The long vacant Northside Motor Exchange Building at 655 Scenic Highway, in the neighborhood newly rechristened as “downtown east,” is the new home of Artvark Ltd., an arts and interiors business. It’s the first of several arts-oriented tenants the building’s owners hope to attract to the historic, 8,600-square-foot structure, which includes 2,000 square feet of showroom space and a 6,600-square-foot warehouse.
“We’re using the showroom space in the front,” says Artvark owner Claire Major, whose husband, Rich Major, and son, Alex Major, own the building. “We’re hoping to use the warehouse space for something innovative like artist workspaces, microenterprises or open markets.”
The building renovation has been a family affair for the Majors. Rich, who co-founded Providence engineering firm, and Alex, an engineering student, have spent the past two years renovating the property. Claire owns Artvark, which sells unique, vintage furniture, as well as new and vintage décor and art. It was previously located in The Foyer on Perkins Road and, before that, in the retail center at 672 Jefferson Highway adjacent to MJ’s Café.
The Majors have spent some $100,000 renovating the property, with help from façade improvement grants from the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance and state and local historic building tax credits.
Rich Major is no stranger to historic renovation projects in the area between downtown and Mid City. He has invested in several properties there over the past decade, including the headquarters of Providence at 1201 Main St. He became interested in the Northside Motor Exchange building because he recognized its potential, Claire Major says.
She didn’t initially intend to move her business there, but believes the area, which borders downtown, Mid City and North Baton Rouge, is a transitioning neighborhood that is ripe for redevelopment.
“My hope is that people will buy the properties around here and bring them back it back to life and do something constructive with them,” she says. “It has been fun doing this one.”
The Majors are not the only pioneers of redevelopment in Downtown East. The area has a newly formed Downtown East Civic Association that is dedicated to restoring the neighborhood, eliminating blight and reinvigorating the area as an extension of downtown, according to Ken Duncan, DECA founding board member.
Artvark will hold its grand opening Feb. 12. The showroom will only be open for business two or three days a month, but the Majors are hoping to lease the warehouse space to full-time tenants.
—Stephanie Riegel
