Another maker-tenant expanding at Industry City is custom bass guitar manufacturer Fodera Guitars, which expanded from 6,500 s/f to 13,000 s/f and has grown from 15 to 18 employees. Reflecting the diverse tenant roster at the complex, high-end kitchenware supplier Williams-Sonoma also expanded its photography and catalogue production facility from 24,000 s/f to 36,240 s/f for 15 employees.
"Industry City's tenants increasingly embody the diverse mix of modern-day makers that reflect the emerging innovation economy in New York" said Andrew Kimball, CEO of Industry City. "We are building a community where makers of a broad range of physical, digital and engineered products can come together to design, produce and sell their wares while creating much-needed local jobs."
In all, more than 100 businesses have signed new, renewed or expanded leases over the last six months at the century-old Industry City. These businesses - including 53 new, 45 renewed and four expanded tenants - represent a wide range of manufacturing sectors, occupy more than 300,000 square feet and employ more than 800 people.
The growth comes as a new partnership led by managing partner Jamestown Properties, Belvedere Capital and Angelo, Gordon & Co. have joined with the Schron and Fruchthandler families to recapitalize the property to convert its 30 acres into a hub for tech and manufacturing, with a focus on local job creation. The new partnership plans to upgrade the property, which currently houses fewer than 1,400 manufacturing jobs, in order to attract more modern-day manufacturing tenants and double employment over the next three years.
Industry City is currently working with Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, Center for Family Life, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow and others to establish community employment opportunities.
In an effort to cast a spotlight on artisan manufacturing in New York, Industry City launched a 22,000 square-foot marketplace for local makers in October, known as Factory Floor. The new space will act as a venue for makers to showcase and sell their quality and often hand-made goods to the public. The Factory Floor space debuted with a showcase of more than 40 furniture and home goods designers and is currently preparing for its next makers' market.
Recent growth at Industry City has begun to reserve a long decline at the storied manufacturing complex that was significantly damaged by Superstorm Sandy last year.
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