The Industrial Revolution transformed America. As factories sprouted up on every corner, the US economy was forever affected by the influence of manufacturing. But as it became cheaper to move labor overseas, a lot of those industrial sites became defunct, and were left to waste away. 

It’s not unusual to now find the structures that formerly housed factories and mills sitting vacant. In some cases, the buildings have been torn down, but their sites still sit unoccupied. This void creates an amazing opportunity for the next phase of American business to reimagine these buildings and sites and create something new, different, and equally as revolutionary. 

Whether through housing, technology, or tourism, some of the greatest minds in architecture find their inspiration in the sites of the past.

The Power to Create Housing

Many former industrial buildings and sites have been transformed into residences. At a time when a significant housing shortage is plaguing the country, finding unusual spots to create homes for families and individuals is a particularly exciting pursuit. But some of these locations have sprung up in places you’d likely never expect. 

For example, Toronto is transforming the former Downsview Airport into a 370-acre mixed-use community with 10% affordable housing. According to Fast Company, 40% of the units will be 2-bedroom or larger, in an effort to add to the city’s stock of affordable housing and family-friendly rentals.

Former factories have proven to be unique places to build housing, as well. The city of York, Pennsylvania. created 56 units of affordable housing on a site that was previously polluted and toxic, PD&R Edge reported. Originally a Danskin clothing factory site, the property is now safe, healthy, and filled with seven buildings and ample green space. A similar factory, a former tannery site in Nashua, New Hamp., will become 546 apartments and condos, the New Hampshire Business Review reported. Filled with everything from green space and resident recreation areas to a canoe and kayak launch, the pursuit will not only make an abandoned property productive, but will address the desperate need for housing.

Of course, not all examples of transitions to housing mean repurposing the original buildings. In Los Angeles, a former industrial storage facility will be transformed into a 376-unit housing community for low- and moderate-income residents earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI), Affordable Housing Finance reported.  Potential residents include teachers, nurses, and other essential workers, as well as individuals with Housing Choice Vouchers. It’s a great example of how industrial sites can be put to use to help all types of people find homes.

Forward-Thinking Technology

Technology is an industry that’s known for being forward-thinking, so it’s no surprise that some of the most innovative tech properties have grown out of former industrial sites. 

While Detroit will always be associated with automotive manufacturing, it’s exciting to see a former Ford Motor Company factory praised as being “the next great tech hub.” Neglected for 40 years, the 30-acre campus is now known as Michigan Central, self-described as “a hub in Detroit dedicated to advancing new tech, ideas, and programs for greater social, economic, and physical mobility.” The development of Michigan Central also brought in large companies like Google, and a venture platform called Newlab. Hailed as revolutionary, “the new campus might just be Detroit’s chance to rewrite the playbook for how Midwestern cities can attract top tech talent,” Fast Company reported.  

Also in Michigan, another example of airport site redevelopment came with the announcement of a potential new technology and logistics park that didn’t focus on public-facing businesses like hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. According to The Ticker, the $30 to $40 million project will emphasize technology and logistics companies that are lacking adequate space in the area. 

These new tech hubs aren’t just happening stateside. A former coal plant in Australia is set to be turned into a Tesla Megapack, a sustainable energy hub. A huge step forward in the world of clean energy, it’s a precursor to the increased emphasis on sustainability that will continue to grow its presence as time goes on. 

Travel and Tourism

As people continue to search for increasingly personal, unique travel experiences, former industrial sites are popping up as leaders in tourism. In Maine, the Lincoln Hotel recently debuted in a former mill. What started in the 1850s as the space that employed many of the town’s residents is now a fun and exciting new boutique hotel which also provides jobs for many area people. 

Similarly, a former cigar factory in Florida is set to become a boutique hotel, while a Schwinn Bicycle Factory in Chicago will become a 140-room hotel. You’ll even find factories turned into cultural institutions, like the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 

One of the most exciting aspects of redeveloping former industrial properties is transforming something that was left behind. By infusing creative thinking and innovative design into spaces that many see as beyond their expiration dates, the potential for new experiences is established. As companies continue to rely on international manufacturing, creative minds can take hold of these sites and turn them into the new wave of innovation.