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

bang for your buck

These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters

Bellaire, Texas

Facebook / City of Bellaire, Texas

undefined

Trying to afford buying a home in Houston is difficult enough with current mortgage rates, and doubly so if you're already paying high rent on an apartment or a house. But there are six Houston ZIP codes where renters can get the most bang for their buck, according to a new study by financial services company CashNetUSA.

To find the most affordable ZIP codes to rent in the U.S., analysts compared median household incomes by ZIP code to the average annual rent costs using the Zillow Observed Rent Index. ZIP codes where the average annual rental costs required the lowest percentage of median household income were considered the "most affordable."

Two Houston-area ZIP codes specifically stood out in CashNetUSA's ranking of the most affordable ZIP codes for renters in America: 77401 in Bellaire (No. 9) and 77094 in the Energy Corridor (No. 12).

According to the study's findings, the average monthly cost of a rental in Bellaire comes out to $2,401.25, and the median annual income of a Bellaire household is $210,577. Analysts then calculated that the annual rent of a home in the Bellaire ZIP code only takes up 13.68 percent of a household's median income, which is the ninth-lowest in the nation.

But as Houstonians know all too well, Bellaire residents aren't exactly struggling to pay their rent, seeing as they live in one of the wealthiest places in America.

Meanwhile in Houston's 77094 ZIP, annual rent costs only represent 13.88 percent of a household's median annual income. The area – which encompasses the Kingsland Estates, Green Trails, Green Trails Oaks, Windsor Park Estates, Windsor Park Lakes, and Barker neighborhoods – has a median household income of over $168,000, and average rent costs add up to $1,944.58, according to the study.

CashNetUSA found the No. 1 most affordable ZIP code for renters nationwide is 66224 in Leawood, Kansas, where annual rent only takes a 10.57 percent cut out of a household's median annual income.

Elsewhere in Texas, San Antonio's 78248 ZIP ranked as the No. 4 most affordable ZIP code for renters in the U.S., and the No. 1 most affordable ZIP code statewide. The North Texas ZIP code 75013 in Allen ranked two spots behind Houston to claim the No. 14 spot nationally.

The most affordable Houston ZIP codes for renters
CashNetUSA further unveiled the five most affordable ZIP codes across major U.S. cities, including in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

Following 77094 (which took the No. 1 spot citywide) is 77008 (No. 2), which spans Greater Heights, Houston Heights, Shady Acres, and Lazybrook/Timbergrove. Rent costs in this ZIP code averaged out to $1,856 per month, the report found.

Landing in the No. 3 spot is 77024, which includes four of Houston's historic Memorial Villages, including Hedwig, Bunker Hill, Hunters Creek, and Piney Point. The report said average rent in the area comes out to $1,730 per month, which takes up 16.88 percent of a household's median annual income.

The remaining top two most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters are located in 77007 (Washington Avenue Coalition/Memorial Park, Rice Military, and Crestwood/Glen Cove) and 77345 in Kingwood, which is about 30 miles north of downtown Houston.

Loading...