Designed in the gothic style that gives Gotham its unique flavour, the Annex is designed around a large three-story space, with a quadrangle of rooms. What were once boxes and balconies are now small work areas and the building includes several garret flats, studios and a central area used to display new work. A number of small shops line the ground floor, selling students work and acting as an outlet for other artists and cottage industries throughout the city. One of these, a silversmith belonging to the eldest resident, has become so popular that its revenue could easily support the project should the funding ever dry up.
Atmosphere
As an Artist commune, the Annex can only be described as bohemian. Workspace is often shared by wildly different disciplines as painters and sculptors share their Muse with musicians and mimes. Beneath this seemingly aesthetic atmosphere swim the supernatural Muses. Changelings compete for the patronage of these artists and dreamers, alternatively inspiring greater achievements and exhausting the talent before they reach a respectable age.
The main hall acts as a Gallery, where up and coming artists can display their work for free and gain much needed exposure. The stage and the area where the orchestra pit once stood have been turned over for classes in the performing arts taught by a few staff and a wealth of volunteers from the cities other establishments.
A section of the top floor is set aside for the Manageress, Aislin, and used as her private appartment. This English rose has taken over all of the day to day running of the commune and handles the finances and space allocation for the fund.
Story
This listed building once housed the Gotham Philharmonic orchestra, before the Repertory was built for them. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and retains a place in the hearts of the Gothamites so important that the subway system was rerouted to prevent damage to its structure. When the Philanthropist owner of Ashlar industries built the St Clair reparatory to house the Philharmonic orchestra, a trust was set up to subsidise artists and college students at the Annex.
