Worcester, MA C.E. Floyd Company, a general contractor and construction manager, attended a groundbreaking celebration for Creative Hub Worcester, a community arts center, on October 10^th. Creative Hub co-founders Laura Marotta and Stacy Lord have been working on turning their vision into a reality since 2016.

Creative Hub is an adaptive reuse project, where C.E. Floyd and architect Lamoureux Pagano Associates will be transforming the former Ionic Ave. Boys Club into a community arts center. For the past five years, C.E. Floyd has been doing preconstruction work with Creative Hub to transform this century-old building into a space that fits Creative Hub’s needs, including incubator space, community arts classroom, artist studios, and event space for 200 people.

Several people attending the celebration had childhood ties to the Boys Club, including U.S. representative Jim McGovern, who learned to swim there. For many, the historic building represents a place where the community comes together to grow and celebrate one another.

Representative McGovern said, “Today we breathe new life into this building and this neighborhood. The Creative Hub Community Arts Center will highlight the important work of our local artists, and will be an economic boom to Main South. This building will soon be a second home to so many young people through programs and workshops and performances, providing kids an outlet to be creative.”

Marotta said, “We know this building project isn’t just about walls and windows, it’s about creating a safe, inclusive space where art can transform lives, a place where every person, regardless of background or circumstance, can discover the power of creativity. And as we approach this construction phase of our journey, I’m filled with hope. Not just because we’re so much closer to seeing this come to fruition, but because we’ve proven that resilience, when rooted in community, can turn the impossible into the inevitable.”

Along with hosting various artists and art programs, Creative Hub has also partnered with the Guild of St. Agnes to provide 80 fully subsidized and desperately needed preschool and childcare spots for Worcester families. 

Chris Floyd, president and CEO of C.E. Floyd said, “As a purpose-driven construction company, we’re excited to break ground on Creative Hub’s new home. This project brings real meaning to our work. Laura and Stacy have a compelling vision to serve the creative community in Worcester while preserving a precious historical building. Our journey together over the last five years has experienced many twists and turns, and we’re humbled to build Creative Hub’s vision to serve the people of Worcester.”

Creative Hub is currently operating out of a 4,000 s/f space around the corner at 653 Main St. They plan to keep both locations active once the 36,000 s/f Ionic Ave. space opens.

C.E. Floyd Company serves New England from its Massachusetts and Connecticut locations. The company provides preconstruction, general contracting, construction management and design/build services in the commercial, educational, healthcare, hospitality and senior living sectors and is a member of both the AGC and ABC.