After School Matters plans new space at 1065 N. Orleans

After School Matters, a nonprofit serving high schoolers with programs and opportunities, is planning the redevelopment of an old Catholic school building at 1065 N. Orleans. Located at the corner of N. Orleans St and W. Hill St, the building most recently served as the home of Architectural Artifacts, an antique dealer who recently moved their operation to Texas.

Designed by Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, the 36,000-square-foot building will be turned into a collaborative space that offers teens a black box theater, gymnasium, state-of-the-art culinary kitchen, art studios, STEM labs, wood shop and outdoor spaces for urban gardening. The nonprofit expects the building to serve approximately 1,500 teens each year.

The organization bought the building for more than $12 million and is fundraising a total of $27 million to cover the entire renovation cost. The community space is slated to open in 2025.