The next life of the EBA building on Lark Street
When the EBA building went up for auction last month, Justin Miller was part of a group that entered a bid of almost half a million dollars for the Lark Street landmark. And they won.
Then it sunk in what they'd done. And some panic set in. They had just put up half a million dollars to buy a century-old theater building.
Feeling the need to walk, Miller headed over to McGeary's in downtown Albany.
"Tess, I've got to talk to you," he said he told Tess Collins, the pub's proprietor and local mainstay, when he arrived. He had a glass of water. They talked. He started to feel better. "She's always a steady hand."
And this week, standing in the second-floor theater space at Lark and Hudson, he was sounding excited and optimistic about what's next for the building.
Justin Miller, an attorney, and his wife, Jennifer, have teamed up with Jeff Buell of Sequence Development -- a longtime friend -- to buy the EBA building.
The Millers started on this path while searching for studio space for Jennifer, a teacher in the Albany school district and a yoga instructor. Along the way they started talking about maybe owning an event venue of some sort. Someday.
Buell and Sequence have been working on a string of mixed-use projects in Troy and Schenectady. He said he'd been looking for something in Albany, checked out a bunch of buildings, but nothing clicked.
Justin Miller and Jeff Buell
Then Maude Baum, founder of EBA and the owner of the building for four decades, put the dance company's space up for auction. Miller and Buell talked it over. Maybe this could work.
Their winning bid for the building was $497,000, plus a 12-percent auction fee. They hope to close in May.
The plan
Miller and Buell said Thursday they don't have an exact plan for the building, yet. But they envision using the theater space there as some sort of multi-use venue eventually, something that would draw visitors who could also patronize some of the restaurants and bars and other businesses along the commercial strip.
"We want to make sure this building is a beacon of light on Lark Street for a very long time," said Buell. "We think there's an opportunity to fit into the Lark Street vibe."
Toward that end, they've been meeting with neighborhood groups to talk over their plans. They were at the Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association this week, and have more appearances scheduled.
"We want to listen, to start, and hear what the community wants," said Miller.
They figure to invest another $1 million in upgrades for the building, including sprinklers -- maybe an elevator, too.
Buell said the allowed capacity of the theater space is currently 200 people, but with the upgrades that number should grow.
But that's down the road a bit. The first change will be conversion of space for the yoga studio.
And the Lark Street Flower Market? Buell said they're very happy to have the shop as a tenant.
What's not in the plan
Notably absent from the plan, given recent trends in the Capital Region's downtowns, is any sort of residential conversion. (The building does already have one apartment, which they plan on keeping.)
Buell said the theater could easily be carved up into living space. And considering the rents in the neighborhood, it wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Apartments are good investments," he said, "but sometimes you have to invest in your soul."
Maude Baum interjected: "If they put apartments in here it would have ripped my heart out."
"Also, I'm afraid of Maude," Buell followed up as the group let out a laugh.
Both Buell and Miller had a lot of praise for Baum's stewardship of the building and the role her org has played in the neighborhood. They're hoping EBA will hold some events there in the future.
"We're cognizant of the legacy," said Justin Miller. "We don't take that for granted."
____
Earlier: The EBA building on Lark Street is up for auction
Find It
EBA Building
351 Hudson Ave
Albany, NY 12210
Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.
Comments
I'd LOVE to see classes offered-- dance, exercise, cooking, languages, art, etc.! Do they have a parking lot? Good luck!
... said Stephanie on Mar 16, 2017 at 9:09 PM | link
What's going to happen to EBA though?
... said Hock4 on Mar 16, 2017 at 9:30 PM | link
Waste of space. Tear it down and build a 20 story high rise. That's what this area needs to grow and advance into 21st century. First 2 floors can be much needed mixed commercial.
... said Deisel on Mar 16, 2017 at 9:50 PM | link
Welcome to the neighborhood!
... said David Nardolillo on Mar 16, 2017 at 10:11 PM | link
And parking?
... said Coolio on Mar 16, 2017 at 11:58 PM | link
Man, I really hope this is the medium-sized venue Lark Street always needed. Throw concerts and events in Center Square, dinner before the show, drinks afterwards. Everyone wins. Please, oh please lets make this the next good venue Albany desperately needs.
... said Steve on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:38 AM | link
Interesting partnership. Wonder why someone would make such a large investment without a complete vision for the property. Or maybe there is one, but not one for the public to know about right now. I'm also interested in knowing more about the claim that developers and attorneys have souls...
... said ace on Mar 17, 2017 at 9:28 AM | link
Make Lark Street Great Again #MLSGA
... said Tony on Mar 17, 2017 at 9:45 AM | link
There is a parking a lot near there for $5 and metered parking on State street a few blocks away that is free after 5pm/6pm.
Everyone please shut up about parking.
... said Lauren on Mar 17, 2017 at 10:05 AM | link
How awesome- very excited to hear about these initial ideas to keep this building a venue. Good luck!
... said Deirdre on Mar 17, 2017 at 10:26 AM | link
The idea of a large theater space on Lark is interesting. But does this address a need of the neighborhood? Are we lacking for theater space? As someone mentioned, where would any business for a theater park in this neighborhood? It's possible that the NYS Hamilton St/Swan St. Lot has potential for a large public parking garage.
As "Deisel" said above, Albany needs to consider housing for the 21st century. We need modern, quality housing stock to boost the tax base. Center Square is a desirable neighborhood. An attractive apartment building with underground parking would quickly fill up. The area needs more people and more taxpayers to be viable. Much of the rental market takes advantage of the captive student market, as buildings in the student ghetto continue to deteriorate.
... said Sean on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:07 AM | link
Surprised and thrilled it's not the obvious residential conversion. It's hard to do a performance space this size on a for-profit basis, so here's hoping commercial rents can subsidize it adequately.
... said Stephanie on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:21 AM | link
Currently that man just bought his wife a very expensive yoga studio...
... said J on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:22 AM | link
"Tear it down and build a 20 story high rise"? Are you kidding me?? That would be completely incompatible with Lark Street's historic character. Geez.
I'm actually relieved that the building was purchased by a local developer with a good reputation, and by locals who I think will do right by the neighborhood.
... said Ellen on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:30 PM | link
I vote for opening another non-profit grassroots organization that represents the interests of oppressed with an all inclusive view toward diversity and establishing sustainable practices fighting the one percent while affording equal protection while deconstructing the post industrial post colonial era of our past yet providing locally sourced foods....organically of course....Ps also need three separate but equal bathrooms! Did I miss anything???
... said BS on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:11 PM | link
To see that Diesel's blatant trolling actually duped someone proves that there's a huge range of ideas on what Lark Street is and should become.
Basically, I'm just glad the building is in good hands. Sequence Development did such a great job with the Slidin' Dirty space in Troy, and the progress on the three State St buildings looks great so far.
I could see the space easily becoming something similar to Takk House... Maybe even host to indoor markets similar to the Half Moon Market?
... said Paul on Mar 17, 2017 at 4:07 PM | link
If you're worried about parking, stay in the sterile environment of the burbs, we go to Albany Civic Theatre, no parking, no problem, even Capital Rep has limited parking, make the most out of the venue. Even going to the theatre in NYC, guess what, no parking, but people still go. Enough about parking, the possibilities are limitless for this space, it will be great for Lark Street
... said Charlie on Mar 17, 2017 at 6:40 PM | link
I've always admired that building/space! Why not space to display artwork? It would make a great spot for antiquing or craftsmen. It could even work as a local grocery / produce site? It would be a great space for apartments !
... said Lynne Haley on Mar 17, 2017 at 7:10 PM | link
I can see this building from my home and adore it. It's one of my favorites on Lark. As a resident of the neighborhood, I think this is great! There are so many things you could do with it, and I look forward to seeing what comes. From community activities and classes to shows, it could be very exciting. Honestly I think there is a need for this in the neighborhood, and could bring some more life back to lark street and business to our restaurants and shops---business other than obnoxious drunk people who smash flower pots
... said Meg on Mar 17, 2017 at 9:49 PM | link
If they razed the building and slowly but steadily bought other buildings surrounding it and then razed those, they could create a massive parking lot. The lot could be state of the art-- with elegant blacktop, reflective paint lines, and even a tasteful chain link fence. It would be a perfect spot to meet up, shoot the breeze with fellow motorists, or even commit some petty crimes. Most lots in the Capital Region are small and don't offer the kind of anonymity that superstore or amusement park lots do. We need to get real, get with the times, and build a massive parking lot in the middle of an historic neighborhood.
But most important, it could be a perfect place to park your car if you're used to enduring the oppression of walking 1-2 blocks from a paid lot or Washington Park. That sort of human rights abuse shouldn't occur in 21st century Albany. I think these people should get some of the public money we're currently squandering on public transportation to make sure that I can park my car somewhere when I visit one of the non-parking spot locations that I would TOTALLY patronize if it were surrounded by a vast hellscape of asphalt.
... said Jamie on Mar 18, 2017 at 5:05 PM | link
In a bit more serious tone.... not sure what the investors need to at least break even......??? $5,000 per month???? More???? What grassroots business or artist display center can earn them that?? Maybe they want to take a loss or are really altruistic but the numbers need to work out.....people aren't the US government.....can't just create money out of thin air with a printing press(neither can they but they do)
... said BS on Mar 20, 2017 at 10:51 AM | link
Glad to be a part of the discussions here. As sick of seeing the word "parking" as some are it is a definite problem for almost any use of the building.
... said Gotham on Mar 30, 2017 at 3:18 PM | link