The Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) will soon have a new space to meet, rehearse and host certain shows.

For decades, BLO has rented space to rehearse at numerous venues in the city, which has proven difficult due to many organizations vying for little available space.

In 2024, the organization secured a lease for a permanent space in the Fort Point neighborhood owned by Midway Artist Studios on Channel Center Street.

Renovations to the space broke ground last month and in March 2026, that space will open as the BLO Opera and Community Studios.

“This is a space for artists to create and prepare productions,” said BLO Creative Director and CEO Brad Vernatter. “We’ve had such a difficult time finding reliable space for our artists.”

Over 800 artists are a part of the BLO in some capacity, said Vernatter.

“This is an issue that our organization has been working on for a long time,” said Vernatter.

The studios will feature large spaces for performances and audiences, offices, meeting rooms and practice rooms.

Vernatter said the space, which he described as a “creative center,” will be available for use for other local art and music organizations.

“It is a gathering space for the broader community,” said Vernatter. “I’m proud of the organization for realizing it and opening up our doors to welcome other opera companies.”

Vernatter noted that other Boston arts organizations deal with the same issue of finding reliable space as BLO has for so long.

The BLO has been operating in the space, which was once a boxing gym, without any renovations since the spring of 2024.

During that time, Vernatter said members learned where the studio needed most investment.

One point of emphasis in the renovation process has been “designing how sound travels through the space,” according to Vernatter.

He said that acoustic and sound properties of the studio are a “critical” component, and will help ensure that multiple groups of artists can rehearse simultaneously without sound overlap.

This will increase the amount of artwork that can happen inside of the studio, said Vernatter.

“We're knee deep in it right now,” said Vernatter of the renovation process.

Over $10 million has been raised to fund the project.

Vernatter said it is great to be a part of a thriving arts district in Fort Point.

“It is wonderful to have so many artists as our neighbors,” he said.

The organization plans to open the studio in March 2026 with a “Song of the Earth” concert, one of BLO’s staple shows.

For its biggest shows and concerts, BLO will continue to use larger venues around Boston such as Symphony Hall and Emerson Colonial Theatre.

“The development of the BLO Opera and Community Studios is an impact of the broader arts and cultural community in Boston,” said Vernatter. “This is a gathering space, a much needed resource.”