Community Arts Stabilization Trust

?? Episode 3?? of #RealEstate101 is here! This time, we’re breaking down Operating Costs—what they are, why they matter, and how to plan for them when managing a space ???? While securing a lease or buying a space is a major expense, it’s the ongoing costs of keeping things running that often present the biggest hurdles. Understanding these costs is key to making informed decisions and sustaining your organization’s physical home. Got questions about real estate? Drop them in the comments or DM us—we might answer them in a future episode! ?? #AskCAST #OperatingCosts101 #BayAreaRealEstate #CommunityConnector #CASTSF

Open your textbooks, it’s time for a history lesson about our most recent acquisition, Warfield Commons ?? Built between 1909 and 1921, the upper floors of the 988 Market St building have quietly watched San Francisco grow and transform for over a century. While music legends like Louis Armstrong and Prince lit up the stage below, the spaces above were part of the city’s shifting story—from the early days of vaudeville to the tech boom that reshaped Mid-Market. Originally designed by architect G. Albert Lansburgh (who also designed the Golden Gate Theatre across the street), the building saw plenty of changes over the decades. By the 2010s, it got a major refresh—think outdoor deck featuring a stunning mural, bike lockers, showers (for those SF bike commutes!), and even special access to Warfield Theatre shows ????? But this building is more than just a cool renovation. It’s a piece of Mid-Market’s history. The Warfield Building has been a constant witness to all the ups and downs, from the bustling entertainment scene of the 1920s to the community-driven revitalization we see today. Spaces like these remind us that buildings hold stories—of the artists, workers, dreamers, and neighbors who’ve passed through their doors. We’re excited to be part of the next chapter for this iconic spot. What’s your favorite Warfield memory—whether from a show, a workday, or just walking by? Drop it below! ???? Images (courtesy of Bill Counter): 1. The Warfield Building, 1922, Jack Tillmany collection 2. Labor Day parade, September 3, 1945, George De Carvalho 3. Market Street, October 1962, Jack Tillmany collection 4. The Warfield Building, 1970, Sean Ault collection #WarfieldCommons #SFMidMarket #DowntownSF #SFBuilt #MidMarketHistory #CASTSF #ArtsAndCultureSF

Calling all BIPOC arts leaders, visionaries, and changemakers ?? Apply now for Thrive, a program for BIPOC arts leadership to help them develop skills to grow community, belonging, & confidence rooted in power. Shout out to Intersection for the Arts for creating such a vital and inspirational program at a time when we need it more than ever ??

?? We’re hiring a Real Estate Project Coordinator! ?? We are looking for a detail-oriented, organized, and curious Real Estate Project Coordinator to join our team in the Bay Area. If you're passionate about supporting artists and cultural spaces, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can help bring innovative projects to life—this role is for you! As a Project Coordinator, you'll work closely with our Real Estate team, helping manage exciting projects like the development of a Market Hall & Cultural Center in East Oakland and the transformation of a historic SF building into an independent media hub in Mid-Market. ???Full-time ???Salary + Benefits including health, dental & vision insurance, retirement (403b), pre-tax FSA accounts ???Office Location: San Francisco, hybrid office ???Applications open until position is filled Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/ga648ARQ #CASTSF #NowHiring #RealEstateJobs #CommunitySpaces #ProjectCoordinator #JobOpportunity #BayAreaJobs #SpaceToCreate #ArtsandCultureJobs

Are you a Bay Area artist who engages with community in your creative process? Check out this amazing opportunity from Bridge Live Arts! ??

“This investment reinforces what we've long known: that arts and culture are not just part of this neighborhood's history, but the key to its future. The vision of Mid-Market as a cultural haven will be a key driver of economic regeneration for our city.” Congratulations to Community Arts Stabilization Trust and KALW, a longstanding Bay Area public radio station, on purchasing San Francisco’s historic Warfield building as an arts and independent media hub! The Kenneth Rainin Foundation acted as a guarantor for KALW’s capital campaign and Community Vision CA provided below-market rate financing as the lender to make this project possible.

???In 2023, artists and community members came together to shape the vision for a new 90,000 square foot arts center at Pier 70. Through our #DreamingSpaces process, we partnered with Jensen Architects to lead a community design workshop with the Noonan Artists and 30 local artists and cultural workers to imagine what this creative space could be. What did we hear? ?? AFFORDABILITY – A space is only valuable if artists can afford to be there. ?? DIVERSITY – Spaces must honor the many cultures and art forms that define the Bay Area. ?? EQUITY – True success means equitable ownership and shared power. ?? COMMUNITY – A hub for artists to connect across generations and disciplines. ?? SUSTAINABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY – A space that lasts and serves all. This collective vision will guide the future arts building at Pier 70 and has continued to have ripple effects on how we approach our work across the Bay. ???Explore the concept design study that resulted and read the full story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gW55A9qJ #Pier70 #NoonanArtists #BayAreaArts #CreativePlacemaking #ArtsRealEstate #CommunityEngagement #CASTSF

ICYMI: Earlier this week, we announced an exciting new partnership between CAST and KALW to bring new life to San Francisco’s Mid-Market with Warfield Commons—a permanent home for independent media, arts, and community storytelling ????? ??Located at 988 Market Street, this historic building (originally built in 1921 and renovated in 2013) will provide space for independent journalists, media makers, and artists to collaborate, create, and engage with the community. ? Why This Matters: ? Protecting Independent Journalism – KALW is securing a permanent home to uplift new voices, report on critical issues in our city, and strengthen community storytelling in the Bay Area. ? Sustaining Arts & Culture – CAST is scaling its model of community-centered real estate so creative and cultural spaces can remain in the Bay Area, accessible to artists at below market rates. ? Cultivating Community in Mid-Market – Warfield Commons will be a hub for arts, media, and civic engagement in Mid-Market, building on the neighborhood’s creative legacy and ongoing efforts like Market Street Arts to catalyze change through arts and culture. ? Fostering Collaboration – Building on CAST’s mission of stabilizing cultural spaces (e.g., CounterPulse, The Luggage Store Gallery - 509 Cultural Center, 447 Minna), this project creates a collaborative ecosystem of media, arts, and cultural organizations under one roof. This isn’t just a building—it’s a long-term commitment to keeping community-rooted storytelling, journalism, and creative expression alive in San Francisco. More updates to come as we move toward an official opening in late Fall. ?? Click here to read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/gV7dxHSh ???Concept rendering of Warfield Commons by Minnie Phan #WarfieldCommons #CASTSF #CAST #KALW #ArtsAndMedia #MidMarketSF #CommunityPowered

?? Big news for Mid-Market! The historic Warfield Building has been acquired by Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) and will become an arts and media hub, with KALW Public Media as the anchor tenant. "This investment reinforces what we've long known: that arts and culture are not just part of this neighborhood's history, but the key to its future. The vision of Mid-Market as a cultural haven will be a key driver of economic regeneration for our city." - Steve Gibson, Executive Director, Mid-Market Foundation This investment builds on our Market Street Arts initiative and our programs like UNSTAGED and Busk It!, while complementing the work of CounterPulse and Luggage Store Gallery. Read the full story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

?? CAST and KALW have partnered to acquire the historic Warfield building ?? We’re joining forces to create the new “Warfield Commons” at the 48,313 square foot building at 988 Market Street adjacent to the Warfield Theatre, ensuring there is a permanent home for independent journalism, artists, and cultural organizations in Mid-Market. Thank you to the San Francisco Chronicle chronicle and Laura Waxmann for featuring this full circle moment from CAST’s beginnings working in Mid-Market (over 10 years ago CounterPulse and The Luggage Store Gallery - 509 Cultural Center!) to this milestone now—a major win for San Francisco’s arts, culture, and media communities! ??As co-owners of this multi-tenant space, KALW will expand its presence to two floors of offices, classrooms, production and podcast studios, while CAST will steward the property, continuing to provide artists, cultural workers, and creatives with below market leases and collaborative space to experiment and connect. This is just the beginning—stay tuned for more details soon! In the meantime, read the full SF Chronicle article to learn more about what this means for Mid-Market and beyond. ?? https://lnkd.in/gTpT7s7r #CASTSF #KALW #MidMarket #SFChronicle #ArtsAndCulture #CreativeCommunities #SanFrancisco #CommunityInvestment #CulturalResilience #WarfieldCommons