Pretty, Vacant Building Seeks Creative, Wealthy Owner

The South Portland Armory's streamlined 1940s design and roomy interior make it ideal for a museum or arts space -- so why is no one buying?

1 minute read

January 12, 2006, 5:00 AM PST

By David Gest


The 25,000-square-foot former South Portland Armory building sits forlornly at the end of a major bridge in the Maine town, vacant since 1996. Over the years, a number of investors have come close to purchasing and rehabilitating the building, but for ten years, nothing has happened.

"But the armory would be the perfect spot for a multi-disciplinary arts center, with room for a performance-and-exhibition space, soundproof rehearsal rooms, photo darkrooms, small offices for business activities, and ample parking...A group of arts organizations, or individual artists, all looking for office space, gallery or performance space, or even just a conference room to hold business meetings, could get together to purchase the building."

Are there investors willing to step up and take advantage of this opportunity?

Friday, January 6, 2006 in Portland Phoenix

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