Eberhard Faber Pencil Factory, Industrial landmark in Greenpoint, United States
The Eberhard Faber Pencil Factory is an industrial complex in Greenpoint spanning nine buildings across two blocks with Art Deco design features and expansive windows. The structures include concrete piers and decorative terra-cotta ornaments that reflect the building's original manufacturing purpose.
Following a destructive fire in Manhattan in 1872, German pencil maker Eberhard Faber moved his operations to Greenpoint and established the first American pencil manufacturing facility. This move marked the beginning of major industrial growth in the neighborhood.
The facility employed hundreds of workers from the surrounding neighborhood, mostly women, who brought German pencil-making techniques to American manufacturing. These workers shaped the character of Greenpoint and turned it into a center for industrial craftsmanship.
The buildings now house residential spaces, design studios, and the headquarters of technology company Kickstarter while preserving the original industrial architecture. Visitors can explore the exterior structure and photograph the preserved complex's visual details from the street level.
The complex's facade displays large yellow pencils protruding from the walls along with diamond shapes containing the company trademark stars. These playful design elements were originally created to make the site recognizable from passing trains.
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