Berkey and Gay Furniture Company Factory
The Berkey and Gay Furniture Company Factory is a large industrial building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, constructed of light-colored brick with five floors and a flat roof divided into sections. The structure features rounded arch openings at street level in Romanesque Revival style, with extensive rows of windows across multiple levels, the oldest section dating to 1892.
The company was founded in the mid-1800s by William Berkey, who initially operated a small mill for window components before transitioning to furniture production. The factory building was constructed in 1892 and underwent multiple expansions through 1921, becoming one of the city's largest manufacturers until financial difficulties during the Depression led to closure in 1948.
The building is best visited during weekday business hours when the businesses and artists based inside are active. The exterior is freely accessible for pedestrians exploring the architecture, though accessing the interior spaces may require checking with tenants first.
The site originally spanned three city blocks with sequential expansions from 1892 to 1921, showing the evolution of factory design across decades in a single structure. After wartime use, the building transitioned into residential lofts and artist studios, preserving its massive open spaces and historic brick facade while serving entirely different purposes today.
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