Repurposing old industrial buildings for modern business In the past decade throughout suburban Philadelphia there has been a wave of demo- lition of old industrial buildings replaced by new high-density residential development. Townhouses, condos and apartments have sprung up in small boroughs where former industrial buildings once stood. While there is a need to increase new, high-density housing construction, it appears that this achievement is at the expense of older industrial facilities. Many will defend this action by stating that the old industrial plants are obsolete. New industrial facilities offer higher ceilings, more efficiency in utilities, better column spacing and an array of other benefits. But there is an important reason not to abandon these older plants, They serve as a potential incubator for many start-up companies and provide a less expensive location for expanding companies who do not need all the characteristics that modem construction offers. For years Brode & Brooks has specialized in renovating older plants into multi-tenant facilities, From Berks to Bucks to Mont- gomery and Northampton counties Brode & Brooks has experienced one successful pro- ject after another. Obviously, the tenat base is not Fortune 500 companies, but instead is the small entrepreneur who has started a busi- ness and needs inexpensive space to do their manufacturing. Following is one example. In 1986 Brode & Brooks purchased the old Royal Pants manufacturing plant in Perka- sie. This 80,000 square-foot building was divided into 12 rental units with renovation costs running in excess of $1,300,000. Today that facility is fully occupied by a variety of businesses. These businesses have generated a substantial workforce providing employ- ment that may not have been possible with high-price industrial rental rates. These ten- ants involve a broad spectrum of businesses: Eric & Christopher, a manufacturer of bags and pilows; Free Will Brewing, a brewer, North Penn Machine, a small specialized machine shop: Remedy Simulation, a medi- cal manufacturing finm; and Twin Aire USA, a distributor of parts for the ATV industry. These businesses have started at this facil- ity and have managed to expand as required. Space cost is an important aspect to a com- pany's success and survival, and these older renovated plants nomally offer a cost savings of up to 50% to these growing companies compared to modern buildings. While the process of demolition may appear "clean and new" in some of the regions older Boroughs, people need a place to work and not all busi- nesses can afford high-end rental rates. Submitted by E. J. Brooks, Brode & Brooks Inc. An older manufacturing plant in Perkasie, repurposed for today's new businesses. Repurposing old industrial buildings for modern business In the past decade throughout suburban Philadelphia there has been a wave of demo- lition of old industrial buildings replaced by new high-density residential development. Townhouses, condos and apartments have sprung up in small boroughs where former industrial buildings once stood. While there is a need to increase new, high-density housing construction, it appears that this achievement is at the expense of older industrial facilities. Many will defend this action by stating that the old industrial plants are obsolete. New industrial facilities offer higher ceilings, more efficiency in utilities, better column spacing and an array of other benefits. But there is an important reason not to abandon these older plants, They serve as a potential incubator for many start-up companies and provide a less expensive location for expanding companies who do not need all the characteristics that modem construction offers. For years Brode & Brooks has specialized in renovating older plants into multi-tenant facilities, From Berks to Bucks to Mont- gomery and Northampton counties Brode & Brooks has experienced one successful pro- ject after another. Obviously, the tenat base is not Fortune 500 companies, but instead is the small entrepreneur who has started a busi- ness and needs inexpensive space to do their manufacturing. Following is one example. In 1986 Brode & Brooks purchased the old Royal Pants manufacturing plant in Perka- sie. This 80,000 square-foot building was divided into 12 rental units with renovation costs running in excess of $1,300,000. Today that facility is fully occupied by a variety of businesses. These businesses have generated a substantial workforce providing employ- ment that may not have been possible with high-price industrial rental rates. These ten- ants involve a broad spectrum of businesses: Eric & Christopher, a manufacturer of bags and pilows; Free Will Brewing, a brewer, North Penn Machine, a small specialized machine shop: Remedy Simulation, a medi- cal manufacturing finm; and Twin Aire USA, a distributor of parts for the ATV industry. These businesses have started at this facil- ity and have managed to expand as required. Space cost is an important aspect to a com- pany's success and survival, and these older renovated plants nomally offer a cost savings of up to 50% to these growing companies compared to modern buildings. While the process of demolition may appear "clean and new" in some of the regions older Boroughs, people need a place to work and not all busi- nesses can afford high-end rental rates. Submitted by E. J. Brooks, Brode & Brooks Inc. An older manufacturing plant in Perkasie, repurposed for today's new businesses.