Overview
When CounterPulse faced a threefold increase in rent in 2012, they approached Community Vision (formerly Northern California Community Loan Fund) and CAST to analyze their capacity to take on a new facility. With CAST’s leadership in clearing through debt and fronting the cost of development, CounterPulse secured a permanent space for performances, exhibitions, and arts activations.
In 2013, CAST acquired the former adult theater on Turk Street for $1.3 million to further its goal of securing permanent cultural space in the Mid-Market/Tenderloin area. Previously known as the Dollhouse, the building offered a rare opportunity for purchase as it was already designed to be a theater.
CounterPulse provides space and resources for emerging artists and cultural innovators and serves as an incubator for the creation of socially relevant, community-based art, performance, and culture.
Our Approach
In February 2015, CAST and CounterPulse officially broke ground on the construction project, which included an interior renovation designed by Jensen Architects to the existing historic two-story concrete frame building and full basement. In March 2016, CounterPulse moved into the building, now a newly transformed, vibrant performing arts space that includes two rehearsal studios, office space and a three-story lobby with full ADA access for performers with limited mobility.
CAST, in partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, helped build CounterPulse’s organizational capacity to purchase the building after a period of seven years through an innovative lease-to-own model that utilized financing from the Federal New Markets Tax Credits program. Over that timeframe, CAST provided a stable affordable lease so CounterPulse could continue programming and fundraising, in addition to supporting the building’s operations, property and asset management. CAST placed a deed restriction on the building to ensure that, if CounterPulse ever were to sell the building, the buyer would be required to be an arts nonprofit.
After completing a successful capital campaign to secure their stage in early 2023, CounterPulse purchased the building back from CAST and reached their goal of establishing a permanent home for the arts.
Impact
CounterPulse has been a mainstay of San Francisco’s experimental arts scene since its founding in 1991 (as 848 Performance Space). Since its move to 80 Turk Street, the organization has become an anchor institution on its block, bringing together diverse artists and audiences to serve the cultural vibrancy of the Tenderloin.
With tripled square footage from its previous location, CounterPulse can present multiple events and performances simultaneously, along with classes, artistic collaborations, and its youth theater-management training program for Tenderloin community members.
CounterPulse’s majority ownership serves as a powerful example of CAST’s founding vision: a contemporary arts organization’s completion of a lease-to-own model.
Read about CounterPulse’s success story
Related Press:
- For years, philanthropy has been trying to buy buildings for the arts. Now we know it works: Next City
- How one arts organization saved itself when Twitter move in next door: Fast Company
- CounterPulse within reach of building purchase in TL: Broke-Ass Stuart
- CounterPulse finalizes $7M acquisition of its San Francisco venue: San Francisco Business Times
- Downtown SF may be dead. But this arts organization just bought a building in the Tenderloin: The San Francisco Standard
- New funding model gives arts groups firmer footing in downtown S.F.: San Francisco Chronicle
