moving forward on the epic warner & swasey factory conversion —
Mission Possible: Long abandoned factory to become affordable housing in Cleveland
For over 40 years the abandoned Warner & Swasey Company building has been waiting for its next phase in life.
Author: Jeff Reidel, Isabel Lawrence
Published: 9:33 AM EDT July 2, 2023
Updated: 4:16 PM EDT July 3, 2023
CLEVELAND — “This is a tremendous opportunity and a really important catalyst for the neighborhood,” said the Director of Development for Pennrose, LLC, Geoffrey Milz.
The Warner and Swasey Company building looms near the intersection of East 55th and Carnegie Avenue. Crumbling brick and weathered steel, it sits vacant, a shell of its former self.
“When I look at buildings like this, my heart skips a beat,” remarked Milz. “I mean, you just can't help but to think about where it's been.
For eight decades, the building buzzed with manufacturing activity. Partners Worcester Warner and Ambrose Swasey created one of the world's top machine-tool makers. The company also gained international notoriety for building telescopes, an endeavor driven by Warner's passion for Astronomy. Later, it became a leading producer of turret lathes, used for mass production of parts. At its height, 7,000 people worked for Warner and Swasey. But by 1981, financial losses, a sale and industry consolidation forced the closure of several factories, including the Carnegie Avenue location.
“It was really the center and is the epicenter for MidTown,” stated Karis Tzeng, the VP of Planning for MidTown Cleveland. And I think even as it has been vacant for almost 40 years, still represents that.”
Today the Warner and Swasey building is targeted for a 66-million-dollar renovation, spearheaded by MidTown Cleveland and Pennrose, a real estate developer. Plans include mixed-income housing and commercial space with unilateral support from the local level.
“We currently need more housing, particularly that is affordable, that is for seniors, that is for families and for working professionals,” said Tzeng.
more + video:
https://www.wkyc.com/article/money/e...6-4963f94ac23a
In its current state, the abandoned Warner and Swasey Building has become an unofficial museum of street art. Showing off the work of Cleveland’s graffiti artists. MidTown Cleveland produced a short documentary to archive the images within the building:
• Video Link