Art space or office in 52 O Street Studios. 52 O Street Studios is a privately owned building that offers studio spaces to professional artists and creative businesses. At 35,000 square feet, the building is the largest of its kind in Washington, D.C. It has 4 floors of studio space and currently leases spaces to 50+ artists and business owners. ----------- The four-story warehouse at 52 O Street NW in Washington, DC was built by the Sanitary Grocery Company 1914 in what was then a remote, industrial part of town. It was designed by architect Clement Didden, who had previously assisted Richard Morris Hunt in the design of landmarks including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Over the years, the building has housed a meat-packing company, a plumbing company, a Hecht’s furniture factory, and Decca Records. Click here to read more about the history of the building. ​ 52 O Street was converted into artist studios in 1978 by Eric Rudd, who felt there was a shortage of affordable space for Washington-based artists. It was simple to convert the warehouse into art studios because of its open floor plan, ample windows, and high ceilings.