Reimagine TOJ Upstairs Project

The Reimagine TOJ Upstairs Project aims to create a safe, vibrant arts and culture space for the Chinatown-International District community. Read our final survey report and plans for the space here.

Cultural spaces make neighborhoods worth living in. The City of Seattle’s 2017 Cultural Space Report notes that neighborhoods with access to arts and culture spaces have happier residents, higher walk scores, and thriving businesses. Several arts spaces have been unable to survive pandemic closures, creating an even greater need to preserve and enliven spaces which remain. Theatre Off Jackson (TOJ) does not hold a long-term lease. However, TOJ has the opportunity to negotiate one, ensuring that residents and business owners in the Chinatown-International District neighborhood continue to have arts and culture spaces that increase the vibrancy of the neighborhood.

With the rise of gentrification in our Chinatown-International District (CID) neighborhood, it is critical that we preserve our art spaces for those who find a sense of belonging here. Reimagine TOJ Upstairs is an exciting opportunity for us to come together to co-design a 6500 square foot space located at 7th and Jackson on the upstairs floors of Theatre Off Jackson.

The Space

TOJ Upstairs is a vast 6500 sq. ft. space currently with a bar, gallery space, small performance stage, prep kitchen, bathroom, dressing room, and tons of couches. We can keep elements of what exists or significantly remodel the space. Here’s a video tour of the Upstairs space looks like now.

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Usage Constraints

• We cannot schedule use of the upstairs space while performances are happening in the downstairs theatre due to noise bleed issues. This means the upstairs space will be free to use during the weekday daytime and most weekday nights.
• The South-facing wall of the upstairs space is shared with the Milwaukee apartment building. Tenants must be mindful of noise levels after 11 pm.
• Tenants must adhere to Seattle Fire Code and the limits of our public assembly occupancy permit.

For additional information to frequently asked questions about the project, please visit our FAQs page.

Timeline

April 2021

• Open Survey Collection. TOJ gathered input from community members and organizations to understand community need for what the space could be — non-profit offices, co-working space, retreat space, a specific type of performance space, a combination of all these and/or something else.
• Hosted Community Town Halls to discuss the project.

May 2021

• Interested space partners contacted to better understand needs.

August 2021

• The findings produced into a public report for the TOJ Board, landlord, and current and potential funders to present various space and financial scenarios on how we can make this happen while being financially sustainable.

October 2021

• Survey results and plans for the space included in the TOJ newsletter. Read the final report here.

2022

• Design and planning for buildout.

2023

• The target buildout for the project will begin.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact TOJ Executive Director Pamala Mijatov pamala@theatreoffjackson.org.

This project is made possible with funding from 4Culture