Use of basement space
October 23, 2013 8:10 PM Subscribe
I have a finished basement in Brooklyn with nothing to put in it. For what uses could I rent it?
Before you ask, yes, the landlord is okay with it.
I am the rare person in Brooklyn with possibly more space than I need. I live in a garden apartment of a row house, and I have a whole finished basement underneath that's mine. The basement isn't livable as there are no windows but it's drywalled and has a concrete floor and is relatively dry and there's power outlets and all that. It's mostly just been used for storage and to house the water heater and furnace and whatever else. I have nothing to put down there considering I can't even fill up my closets and cabinets upstairs. So I thought since I could use an extra buck, I could rent out the space for something.
First I thought: band rehearsal space. Because, well, I also don't have any neighbors [one side is an empty lot and the other is a house being renovated so it's empty] and the only other apartment in the building (above mine) is occupied by my friend, so she's cool with it too. But that might be pretty annoying.
I had a friend who was interested in using it for screen printing, but there's not a utility sink down there and he said that would be necessary for that kind of work.
So what other uses could you think of?
A few things that make it a less valuable space: 1) The basement doesn't have it's own entrance so they would be entering through my apartment. 2) I would prefer someone who doesn't require 24/7 access, ie someone who would want it at the same times every week or could give me some advance notice of their schedule. I don't expect to rent this space out for more than $200 or $300 a month depending on whatever.
I'm going to ask around through friend networks with the hope of finding someone trusted to use it for some kind of project space. I don't need to be told the risks of doing this, I'm just trying to brainstorm ideas for the use of the space for the time being.
Thanks!
Before you ask, yes, the landlord is okay with it.
I am the rare person in Brooklyn with possibly more space than I need. I live in a garden apartment of a row house, and I have a whole finished basement underneath that's mine. The basement isn't livable as there are no windows but it's drywalled and has a concrete floor and is relatively dry and there's power outlets and all that. It's mostly just been used for storage and to house the water heater and furnace and whatever else. I have nothing to put down there considering I can't even fill up my closets and cabinets upstairs. So I thought since I could use an extra buck, I could rent out the space for something.
First I thought: band rehearsal space. Because, well, I also don't have any neighbors [one side is an empty lot and the other is a house being renovated so it's empty] and the only other apartment in the building (above mine) is occupied by my friend, so she's cool with it too. But that might be pretty annoying.
I had a friend who was interested in using it for screen printing, but there's not a utility sink down there and he said that would be necessary for that kind of work.
So what other uses could you think of?
A few things that make it a less valuable space: 1) The basement doesn't have it's own entrance so they would be entering through my apartment. 2) I would prefer someone who doesn't require 24/7 access, ie someone who would want it at the same times every week or could give me some advance notice of their schedule. I don't expect to rent this space out for more than $200 or $300 a month depending on whatever.
I'm going to ask around through friend networks with the hope of finding someone trusted to use it for some kind of project space. I don't need to be told the risks of doing this, I'm just trying to brainstorm ideas for the use of the space for the time being.
Thanks!
Could you rent it out simply as some kind of -- possibly specialized -- storage?
As an example, I have an acquaintance who owns a canoe and doesn't have space for it in her condo. Because of the way Self-Storage units are generally constructed in order to get a space long enough to hold her 16 foot canoe, she has to rent quite a large space. Being able to store it in someone's basement or garage would be so much easier for her.
Store bikes for people in the winter? Store winter tires in the summer and summer tires in the winter?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:22 PM on October 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
As an example, I have an acquaintance who owns a canoe and doesn't have space for it in her condo. Because of the way Self-Storage units are generally constructed in order to get a space long enough to hold her 16 foot canoe, she has to rent quite a large space. Being able to store it in someone's basement or garage would be so much easier for her.
Store bikes for people in the winter? Store winter tires in the summer and summer tires in the winter?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:22 PM on October 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
Art studio? Not ideal since there's no natural light or sink, but might work for some type of artist. Tech workshop? Not having carpet would be a plus since it would cut down on static. The space sounds big enough to be a meeting or rehearsal space for a group of some kind, if you wouldn't mind having a group of people coming through your entryway.
Personally I would post a description of the space on craigslist and see what people respond with. Just be wary of anyone wanting to do some "horticulture" (because marijuana grow room).
posted by aspen1984 at 8:36 PM on October 23, 2013
Personally I would post a description of the space on craigslist and see what people respond with. Just be wary of anyone wanting to do some "horticulture" (because marijuana grow room).
posted by aspen1984 at 8:36 PM on October 23, 2013
Wait, I'm confused. Just post this room to CL and indicate that price will depend on number of entries per month + their impact on your place (ie how noisy they are), with your expectations being somewhere between 200-500/month for 2-4 days of access. Thinking of hypothetical users isn't as productive as finding a buyer :)
posted by samthemander at 8:47 PM on October 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 8:47 PM on October 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I'm not interested in posting to craigslist at this time. I will be going through my personal networks to allow for some kind of credibility/accountability, so I'd rather be able to tell people what kind of person/people I'm looking for.
posted by greta simone at 8:51 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by greta simone at 8:51 PM on October 23, 2013
I'm a former screenprinter and that was my first thought as well, but no water is a dealbreaker. I would think there are probably a lot of other kinds of artists who would be into it though. Another thought: build a fort or mini indoor teepee/cabin/whatever and put it on AirBNB.
posted by bradbane at 8:51 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by bradbane at 8:51 PM on October 23, 2013
If not a band rehearsal space, I'm guessing there is an apartment based drummer who would like to rock the fuck out once in a while.
posted by timsteil at 8:58 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by timsteil at 8:58 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Are there any small-scale construction projects going on in your neighborhood? A contractor might be interested in storing tools there during weekends. You could easily get $200 for four weekends and it would be pretty easy, you would just need to have someone there at 330pm on Fridays and 6am Mondays.
posted by mlis at 9:05 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mlis at 9:05 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Assuming you're in a brownstone/row house, you probably have around 500~1000 sqft of basement space, no? Going rates for art studio spaces in NYC can range from $1-$2 a sqft (good deal) to $2~$3 a sqft (typical for smaller spaces).
All that is to say that a utility sink, installed by a plumber, may pay for itself within a month or few.
posted by suedehead at 9:12 PM on October 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
All that is to say that a utility sink, installed by a plumber, may pay for itself within a month or few.
posted by suedehead at 9:12 PM on October 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
Also, booksellers in NYC are always looking for inexpensive space to store their inventory. That the basement is "relatively dry" might be an issue, though. A bookseller would want a bone dry environment.
posted by mlis at 9:12 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by mlis at 9:12 PM on October 23, 2013
There are no windows, though, so I would advise against renting to an artist who would be painting or spraying.
posted by mlis at 9:14 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by mlis at 9:14 PM on October 23, 2013
I get the aversion to Craigslist, but Listings Project is a weekly email for advertising exactly this kind of space to artists in NYC.
posted by caek at 9:36 PM on October 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by caek at 9:36 PM on October 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
Photography studio?
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:40 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:40 PM on October 23, 2013
Yoga studio.
posted by mochapickle at 9:41 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by mochapickle at 9:41 PM on October 23, 2013
band space. plus have a few parties. make good with the neighbors too. some bands will expect that they can either leave their drums there or that there will be drums made available. that's how we did it.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:43 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by Ironmouth at 9:43 PM on October 23, 2013
Workspace for creative types. Photo retouching, things like that. My husband is a photographer who is looking for space like that, so MeMail me if you want to discuss that.
posted by bedhead at 9:53 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by bedhead at 9:53 PM on October 23, 2013
If it houses the water heater, adding a sink would be a reasonable cost. Water is already down there. Besides water, how will the person renting it use the bathroom?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:17 PM on October 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:17 PM on October 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't think studio artists will want it due to the lack of natural light and 24-hour access. (Most of my artist friends find time for their art between a lot of other things, so wouldn't rent a space where they needed access on someone else's schedule.)
I actually think rehearsal space could work well, depending on what part of Brooklyn you're in. I wouldn't do a band rehearsal space if you live on a quiet block in Park Slope, but if you're in Bushwick I think that would be totally OK. What about some other kind of rehearsal space? Theatre or dance, maybe? Since it seems like you will have to seek out the right kind of tenant (due to the access through your apartment thing), what about finding musicians who play quiet or pleasant music? Folk musicians could be nice, or classical.
What about someone who wants office space to run a business, or co-working, or some other quiet workspace? If you have plentiful wifi, electrical outlets, and quiet, that could be ideal. One thing I noticed working in a coffee shop is that a lot of people who just work alone on their computer in silence can hang in the coffee shop workspace, but people who want to have meetings or conference calls are often looking for something more. Could you rent out your space for meetings?
posted by Sara C. at 10:38 PM on October 23, 2013
I actually think rehearsal space could work well, depending on what part of Brooklyn you're in. I wouldn't do a band rehearsal space if you live on a quiet block in Park Slope, but if you're in Bushwick I think that would be totally OK. What about some other kind of rehearsal space? Theatre or dance, maybe? Since it seems like you will have to seek out the right kind of tenant (due to the access through your apartment thing), what about finding musicians who play quiet or pleasant music? Folk musicians could be nice, or classical.
What about someone who wants office space to run a business, or co-working, or some other quiet workspace? If you have plentiful wifi, electrical outlets, and quiet, that could be ideal. One thing I noticed working in a coffee shop is that a lot of people who just work alone on their computer in silence can hang in the coffee shop workspace, but people who want to have meetings or conference calls are often looking for something more. Could you rent out your space for meetings?
posted by Sara C. at 10:38 PM on October 23, 2013
This is kind of out of left field, but what about converting it to a black box theatre? I once went to a party thrown by a family who had a small theatre in a shed in their back yard, in Park Slope (yes it was extremely Royal Tannenbaums, why do you ask?). They seemed to get away with it and even put on shows that people actually attended.
posted by Sara C. at 10:40 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Sara C. at 10:40 PM on October 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
A woodworking space! I don't think it will need a sink, just room for a work bench and power outlets for the saws, etc. also woodworking tools are quite expensive so it would be nice for someone to store them in an occupied house instead of an empty storage type space.
posted by ukdanae at 11:58 PM on October 23, 2013
posted by ukdanae at 11:58 PM on October 23, 2013
I know that you're looking for ideas and not risks, but I suspect that local zoning regulations are going to have a huge impact on what you can do with this space, assuming that you want to stay on this side of the law. With no windows and only one means of entry/exit in case of a fire, your basement likely can't be used for anything like a commercial space or -- sweet Jesus -- a theater.
posted by hawkeye at 12:23 AM on October 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by hawkeye at 12:23 AM on October 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
I know a group of recent NYU grads who formed their own theater company and are having trouble finding rehearsal space for the shows they are creating. They are not as loud as a band, but they have gotten some noise complaints from other apartments where they've rehearsed. I guess experimental theater usually includes some shouting or weird noises.
But they don't have much money, so it would need to be cheap. And near an easy subway/bus station.
posted by CathyG at 6:24 AM on October 24, 2013
But they don't have much money, so it would need to be cheap. And near an easy subway/bus station.
posted by CathyG at 6:24 AM on October 24, 2013
1) The basement doesn't have it's own entrance so they would be entering through my apartment. 2) I would prefer someone who doesn't require 24/7 access, ie someone who would want it at the same times every week or could give me some advance notice of their schedule.
My gut thinks these could be deal-breakers for a band rehearsal space, depending on how active/serious the band is.
I think a lot of clubs in the NYC area have drum sets & amps in-house, so the band won't necessarily be carting heavy gear in & out of the basement at all kinds of odd hours when they have a gig, but if I had a nickel for every time I've heard a band member say, "Oh shit, I left [small but crucial piece of equipment] at the practice space, I gotta rush over & get it right now!!", I'd probably be retired on a tropical island.
And schedule flexibility can be pretty important to a band - this week they need to practice on Wed instead of Thurs because the guitar player had to trade shifts with someone at his day job, two weeks later they want to put in extra time because they're working on new material or have a big show coming up, etc etc etc. Plus it's nice to have a place where you can make noise even if the full band isn't there. You can fiddle with your amp settings, try out a new pedal, meet with the guy from craigslist who's got a lightly used cymbal that you might want, like that.
So I would suspect in reality your (entirely reasonable) limitations would actually be too limiting for a band, or you're gonna wind up fielding a lot of phone calls asking for access to the basement & the ability to make a racket outside of the previously agreed-upon schedule.
I think an artist/craftsperson space or a theater/dance rehearsal space would be easier for you to deal with even if they need or want some schedule flexibility.
posted by soundguy99 at 10:18 AM on October 24, 2013
My gut thinks these could be deal-breakers for a band rehearsal space, depending on how active/serious the band is.
I think a lot of clubs in the NYC area have drum sets & amps in-house, so the band won't necessarily be carting heavy gear in & out of the basement at all kinds of odd hours when they have a gig, but if I had a nickel for every time I've heard a band member say, "Oh shit, I left [small but crucial piece of equipment] at the practice space, I gotta rush over & get it right now!!", I'd probably be retired on a tropical island.
And schedule flexibility can be pretty important to a band - this week they need to practice on Wed instead of Thurs because the guitar player had to trade shifts with someone at his day job, two weeks later they want to put in extra time because they're working on new material or have a big show coming up, etc etc etc. Plus it's nice to have a place where you can make noise even if the full band isn't there. You can fiddle with your amp settings, try out a new pedal, meet with the guy from craigslist who's got a lightly used cymbal that you might want, like that.
So I would suspect in reality your (entirely reasonable) limitations would actually be too limiting for a band, or you're gonna wind up fielding a lot of phone calls asking for access to the basement & the ability to make a racket outside of the previously agreed-upon schedule.
I think an artist/craftsperson space or a theater/dance rehearsal space would be easier for you to deal with even if they need or want some schedule flexibility.
posted by soundguy99 at 10:18 AM on October 24, 2013
I'm thinking rehearsal space for soloists. Oboe or clarenet. You could do it for $20 per hour, it's a damn sight cheaper than in other places.
Another thought was a personal trainer and his/her customers.
I LOVE the idea of renting it out by the square foot for storage, but there may be issues with your renters insurance, so have everyone sign a waiver absolving you and the landlord of any liability should the joint flood or something.
Someone might want it for a "man cave". I've heard that groups of guys will rent a small space and disappear to it once in a while. Or on game day. Do you care if a bunch of dudes come to your house, sit on ugly furniture and watch a game on an enormous TV? That might be a thing. You'd have to allow access to a john.
Just some thoughts.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:42 AM on October 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another thought was a personal trainer and his/her customers.
I LOVE the idea of renting it out by the square foot for storage, but there may be issues with your renters insurance, so have everyone sign a waiver absolving you and the landlord of any liability should the joint flood or something.
Someone might want it for a "man cave". I've heard that groups of guys will rent a small space and disappear to it once in a while. Or on game day. Do you care if a bunch of dudes come to your house, sit on ugly furniture and watch a game on an enormous TV? That might be a thing. You'd have to allow access to a john.
Just some thoughts.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:42 AM on October 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Listings Project.
Not all artists care about the natural light thing. Lots of warehouse studios are boxed-off windowless spaces. Or maybe a recording studio? Plenty of recording engineers work during the day.
Honestly, I don't think you need to be too specific, even to make this happen through your network. Price it right and be upfront about your limitations, and I think you'll have your pick of renters.
I know that you're looking for ideas and not risks, but I suspect that local zoning regulations are going to have a huge impact on what you can do with this space, assuming that you want to stay on this side of the law. With no windows and only one means of entry/exit in case of a fire, your basement likely can't be used for anything like a commercial space or -- sweet Jesus -- a theater.
You can't possibly live in New York.
posted by the_blizz at 2:34 PM on October 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not all artists care about the natural light thing. Lots of warehouse studios are boxed-off windowless spaces. Or maybe a recording studio? Plenty of recording engineers work during the day.
Honestly, I don't think you need to be too specific, even to make this happen through your network. Price it right and be upfront about your limitations, and I think you'll have your pick of renters.
I know that you're looking for ideas and not risks, but I suspect that local zoning regulations are going to have a huge impact on what you can do with this space, assuming that you want to stay on this side of the law. With no windows and only one means of entry/exit in case of a fire, your basement likely can't be used for anything like a commercial space or -- sweet Jesus -- a theater.
You can't possibly live in New York.
posted by the_blizz at 2:34 PM on October 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Dungeon! You could make a lot more than 300 a month hiring it out to mistresses. Location + no neighbours, perfect.
posted by Mistress at 4:33 AM on November 1, 2013
posted by Mistress at 4:33 AM on November 1, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:19 PM on October 23, 2013