In 2017, XØ Projects Inc. and LMS Realty Associates LLC, completed a four-year, comprehensive feasibility study and planning/design process which produced two development plans to expand The Old American Can Factory facilities and community in both scale and scope. The expanded complex will be known as INDUSTRIANA®GC at The (OA) Can Factory.

The preferred scheme which assumes a zoning lot merger with the adjacent vacant lot, proposes a total of 450,000 SF of building on the new 1.5 acre zoning lot. The expansion would be mostly vertical – a high-rise building set upon a new low building on the east, bridging over the existing mill building, and resting on the former powerhouse on the west. In this scheme, all the existing historic structures would remain with no displacement of existing tenants or interruption of services, even during construction.

Programmatically, the low building would house a basilica with exhibition, performance and event spaces, all publicly accessible. The high-rise building would house offices for non-profit organizations, publishers and designers on the lower floors with work-live residential units for artists, artisans and other cultural professionals on the floors above. A percentage of the residential units would be dedicated for senior practitioners in addition to a portion dedicated to affordable housing under MIH zoning regulations. A library, dining and meeting facilities will occupy the top floors, crowned by an array of wooden water storage tanks.

This plan exemplifies many of the stated goals of the city’s Gowanus Neighborhood Plan and other city-wide policy goals, including to:  preserve/provide space for light/artisan manufacturing uses and good jobs;  preserve/provide space for public arts & cultural uses;  preserve/provide studios for artists;  provide housing for artists; provide housing for seniors; provide affordable housing;  preserve/enhance historic buildings, and; reinforce the overall ‘mixed-use’ life and character that is Gowanus.

Additional project information may be provided upon request.

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The proposed plans referred to are currently being re-evaluated following the City Council’s approval in November 2021 of the Gowanus Neighborhood Plan and the specific zoning designation for The OA Can Factory site.

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PROJECT CONSULTANTS

Appleseed Economic Development

BJH Advisors Financial Analysis              

Cumming Cost Estimating

Cycle Sustainability Analysis

Diana Reyna Strategic Consulting Community Affairs

FriedFrank Land Use Analysis

HOK Structural Engineering

Hornick Consulting Land Use Analysis

Lansing Warren Financial Analysis

Mueser Rutledge Geotech Engineering

New Netherland Advisors Project Management

Perkins + Will  Urban Planning      

Proskauer Rose Legal

Relboc Advisory Strategic Planning