Railroad Square encompasses 10 acres in downtown Tallahassee, the previous site of the historic McDonnell lumber yard, which became the Downtown Industrial Park in the 1960's under owner William J. Boynton, Jr. In the mid-1970s his daughter, Nan Boynton, re-envisioned the park as a mecca for artists' studios and galleries and began to manifest this plan, replacing industrial tenants with regional artists looking for inexpensive studio spaces, including Florida State University's studio artist program. The current owners, Lily Boynton Kaye and Adam Boynton Kaye, have continued to foster the development of Railroad Square as a unique cultural destination. In the center of Tallahassee, Railroad Square Art Park is within ten-minutes walking distance of both Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Florida State University (FSU), and Florida's State Capitol Buildings are just one mile away. Railroad Avenue, the road on which one enters the Art Park, is a business artery between the two universities and is home to the historic Amtrak train station. Railroad Square also borders the exciting Gaines Street corridor redevelopment project and the upcoming FAMU Way extension.
For more than 30 years, many renowned artists have rented studios in Railroad Square, as well as other artisans and craftspeople. Academy Award-nominated film director Victor Nunez has an editing facility at Railroad Square. When you enter the park, on the left you will find a building with over 7,000 sq ft of space housing a vintage/retro store. Just past that you will see, Proof Brewery, Tallahassee's Largest Brewery. There is a knitting supplies shop, an herbal emporium, and many other unique locally owned shops. Many of the spaces are working studios and only open to the public during events, such as the First Friday Gallery Hop. Others are full-time galleries and shops. The red railroad caboose is home to The Crumbox restaurant.
To contact the Railroad Square Art Park leasing and management office, please call the Property Manager at (850) 224-1308 or email manager@railroadsquare.com
DIRECTIONS TO RAILROAD SQUARE ART PARK
From Downtown: Going south on Monroe Street past the Capitol Building, turn right onto Gaines Street. Go down the hill to Railroad Avenue, turn left. Cross the railroad track and then trun right into Railroad Square, before the traffic light at Wahnish Way.
From the Airport: Make a right onto Capital Circle, or HWY 319. Make a left on Springhill Rd. which turns into Lake Bradford Rd., after you cross over Orange Avenue (~3.25 mi. total.) Make a right onto Gaines St. at the Doak Campbell Stadium intersection. At the second stoplight, make a right on Railroad Avenue. Cross over the railroad tracks, and make a right hand turn into Railroad Square (before the light).
From the Interstate (I-10): Take the Monroe St. Exit #199 (Hwy 27) and head south 4.0 miles. Just past the Capitol (which sits at the head of Appalachee Pkwy, or Hwy 19/27,) ~1.8mi., is Gaines Street. Go west on Gaines St. 1/2 mile and make a left on to Railroad Ave. Cross over the railroad tracks, and make a right hand turn into Railroad Square (before the light).
Alternatively from the interstate, you can take the Thomasville Rd. Exit #203 (Hwy 319) and follow it South until it (narrows and then) puts you onto Monroe St. 4 mi. later. Go south on Monroe until you see Gaines St. (1.5 mi.) Make a right onto Gaines, then turn left 1/2 mile later onto Railroad Ave. Cross over the railroad tracks, and make a right hand turn into Railroad Square (before the light).
