Image courtesy of IBA

Studio Enee and Ann Beha Architects will design South End-based community development corporation Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción’s new community arts center at 85 West Newton St.

The nonprofit’s Villa Victoria Center for the Arts which previously occupied the site was recently demolished because of structural deficiencies. 

The building which served as a long-time host to arts performances, weddings, political meetings and quinceañeras will be replaced by a new center designed by the two architectural firms, both of which are Latinx- and women-led companies. The organization has hosted livestreamed events to replace in-person arts events during the pandemic, and plans a series of virtual meetings to solicit community comment on the designs.

IBA was formed in 1968 to fight urban renewal plans that threatened to displace South End residents, and develops affordable housing and provides services for neighborhood residents.