Mixed-use residential and commercial property will reshape future of OSF company housing
Ashland, Ore.—The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has entered into a 25-year lease on a new housing development two blocks from its main theatre campus in downtown Ashland. A groundbreaking ceremony took place October 10 at Plaza East (189 & 199 Lithia Way), which will be built and owned by Adroit Construction and Mahar Homes and will include 34 residential units, with more than 6,000 square feet of commercial space suitable for offices or other uses.
“The ability to attract and retain top-flight artists is a cornerstone to OSF’s success, as their creative contributions bring to life the magic on our stages,” says OSF Artistic Director Nataki Garrett. “This once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the quality of company housing ensures they will have an exceptional experience while in Ashland, in both their professional and personal lives.”
The new development, which received unanimous approval from the Ashland Planning Commission and OSF Board of Directors, will both transform the quality of company housing and vastly improve the efficiency of operating OSF’s housing inventory. Through consolidation of a large proportion of leased housing under one roof at a prime location, and locking in pricing for the entire term of the lease, OSF is directly addressing short- and long-term cost instability, along with many related operating challenges—all while improving quality of life for its artists by creating a generally upgraded, uniform living standard for anyone residing in the building.
“We’re pleased to be partnering on this project with such a well-known local and regional institution in OSF that strives to provide the best possible housing for its company members,” says Tom Walker, CEO of Adroit Construction. “Our construction teams along with our partners at Mahar Homes are excited to be developing this unique, modern, and environmentally efficient mixed-use building, which will be a tremendous asset to downtown Ashland and the entire Rogue Valley community.”
OSF Company Manager Tara Kayton says, “We’re thrilled about the partnership with Adroit and Mahar, and that this project will bring so many benefits to OSF’s company and to Ashland. High-quality housing not only improves operational efficiencies, as an important component in realizing sustainable business practices, but also helps our artists integrate into the community and enjoy continued success at OSF.”