CultureMap Video

Raw transformation: An exclusive first look at DiverseWorks' new Midtown artvenue

The building that previously housed the beloved Cleburne Cafeteria on the corner of Fannin and Cleburne streets looks nothing like it did back in 1969 when the eatery closed in the location. Then again, it looks nothing like it did eight months ago when it was acquired in November by a group of investors (who wish to remain anonymous) and developed as Art Square Studios on Fannin by Kaldis Development Interests.

The exterior is no longer the rust color of brick. It has been painted white. A dark graphite hue on the soffits and fascia accentuates the roof line, windows and dormers. The color of the shingles fools the eye into thinking they are clay tile — they aren't.

This is the future residence of DiverseWorks Artspace, officially at 4102 Fannin St. — though the art presenter's entrance is accessible from Cleburne, where street parking is available.

"We wanted to be a part of this," Elizabeth Dunbar, DiverseWorks executive director, tells CultureMap on an impromptu tour of the premises. Dunbar was referring to her neighbors on the other side of the building— the artists who will occupy 21 work spaces in Art Square, where only two vacant spaces remain.

A huge, fresh air shared parking lot/patio where guests attending receptions, parties and socials could easily get carried away.

"It's important to become a part of this revival in preparation for the (proposed) Independent Arts Collaborative (at 3400 Main St., less than half-a-mile away)."

DiverseWorks' facade is a long uninspiring solid wall with a couple of doors — though not for long. Designer Kara Rockefeller Williams, the consultant helping Dunbar partition the open concept, plans to add lots of glass to the front and to the sides in places where windows originally hung to bring in natural light.

Inside, a door leads to an exterior alley from which the offices, a work in progress, can be accessed. The most exciting feature is on the second floor: A huge, open air parking lot/patio where guests attending receptions, parties and socials can easily get carried away.

Though the 5,500 raw warehouse is a blank slate, it's about half the size of DiverseWorks' current home just north of downtown. Dunbar thinks the new property can be divided into a visual arts gallery and a performing arts area that can accommodate up to 100 guests, coming close to the 110-seat capacity of the current location.

Her goal is to program many site-specific performances that won't require a physical theater.

But for larger shows that require a theater space, she's open to the possibility of renting other venues, like Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex or maybe returning to DiverseWorks' former home, for which Catastrophic Theatre is considering signing a lease, she says.

Catastrophic's officials declined to comment on these proceedings, but they acknowledged that they are exploring a myriad of possibilities, and that the company's next show will be at Frenetic Theater on Navigation.

Watch the video (above) for a short tour of the DiverseWorks new home at 4102 Fannin St.

unspecified series568664047

rent affordability news

Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

Dolce Midtown Apartments Houston

Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments

undefined

A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

"Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

Dallas – $71,413
Austin – $68,840
San Antonio – $58,590

zillow housing report rent prices affordability houston

Loading...