office/shop/art gallery. Up front along the street are a couple rooms which use to be the old office, but we cleaned it up and used as an art gallery and is about 750sf. We use the back work area as our shop space and have our desks in there too to do our architecture work on. The shop space has (2) good working lifts and (1) old non-working lift, (1) roll-up door, a toilet and is heated too. Now it is only me and my part-time bookkeeper. I have my Studebaker truck stuff in here and work on them when I have some free time. It all is a bit mixed together and sounds odd, but works out pretty well for what we do. The space is currently licensed by us through the city for retail up front and office in the rear. The city WILL NOT allow any OFFICIAL automotive/bike work/repair in this location anymore. They have told us that flat out. They don't want auto repair stuff in this area anymore and are trying to discourage it. But, there are currently (2) trans. repair shops on both sides of us. The city did tell me unofficially that they are ok with non-official hobby/personal auto stuff that doesn't require a business license - i.e. legit, taxes, etc. and that doesn't cause any problems. So, this is not a good option for someone trying to do any car stuff here as a business that needs to list this address as the official location or is going to otherwise get the attention of the city in a bad way. The front is good for some kind of retail, office or art gallery and the rear for shop space or even just storage or kind of all mixed together as we use it. I am looking for someone, or a couple of cool people to possibly share the space with. I realize this may be near impossible as the space and the way we use it requires unique considerations. I am looking to find someone to either share the space with or take over the whole space asap. I am meeting with the landlords this coming Weds. to discuss options. They are really cool people and have already said they are willing to help me out and discuss options. But, I want to be fair to them too and not just bail on the lease and leave them hanging. If you are interested, PM me and we can discuss details and possibilities. Thanks!
how much of the 3700 sq ft is available @ roughly $1 per sq ft? would it be ok to be doing a mix of metal and wood working in the rest? and is the "hobby" ok after dark or is it quiet time? thanks
I am pretty flexible about how the space is used as long as it is used considerately. A bit of after hours noise is ok, or has been with the neighbors so far. But, a lot of noise all the time might potentially be a problem. The building can absorb a fair amount of the sound and is not situated too badly, but loud planers and grinders, etc. at 11 pm all time might possibly generate some complaints. I've done some late night work and we have had some bands here that were pretty loud and no complaints so far. I am cool with wood working and do some myself. But, need to deal with dust and stuff considerately. I have a table saw, planer and joiner I use occasionally, outside during the day or along with a cheapy dust collector when inside. If interested, let's chat.
oh, also, space-wise, the whole back area would potentially be up for grabs for what ever depending on situation. The net open shop area minus the front office, toilet and storage room is about 2500sf or so probably with wood bow string truss ceiling that varies from about 11ft at sides to 15ft in the center.
have I seen this truck @ zeitgeist? (i work there) looks like one I've seen in the 'hood. when is this space available?
Probably not, I haven't been to Zeitgiest in a long time, but I do take it over to SF occasionally, but mostly just stay over in the east bay with it. The space is available now - the sooner the better for me. But, if you want the whole space for yourself, I would need a little time to move out.
photos of exterior trying to post a plan drawing of space too, but image not working at the moment for some unknown reason notice vicious guard dog in photo (space is alarmed as well when she is home sleeping after a hard days work)
It is posted on Craigslist now and am getting some interest, mainly for taking over the whole space. But, would love to figure out a way to stay and share it with some cool h.a.m.b.-er's or other similar types if possible. I have some interest from one h.a.m.b. guy, but not solid yet. So, if interested or know of someone who might be, let me know soon before I have to let it go. Thanks! http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/off/540119326.html
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