After more than nine months of construction, Creative Bloc—a collaborative workspace on the corner of North Eighth and Main streets downtown—is complete and open for business.
John Jackson, who invested more than $3 million acquiring and renovating the building into an 11,500-square-foot shared workspace for creative professionals, conceived the idea and was the first to relocate to the space with his video production company, Launch Media. Additional office space is still available for a second anchor tenant, Jackson says.
Creative Bloc targets those in video and audio production by offering tenants access to a full production studio, voice-over booth, green screen and common work area. So far, several smaller tenants have leased space in the building. They include NOVAC, a New Orleans-based nonprofit organization that focuses on workforce development in the audio and video professions; Out Da Bayou, a television series; Collin Richie Photography; Full Focus Outdoor Productions, and Catalyst Event Productions.
“There are so many great businesses already on Main Street,” Jackson says. “It’s a privilege to be joining their ranks and to have been able to participate in the current development of the street.”
In addition to shared workspace, Creative Bloc has up to 15 membership spots for those who don’t need a full-time office but want occasional access to the benefits of an office in the downtown area. Though membership is limited, Jackson says several memberships are still available. —Stephanie Riegel
