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The Metropolis Apartments have always been a little different—in the best way. Colorful, eclectic, and full of character, The Met has long been a magnet for artists, musicians, and creatives looking for a place that feels like home.
Over the years, residents have turned living rooms into rehearsal spaces, courtyards into concert venues, and casual conversations into collaborations. In this collection of stories, five current residents share what life at The Met has meant to them, how it’s shaped their work, sparked inspiration, and offered something rare in a changing city: a true creative community.
Longtime resident Chris Potter has called The Met home for nearly a decade. Whether he's working on films, writing scores, or in the studio recording tracks for his new original music project, the Met is the ideal place to manage all extensions of his artistry.
Here’s what he had to say about The Met:
The Metropolis reminds me of the Austin vibe that I felt when I moved here. Musician friendly, obviously, but very communal as well. I moved into “The Met” for preproduction and rehearsal of new music for TV, film, and other media.
To be able to work at home without spending money on rehearsal/recording studios is a blessing and totally unique. There are also opportunities to play in front of live audiences here (at home)! I feel the Met anchors the Austin culture regardless of whatever changes the city might be experiencing.
A relative newcomer to The Met, multimedia artist Dax Norman has his hands in a lot of projects, including the band Smoking Hand, creating hand-painted upcycled garments, releasing Artist Trading Cards, and much more. Recently, a few of his pieces have gone on display inside the Met Clubhouse, and most mornings, you can catch him in the Community Café working on new creative installations.
Here’s his story:
The Met helps me gather my ideas in a creative place and there are lots of friendly people here. I am really inspired by colors, so you know I love it around here every day. It is fun to walk around the space as well. It feels unique and in its own time.
Swimming daily is also an amazing part of living at the Met in the summertime. And the concerts here are spectacular. The music is always fun and lively, very well curated.
Musician Jerry Howard plays in the Austin bands Eva & The Vamps and Ole Creepy. He and his creative partner Eva both live here and play here, exemplifying the Metropolis motto through and through. Most mornings you'll find him swinging by the cafe for his morning cup of inspiration.
Here’s what Jerry said about The Met:
Been at the Metropolis apartments for a long while now as a local musician in Ole Creepy as well as Eva & the Vamps. It’s really an ideal place as we can practice here from noon till 10pm, meet other creative folks to work with on projects, it’s close to downtown, they have unique events here that cater to musicians, crafters, film makers and other artists.
The staff here make it fun and the maintenance crew here keep everything in working order the best they can, being that it is a really old building. Also, it can feel like a community here if you want it too. A pretty fun place!
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Trevor Helt can often be found in and around the property with guitar in hand, serenading passersby in song. That is to say, whenever he’s not already booked elsewhere, as he is a true troubadour of music, making his sole income off of playing live music as a full-time, working musician.
After a decade of calling the Met home, this is what Helt had to say:
I’ve lived at the Metropolis for years, and it's hands down the best place in Austin for a working musician.
You can actually practice at full volume, which is almost unheard of, and the whole place has this creative, artsy energy that makes it easy to connect with other musicians.
I’ve recorded multiple albums here and ended up collaborating with neighbors who became close friends. The staff really supports the music community, and that makes a huge difference.
The resident DJ of the many Metropolis parties and events, producer DJ Berlin is key to the fabric of the Metropolis community. Recently he transferred units into one of the Met’s unique floor plans featuring an extra “pie shaped” room he’s now lovingly converted into a small studio. Future plans include offering up his recording services for musician collaborations and recordings.
During our Summer Fest event, Berlin had the honor of being the first to utilize a custom made DJ booth (created by Fritz Welding, a family-owned, local Austin company). When asked what it’s been like living here at the Metropolis, Berlin had this to say:
Living at the Metropolis is like living on a cruise ship. Community-driven events and an understanding of what it means to be an Austin musician is why it’s been my home for 13 years.
From DJ sets to handmade fashion to late-night jam sessions, life at The Met continues to be shaped by the artists who live here. These stories of recording albums and making music with neighbors are just a few of the many stories these walls have heard.
The creativity shows no signs of slowing down, and we’re proud to be part of it.
Want your story to be the next chapter? Come visit, take a tour, and experience the atmosphere for yourself.
