Gorse Mill Studios Auction Delayed for 60 Days

After being delayed from Feb. 12 to March 25, the Gorse Mill Studios auction has again been pushed back, this time for another 60 days.

"At the 11^th hour, a settlement agreement was reached," explained Steve Branfman, Gorse Mill Studios creator.

A deal was reached on Wednesday evening between Branfman and business partner Lewis Cohen that will postpone an auction by Needham Bank. Additionally, Cohen will now assume sole responsibility for the project, while Branfman will be keeping a studio at Gorse Mill, albeit a different one from the one he has occupied for years.

"My role is changing drastically and for the better," he said.

Branfman will be moving from his second floor studio to the lower level space and will be a studio owner like the other 18 owners at Gorse Mill Studios. Branfman related that the terms of Wednesday's deal give "45 days to effectuate an agreement" regarding his studio.

"The irony is that I am buying a space in a project I created," he said.

The project was initially brought to the brink of auction, because studios remain unsold that would help pay back a loan to Needham Bank. The property houses 33 total studios and 15 have thus far been sold.

Each studio is purchased similar to a condo and is guaranteed to be used only for artistic or creative endeavors, according to special permits for the property. More information on the studios can be found at the Gorse Mill Studios website.

"The whole basis of the idea is to create working studios, not live in, that are owned and unique for artists," said Branfman.