YAYYY!
YOU RenTED ATELiER HalIfax!
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
And yes, there’s a lot of info, but please read throughly as most frequently asked questions are listed below for you.
If you need need the quick check out list, scroll to the bottom!
WE LOVE OUR SPACE AND WE KNOW YOU WILL TOO!
Our crazy dream was to take this old building in our home town of Halifax, Virginia that hasn’t seen love in a long, long time and we wanted to create a “blank canvas” for others to come in and use to make their own for events, shoots, and more! While we don’t claim to have a “PERFECT” space, we do have one that we know that will be well loved by people like you who can see beyond the imperfections to make it your own.
Let us know if you have recommendations or ideas on how we can make this place even better, and we will always consider and do our best!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, FEEL FREE TO TEXT OR CALL. 434-661-2926
GETTING IN
Please do not arrive before your scheduled time (others may be using the space) and please make sure you leave when you're supposed to as others will be coming in. Because our rentals are hourly, we cannot let you in before your purchased time to set up or drop off anything - so please plan your hourly rental accordingly for your needs.
Let Yourself Inside: Temporarily ALL renters will need to enter through either of the front doors on the main street. You will find a lock box attached to the handle. Use code 1099 to open the box and you will find a key to unlock the door. The locks are old, so feel free to give it a good shimmy if it does not seem to be cooperating.
When Leaving: Ensure the doors in the front are locked and return the key to the lock box.
Please be aware that there are security cameras in every room except the bathrooms. It is your responsibility to tell your clients about the cameras.
Parking for guests and clients: There is plenty of public parking around Downtown Halifax as well, including street parking out front (subject to availability). Simply look for the “P” signs for PUBLIC PARKING if the street parking is full. There are PLENTY of places around Downtown Halifax to park.
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF ATELIER
PlEaSe LeaVe it betTer than you found it.
A Friendly Reminder: Because we work off an “AS-IS” hourly rental system, we expect you and all renters to ensure the building is clean BEFORE you leave. If you leave Atelier a mess and do not clean up after yourself (read what’s expected of cleaning below) — a $100 charge will be automatically applied to the card on file. However, if anything seems off when you arrive, just give us a shout, and we'll sort it out together! Thanks a bunch!
1) You are welcome to move things but, you must return all of the furniture, plants, and decor to the spot it belongs. Please do not disassemble anything or remove anything from the building.
2) Please make sure all trash makes it into the trash cans (including glitter and confetti). If you are serving food, please take out trash bags with food in them and place them into the trashcans outside the back of the building, or feel free to take them across the street behind the adjacent buildings where you will find dumpsters.
3) Accidents happen! We get it. PLEASE note our backdrops ARE paper backdrops and are fragile. HANDLE THEM WITH CARE. If something breaks or a backdrop gets a tear, please let us know as soon as you can. We need to make sure we can get in there and fix whatever it is BEFORE the next person comes in. If we find that it was not an accident and there was clear negligence/not following instructions, a $100 fee will be charged to the card on file.
4) CHILDREN AND GUESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE RENTAL ROOM. You MUST ensure that the room stays locked and secure when you are finished moving items out so that nobody walks into the room. You may have a capable adult(s) to help you move items, otherwise, we are NOT responsible for any injuries caused by you or your guest’s negligence.
5) Farm tables and other heavy items require a TEAM LIFT so plan accordingly. We have dollies to assist in the rentals room.
6) Do not drag furniture (especially tables) you MUST pick them up and set them down, do not drag.
7) You are renting a self-serve and AS-IS building for only the amount of time you paid for. If you are hosting an event, please make sure rented enough time to setup and tear down.
8) The building is rented AS IS. We will not be there to assist with moving anything or cleaning up a mess if someone made one before your rental. We work on a good faith system, but if you find someone left the building in a total mess, please contact us immediatley.
9) Please be aware that there are security cameras in every room except the bathrooms. It is your responsibility to tell your clients about the cameras.
NESPRESSO COFFEE
We provide coffee for you (the renter & few others)! Please be mindful that this is NOT intended to be used for full sized events as we only keep a limited stock of Nespresso pods. However, if you want to bring your own pods for that, feel free to use our machine during your event! Our machine takes Vertuo pods.
MUSIC
GATHERING SPACE
We feature a pair of synchronized SONOS speakers—one situated in the front Gathering space and the other in the Bar area. Simply prompt Amazon Alexa to play your preferred music.
STUDIO ROOM
We have a “Marshall” speaker located on the shelf near the changing closet that is equipped with Amazon Alexa. Simply prompt Amazon Alexa to play your preferred music.
COMMANDS
Say “Alexa, play ______” and name a favorite artist or genera.
Say “Alexa, volume X number” to turn volume up or down.
Say “Alexa, turn off” to turn off the system.
FAQS & TROUBLESHOOTING
Is it possible to connect through BLUETOOTH?
While not our primary recommendation since our speakers are equipped with Amazon Alexa, it's certainly an option! Locate the Bluetooth button on the back of either Gathering Space SONOS speakers. For accessibility, use the small ladder found in the UTILITY closet to reach the button. Hold it down to establish a connection with your device. To synchronize the speakers for simultaneous playback, press and hold the PLAY button. For the Studio Marshall Speaker, the button it located on the back of the speaker. Simply hold to connect to the speaker via your device.
The speakers stopped syncing music, how do I fix it?
To re-synchronize the speakers for simultaneous playback, play start playing music from one speaker (does not matter which one) and then press and hold the PLAY button. The two will re-sync.
Can we move the speakers?
No. Our speakers are mounted and cannot be moved.
Can we bring our own speakers?
That’s fine!
yes, we haVe wi-fi for you.
WI-FI NETWORK: Atelier Halifax
PASSWORD: “ThinkHappy”
ThE StUDIO RoOM
The Studio Room
ACCESS CODE (if locked) — 5588# you must press pound for it to work
If you would like to leave the door open, the back of the door has a magnet that is located at the lower edge of the back of the door and will clip onto the baseboard to keep it open for you.
If you want to move the “in studio” props around, feel free to do that, just make sure you put it back where you found it.
Please be nice to our plant babies. They are just trying to live. You are welcomed to move them, but be please careful and gentle with them. They’re sensitive.
Heat & AC can be changed using the remotes on the shelf. We have two mini splits in the studio room, so feel free to turn it up or down based on your needs. Just turn them off as you leave.
Clean the room when you’re done and leave it better than you found it for the next guest.
Sweep/Vacuum if you made a mess, please! We have a broom and hand vacuum in the studio to help. If you need more brooms or a bigger vacuum, you can find that in our UTILITY closet.
Turn off the lights when you leave.
Be sure to take out your trash if you made a mess. Otherwise, if there’s not much, don’t worry about it!
PAPeR BACKDRoPS
Our backdrops are located in our Studio Room.
Please be extra nice and gentle to our backdrops, like most humans, they are sensitive :)
Our paper backdrops make it possible to get a whole bunch of looks all in one space!
If you are having people stand on the paper, they can stand on the “dirty” part towards the bottom — the bottom 6’. Yes — the bottom portion can get PRETTY dirty. We cut them often to keep them “fresh” — but if they are dirty, it happens and we intend for them to be WELL loved before we cut them. They are paper backdrops after all. If you find a backdrop is EXTRA dirty and cannot be photoshopped, let us know ASAP.
Do not roll up or fold the backdrops on the floor.
Do not cut the backdrops on your own.
Do not use our backdrops for smash the cake sessions (you are welcomed to do that on the faux "wood” floor) or other food/liquid items that could ruin our paper backdrops.
If you arrive and any of the backdrops are badly torn, please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you tear a backdrop please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Roll the backdrops SLOWLY down and back up to ensure they do not come off their chain. If a backdrop comes off the “chain” while rolling it down, please let us know ASAP and we will try to quickly help with the situation.
RenTal Room
ACCESS CoDE
For access to the rentals room (from the studio doors or the hallway door), the code for both is 2525# — Simply tap the door and the key pad will light up.
SUPER IMPORTANt
CHILDREN AND GUESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE RENTAL ROOM.
You MUST ensure that the room stays locked and secure when you are finished moving items out so that nobody walks into the room.
You may have a capable adult(s) to help you move items, otherwise, we are NOT responsible for any injuries caused by you or your guest’s negligence.
We are NOT responsible for any injuries or accidents while handling items.
MOVING RenTALS
If you are moving items to the Gathering Space, you may unchain the barn door and open it to move items out, but you MUST RE-CHAIN the door during your event or shoot to prevent guests and children from accessing the rental room. This room has items that are HEAVY and fragile. Items could fall and hurt someone or could be broken. YOU are responsible for ensuring the room is secure so that guests, especially children, DO NOT ENTER.
If you are moving items to the Studio Room, you may open both doors to move your items. You MUST close both doors during your shoot or event or shoot to prevent guests and children from accessing the rental room. This room has items that are HEAVY and fragile and could fall and hurt someone or could be broken. YOU are responsible for ensuring the room is secure so that guests, especially children, DO NOT ENTER.
We have several dollies to help move heavier items.
The farm tables are VERY HEAVY and require a TEAM LIFT as well as any other heavy items like couches. We are NOT on the property to help with this. Please be smart. Don’t hurt yourself. Plan to have help. You are responsible for ensuring you have adequate help to move heavier items. Atelier is NOT responsible for any injuries.
ClEaning & Returning RenTal items
After you finish using your rentals, please ensure they are clean before putting them back where you found them.
Tables and items with food present on them MUST be cleaned and wiped down after use so that the next people can come in after and use them cleaned. You can find out cleaning supplies inside the rental room labeled for use of these items.
For sofas and other items, insure you dry wipe them off if they are dirty and return them to where you found them. If an items gets a stain or something happens, please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so we can clean it.
If we find there was negligence to an item getting broken or stained (even if caused by a guest or client) - we will automatically charge $100 to your card on file. Please be careful.
thE GathEring space
The front doors will be locked when you arrive.
SUPER IMPORTANT
If you plan on hosting an event, you MUST have BOTH front doors FULLY open per fire & safety code. You MUST unlock both sides of the doors and open the middle latches so that both doors in the frame open.
Before you leave building, you must ensure ALL front doors are LOCKED including the middle latches. Otherwise, if you neglect to lock the middle latches, (even if locked on the turn key) the door will be able to be opened from the outside.
PLEASE TRIPLE CHECK THE FRONT DOORS ARE SECURELY LOCKED. If we find they are not properly locked, we will charge $50 to the card on file.
OTHeR INFO
Our lights are dimmable via the hallway switches.
Leave the gathering space & building better than you found it. Your rental is “AS-IS” meaning, someone before you may not have been as thoughtful as you, do better than them for the next person. Karma will be on your side. If you believe the space has been left a COMPLETE WRECK prior to your use, let us know ASAP, and we will take proper action and do everything we can to make it right.
Please SWEEP before you leave. We have brooms, dustpans, and a cordless vacuum located in the UTILITY room for you to use.
Empty ALL trash cans if food has been present and cans are full. You can find new trash bags (if not under the current one) in the UTILITY room. If we are out, let us know. We have cans behind the building you can toss your trash into, but if they are full, we recommend taking your trash with you.
When you leave, please turn off ALL of the lights and music.
MAX OCCUPANCY IS 125 peoplE
However, for a more comfortable event in our gathering space, we recommend keeping your numbers between 60-80 persons. Our front space is only 2,000 square feet, so please plan accordingly. Overflow can be moved into our back studio space if needed if you would like to increase those numbers to the max.
We designed this space to meet the needs of smaller to mid-sized events. We are not ideal for large events. If you somehow missed the multiple mentions of our occupancy before seeing this (it is listed on our main website multiple times) and planned for more, unfortunately we will not be able to host your event and you need to contact us IMMEDIATELY.
Our max occupancy is 125 and you MUST stay under that. We really want to keep everyone safe and happy, including you and your guests. If, by any chance we notice more than that number in there, unfortunately, we will have no choice but to get in touch with the proper authorities to make sure everything's okay and your event may have to be shut down. It's all about keeping the vibe positive and the space safe for everyone, so please keep all of this in mind when planning your event.
Thanks for being awesome and helping us out with following the rules that were given to us.
THe BAR & KITcHENETTE
If you are serving ALCOHOL of ANY kind, YOU MUST obtain a day of ABC Banquet license BY LAW and you MUST send us proof of this before your event.
If you plan to use our bar as a bar or for a buffet set up, please ensure when you are finished with your event that it is cleaned up, swept, wiped down, and take the out.
We do NOT provide ice or have an ice bin/cooler. Please plan accordingly for your events.
Our sinks DO NOT have disposals, so be careful with food and other misc. items going down them.
We have a VERY simple kitchenette with a few stainless steel tables, a refrigerator (it has a small freezer), and a serving window.
NO heating appliances are provided, so plan accordingly.
When you are finished with our kitchenette, please sweep, clean off tables, and wipe everything down (including the inside of the fridge if you or your caterer made a mess).
If you or your catering team have spilled something and need a mop or other cleaning items, you can access those in our UTILITY closet.
QUICK ChEck-out guide
BEFORe you lEaVe
LOCK both front doors, and ensure they are actually secure. If they still open, you may have left the middle locks open, just turn then down and re-lock the doors.
Clean up your trash and mess in any of the spaces that you used
Wipe down any messes you made
Sweep/vacuum the spaces that you used
Throw away your trash, and put a new bag in the can (if you did not really have trash, no worries)
Make sure Speakers are off when you leave - “Alexa, stop playing music” is all you have to say
Turn off ALL of the lights accept the string lights in the bar area, and the downstairs basement lights, they are automatic.
Close & LOCK the basement door and press the “KWIKSET” button to lock the door.
if you had RenTals
Clean your items (this is primarily for tables & chairs)
Put your items back in there designated locations
Return dollies to where you found them
Latch the barn door so that it is locked
Turn off the lights
Close the door(s) you entered from (it will automatically lock)
YAY!!! high Five!
We can’t wait to haVe you again!
P.S. Send us photos of your shoot or event!
We would LOVE to share!
THAT’S IT!
We cannot say thank you enough! If you need anything at all, give us a call or text!
Please don’t forget to throw away your trash, take out any trash with food in it, put back the rentals and props back CLEANED and where your found them, sweep any big messes (especially glitter & confetti), and make sure all the lights and music are turned off and ALL doors are locked and that you leave the space better than you found it.