Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
In midtown, the new Metropolitan Artist Lofts—just a rock’s throw from KDHX-FM’s new, state-of-the-art studios and building—had a waiting list at press time. (Artists are strongly encouraged to apply; that name isn’t just for show.) Midtown developer Jassen Johnson, a partner with Renaissance Development Associates, says the neighborhood’s residential offerings skew toward apartments, with a mix of students, young professionals, and baby boomers. “In 2013, we’ve had hardly any vacancy at all,” he says.
In addition to luring 30 creative agencies to the neighborhood, Johnson and his colleagues have worked to draw in high-quality restaurants, including Small Batch, Dave Bailey’s new vegetarian-and-bourbon restaurant. Next up: retail. Johnson is currently focused on retooling the neighborhood’s most pedestrian-friendly stretch of Olive Street from office space into shops, bars, and restaurants. But he’s not about to forget living spaces.
“We’re looking at two more big development projects, and both of those have a residential component,” he says. “Whenever we bite off another development deal, we always try to incorporate some residential; it makes so much sense for the liveliness of the neighborhood, having both daytime and nighttime users.”
