The Hollywood Arts Collective’s Cicely Tyson Residence is hosting a ribbon cutting

Officials are photographed during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hollywood Arts Collective, Cicely Tyson Residence, in Los Angeles on May 29, 2024.

Credit: Courtesy of Thomas Safran & Company

Artists now officially reside in Hollywood.

Officials from developer Thomas Safran & Associates and the city of Los Angeles gathered for a ribbon-cutting and open house celebration at the Hollywood Arts Collective’s Cicely Tyson apartment building on Wednesday to launch the 151-unit tax-exempt property in the heart of Hollywood. .

The seven-story property — named after the late icon and located at 1630 Schrader Street, near the Hollywood Walk of Fame — includes apartments, all occupied exclusively by artists (defined as someone who regularly engages in artistic and creative activity) or cultural practice and those who This practice is on a professional basis) and their families. Residents were selected first by lottery, then based on income requirements and other factors.

Speakers and attendees at Wednesday’s event included Safran, Keith McNaught, executive director of ECF’s Western Region, Garrett Ginn, senior vice president of global marketing at Bank of America, Tim Elliott, managing director at the Los Angeles Department of Housing, and Emma Howard, community development. . and Planning Director for Los Angeles Council District 13, Council Member Hugo Soto Martinez, Davis Hahn, District Representative for California State Senator Ben Allen, Armin Neshat, Deputy Director of Affordable Housing for Mayor Karen Bass, and property resident Erin Lim.

In his comments, Safran praised the key partners in the project and noted that the building is complete with green courtyards so residents can “look and see green. This is a passion of mine. “I love landscaping,” he said. The building consists of studios and one-bedroom units. and two and three-bedroom apartments with modern amenities. With secure access and on-site management and maintenance staff, residents also have access to a community room, computer lab, library, TV room, fitness room, and laundry facilities (last year, Hollywood Reporter I interviewed ECF Board President Annette Benning in one of the building’s units for a cover story.)

The celebration has been 14 years in the making, dating back to 2010, and the ride to completion has been a rollercoaster, as McNutt detailed from the podium as he praised the various officials who brought the project to the finish line. He reserved praise for Safran and his “amazing team,” part of a group he called the Angels.

“This has now become a community of storytellers, and the story of this Hollywood arts collective — which at the end of next year will include both the beautiful Cicely Tyson Residential Community and next year’s Rita Moreno Arts Building — is one of partnerships, perseverance and work,” McNutt said. “Gratitude.” “We first started talking to people in 2006 about a new idea: building affordable housing for artists in Los Angeles, and got our official start in 2010 with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs under the leadership of Olga Garay-English, and then – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Five years later, they lost their initial partners when the proposal was rejected, McNutt continued. Soon after, Thomas Safran & Associates entered the picture as a partner in the project, which was supported by former Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, city officials, donors and other sponsors. From Safran & Co., McNutt noted the efforts of Safran, Jordan Baines, Tyler Monroe, Courtney DeBaix and Sarah Dabbs. Other major sources of support have come from NEA, MusiCares, ArtPlace and Glorya Kaufman, McNutt added.

Many of the speakers paid tribute to the artists who make the Cicely Tyson Resident Building a community, so it was fitting that one of those with a mailbox there would have time on stage to share their experience of what it’s like to live there and be part of the one-of-a-kind development.

“Living at the Hollywood Arts Collective has given me access to a world of culture, creativity and endless possibilities,” said Lim. “From strolling along the Walk of Fame to watching a movie premiere at the historic TCL Chinese Theater, every moment spent in this bustling city is special.” “It is a reminder of the limitless opportunity that abounds.” “As I stand here today, I am grateful to Thomas Safran and our sponsors for providing growing artists with the opportunity to live and connect in this vibrant city.”