After waiting for something different...

[34pickemup]

...I found it! Here're the pictures of the new shop/house. Got a great deal on it. Built in 1922, it's part of the original York Ice Machinery facility. Now York International (probably best known for HVAC equipment) and in a different facility, they started out making the machinery to make ice. Includes everything brick that you can see in the pictures. Couldn't be more excited... Lots of work to do that'll take me away from the '34 build, but it's gonna be fun... The inside is the best part, with huge brick arches, massive riveted steel, and giant timbers everywhere...I'll have some decent shots of that soon...

 

[34pickemup]

Arg...probably put this in the wrong spot...sorry. Can't figure out how to move it.

 

[Red Green]

is this in york pa

 

[WolverineCoatings]

Awesome Dude... How many square feet is that?

 

[Itzkwik]

Awesome Dude... How many square feet is that?

If my old eyes are reading the sign on the wall in the second pic, its 25,000+ sq/ft.
Nice

 

[34pickemup]

is this in york pa

Yup, York, PA...soon to be my new home!

Awesome Dude... How many square feet is that?

Thanks! It's actually just a bit over 26,000 with the outdoor pad.

If my old eyes are reading the sign on the wall in the second pic, its 25,000+ sq/ft.
Nice

Thanks!

 

[Coach James]

You now own that whole brick building?

Coach

 

[Red Green]

With your own semi loading dock that should be usefull

 

[34pickemup]

You now own that whole brick building?

Coach

Yup, the whole kaboodle. Never would've thought it myself!

With your own semi loading dock that should be usefull

Yeah, that dock's an interesting one...it was an add-on and it had a ramp to get up to it inside, which is gone now, so it's actually kinda useless. The floor level inside is actually road level outside. So...dock's gonna go in exchange for some monster, swing out doors.

 

[Franz©]

Got any of the cast iron gague panels laying around there anyplace?

 

[34pickemup]

Got any of the cast iron gague panels laying around there anyplace?

It's pretty cleared out, but if you have a picture or better description I could tell ya...were they used on particular equipment?

 

[Franz©]

Cast iron gague panels were common to all YORK machines, about 18" x 2 feet and about half an inch thick.

A lot of the YORK castings are very collectable so PLEASE don't toss indiscriminately. Any engine room wall mountings are sought after.
Actual machine castings may not have much value.
I'll see if I can dig up a pic and post it.

 

[Franz©]

here are some gague panel pics from York's compeditors
The electric clock doesn't belong there.

 

[Elky]

Thats an amazing building!
Congrats on the purchase and please keep us updated with lots of pics!

 

[wrigh003]

Whoa. So how are you going to divide the living space from the commercial / shop / garage / industrial space? I would guess that a building that big would have been built in a couple of phases, so maybe look for the "little" 3000 square foot kickout somewhere and frame/brick up a wall between it and the main warehouse?

Congrats on the new acquisition- don't forget to post pictures as you go along. Neat.

 

[JMURiz]

AWESOME! What a great living/working shop space to work with! I'd have a field day planning that space out, best of luck.

 

[markb1]

Sounds like a dream come true. Can't wait to see and hear more, that could keep you busy for awhile.

 

[34pickemup]

Cast iron gague panels were common to all YORK machines, about 18" x 2 feet and about half an inch thick.

A lot of the YORK castings are very collectable so PLEASE don't toss indiscriminately. Any engine room wall mountings are sought after.
Actual machine castings may not have much value.
I'll see if I can dig up a pic and post it.

here are some gague panel pics from York's compeditors
The electric clock doesn't belong there.

Wow, thanks for the pictures. Definitely wouldn't toss anything like that as I'm trying to use the few remaining small pieces like that here and there in the rehab. Like I said, though...not much remains, unfortunately.

Thats an amazing building!
Congrats on the purchase and please keep us updated with lots of pics!

Thanks alot! Will do!

 

[milkovich]

You win!

This may be my ultimate idea of a garage/living space ever.

If you dont' mind me asking... how did you finance this? I have a friend who is trying to do the same thing (on a slightly smaller scale) but cant get personal financing on a business property and cant get a business loan for something that's not a business. Buildings like that go in the low six figure range all the time but I've never figured out how to get my hands on one.

If you paid cash for the whole thing, double congratulations, this looks like it will be the chance of a lifetime!

 

[34pickemup]

Whoa. So how are you going to divide the living space from the commercial / shop / garage / industrial space? I would guess that a building that big would have been built in a couple of phases, so maybe look for the "little" 3000 square foot kickout somewhere and frame/brick up a wall between it and the main warehouse?

Congrats on the new acquisition- don't forget to post pictures as you go along. Neat.

The third floor is a really neat space and is just about 3800 sq ft, with a back door that opens up onto a really cool roof that'll be made into a deck, plus there is access to one of the freight elevators there. There is a divided section on that floor that'll be good for bed/bath, etc. and everything else will remain very open. The first floor is 12,000+ sq. ft. so that'll be shop/garage/storage and actually has a couple 'small' rooms down there for clean room/machine shop and office or whatever. Probably will lease the second floor to one or two businesses.

AWESOME! What a great living/working shop space to work with! I'd have a field day planning that space out, best of luck.

Sounds like a dream come true. Can't wait to see and hear more, that could keep you busy for awhile.

Yeah, should definitely keep me out of trouble...or get me in more. It is s a dream come true...I have always loved old industrial buildings and never thought I'd be able to find something like this that was affordable/possible! Thanks so much for all the positive feed back!

 

[Aparatchik]

wow... you don't see that much in Oakland! I'd love to convert an old firehouse, school, church, whatever, into a live/work space, but there's nothing left 'undiscovered' here, nor would it be anywhere near affordable. Very curious to see where you go with this property, there's a ton of potential there!

 

[34pickemup]

You win!

This may be my ultimate idea of a garage/living space ever.

If you dont' mind me asking... how did you finance this? I have a friend who is trying to do the same thing (on a slightly smaller scale) but cant get personal financing on a business property and cant get a business loan for something that's not a business. Buildings like that go in the low six figure range all the time but I've never figured out how to get my hands on one.

If you paid cash for the whole thing, double congratulations, this looks like it will be the chance of a lifetime!

Alright...bit of a story...I'm 26 and a buddy and I have been avoiding mortgages and saving since getting out of college. We both have engineering backgrounds, but started a creative metal fabrication business on the side that has really been taking off. Using predominantly recycled metal we build functional, sculptural railings, signs, architectural cladding...just cool creative stuff that serves a purpose, too. We had been working out of my parents' grain silo that we put a door in, but this was mainly just equipment storage since it was only 150 sq ft. The asking price on the building was $150,000 so we decided it was worth pursuing-- final sale price was $107,500. The guy selling it was a fairly well-off realtor in his 60's, but had worked all sorts of jobs from construction to real estate and really believed in what we were doing so we owe him several thousand thanks. As much as I'd like to say we paid cash, we couldn't quite swing it and have improvements we needed right away so we contacted 5 or 6 banks...ended up going with Fulton Bank. Fairly local, on the ball, really good people. It's a commercial mortgage, which was made possible by the business, and we had to personally guarantee it, which is not a big deal. It does need some work, but is an excellent shell, with a recent new roof (done VERY well). We'll be installing a sprinkler system and windows in the entire third floor right away, which are big costs. It also has a minimal electrical service and no water. The majority of the work we'll be doing ourselves to keep costs reasonable. This is the boring part of it...the fun part is that it's this huge blank canvas...there're so many ideas and the possibilities are endless. I'm working as an engineer on a tugboat to help finance (two weeks on, two weeks off) and I'm always excited to get home and do a little more. 5 days to go!

 

[Jononon]

final sale price was $107,500.

I hate you !

I'm so jealous, I looked at a former Army building of similar style. but a mere 4,000sq ft, and with a badly built 1960s extension needing environmental remediation: $1.7m

Fantastic place, please keep posting the pics !

 

[78fj40]

I up through that area all of the time... I would love to be able to stop in and have a look around....I love old buildings. Used to explore when I was younger and before they threw the book at you if caught.....

anyway good luck with the build.

 

[PAToyota]

Excellent property! I'm up in the Harrisburg area myself. Congratulations to you and your friend! Looking forward to the progress pictures!

P.S. Sent you a PM...

 

[34pickemup]

I hate you !

I'm so jealous, I looked at a former Army building of similar style. but a mere 4,000sq ft, and with a badly built 1960s extension needing environmental remediation: $1.7m

Fantastic place, please keep posting the pics !

Yeah, I really didn't express how lucky we've been. I look back and it's just unreal how everything has fallen into place. All environmental remediation (and there wasn't much) had already been done, and the engineering firm next door had done most of the work and provided us with all the pertinent records, reports, etc.

I up through that area all of the time... I would love to be able to stop in and have a look around....I love old buildings. Used to explore when I was younger and before they threw the book at you if caught.....

anyway good luck with the build.

Excellent property! I'm up in the Harrisburg area myself. Congratulations to you and your friend! Looking forward to the progress pictures!

P.S. Sent you a PM...

Can't thank you guys enough for all the positive feedback! Give a shout if you want to stop by!

 

[milkovich]

Thanks 34, I might take you up on it if I'm on my way to Philly....

You STOLE that building. Normally, the roof is the reason they're so cheap. The roof goes, then everything else and those flat roofs are huge pains (I've been told).

I wish you guys the best of luck with the business. One thing is for sure, running your own business is NOT conducive to hobbies. Hope you get to keep some time on the side for personal fun stuff.

Can't wait for interior pics. 26,000 sq ft

 

[34pickemup]

Thanks 34, I might take you up on it if I'm on my way to Philly....

You STOLE that building. Normally, the roof is the reason they're so cheap. The roof goes, then everything else and those flat roofs are huge pains (I've been told).

I wish you guys the best of luck with the business. One thing is for sure, running your own business is NOT conducive to hobbies. Hope you get to keep some time on the side for personal fun stuff.

Can't wait for interior pics. 26,000 sq ft

Yeah we really ended up getting lucky on the price, the environmental, and how well the zoning worked out. Still haven't figured out how we got so lucky, but just kinda lets you know it was meant to be. Granted, we spent every waking moment from June to November dotting all our I's and crossing all our T's, but it was well worth it. Everyone in the city has been really helpful as well...

The roof used to be, from what we can tell, shingle over wood. This deteriorated and then rubber membrane was probably put on top, but then that, too, rotted. One of the two recent owners had that completely torn off and started fresh with 18 or 20g corrugated, galvanized roof panels, 2-3" styrofoam over that, with a heavy membrane on top of that. It'll be some upkeep to make that membrane last as long as possible and keeping all the seams caulked, but it's certainly a great starting point.

Lucky for us the business is something we started doing as fun on the side, anyway...so far so good. We just try to make sure there's always some fun in there and it seems to work out. But there is the need to take a break for fun trips now and then.

I really have to get some interior pics this time home. I didn't expect so much response. I truly am humbled and flattered. Thanks everybody.

Casey

 

[jay50]

Yeah, the city was anxious to get someone in that building so they could start paying taxes for all the city fatcat paychecks....
And once you do the first improvements, they will re-evaluate your property value and increase your taxes. Sooner or later you will not be able to afford it and it will be on the market again, all fixed up nice for someone to buy.

Seen this happen too many times....

 

[34pickemup]

Yeah, that's actually another stroke of luck we had. The city has an Artist Homestead Program we stumbled upon, and, after applying and being accepted we were each granted a forgiveable loan of $5000. That's a decent amount of money, but not all that much on a project of this magnitude. The most attractive part of the program is a tax abatement program, where, in recognition of you going out on a limb and investing time, money, and energy in the city the Redevelopment Authority has arranged for mitigation of tax increases by only taxing a percentage of the gradually increasing assesment, including improvements. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but it is reasonable and actually fairly generous. All of our permit fees are waived, too...forgot about that.

 

[Franz©]

34 if you aren't conversant with membrane roofing, do some studying.
GE & Dow are the major players, and the product can't be beat, IF properly installed. It needs to be serviced by qualified people if any service is necessary.
The warranty should be 30 years with a life longer than that.

Both manufacturers have excelent web sites and are helpful.

Remember the flapping kite attached to the top of the Fed Building in Ok City? Rubber roof that had to be cut apart after the implosion.

 

[5wndwcpe]

That is just astounding. Might come in real handy when the NSRA Nat's East rolls into town next June.

 

[SULLY]

Yeah, the city was anxious to get someone in that building so they could start paying taxes for all the city fatcat paychecks....
And once you do the first improvements, they will re-evaluate your property value and increase your taxes. Sooner or later you will not be able to afford it and it will be on the market again, all fixed up nice for someone to buy.

Seen this happen too many times....

WOW, what a Killjoy.


Sully.........
PS Congrats on the building. it looks awesome

 

[34pickemup]

34 if you aren't conversant with membrane roofing, do some studying.
GE & Dow are the major players, and the product can't be beat, IF properly installed. It needs to be serviced by qualified people if any service is necessary.
The warranty should be 30 years with a life longer than that.

Both manufacturers have excelent web sites and are helpful.

Remember the flapping kite attached to the top of the Fed Building in Ok City? Rubber roof that had to be cut apart after the implosion.

That's great info! Thanks, I'll look them up. Impressive, too...had no idea.

That is just astounding. Might come in real handy when the NSRA Nat's East rolls into town next June.

That's about 4 blocks away! Stop by if you're in town. Hopefully the '34'll be close to done by then...

 

[the fab shack]

You really got lucky on that piece of property. Something like that up here would cost easily half a mil, if not more. Good luck in converting it into something good. How is that area of York? We only ever goto a neighborhood down the other way off of Carisle road, not the way that goes into town (where the NSRA meet is).

 

[stimpee]

I knew as soon as I saw the pictures that it was in York, and I have a vague memory of driving by it somewhere over in the west york area just north of Market street perhaps?

I grew up in that area and remember driving by that place!

Good luck to you, it looks like a great find, and a lot of fun!

Steve

 

[RWD]

We'll be installing a sprinkler system and windows in the entire third floor right away, which are big costs. It also has a minimal electrical service and no water.

Look into Graham windows. They make commercial aluminum windows and are located in York.

 

[Quiksilver]

The building is incredible. I love the look of the old factories.

On another note, I am really intrigued by the business you and your friend have started. Can you post some pictures of the products that you have been producing? Metal art is awesome, especially when it is functional.

 

[34pickemup]

How is that area of York? We only ever goto a neighborhood down the other way off of Carisle road, not the way that goes into town (where the NSRA meet is).

I knew as soon as I saw the pictures that it was in York, and I have a vague memory of driving by it somewhere over in the west york area just north of Market street perhaps?

Just north of Market on W. Philadelphia. It's a decent area...we're pretty much the edge at this point, but there's growth from both sides. It's pretty quiet being in that industrial park, too...neat view from the roof at night.

Look into Graham windows. They make commercial aluminum windows and are located in York.

It's pretty much between them and EFCO at this point, but Graham's taking a while to get back to us. Would rather go with them since they're local, but we'll see... Thank you very much for the recommendation, though...I'll take all of them that I can get!

The building is incredible. I love the look of the old factories.

On another note, I am really intrigued by the business you and your friend have started. Can you post some pictures of the products that you have been producing? Metal art is awesome, especially when it is functional.

I'll see if I can dig up a few pics...don't have much with me out on the tug here. Thank you guys so much for all the well-wishes!

 

[34pickemup]

Errr...sorry if this is a bit O/T. The only thing I could gather are these couple of projects we did for an architect friend of ours in DC..he was putting a good sized straw bale addition on his house, which was how we found out about him. He asked what we liked to do, we told him the metal work, and we put together a few things for him...these have been great advertising for us since he works out of his home and has clients over frequently...

This is a railing we did for the stairs leading up to their second floor. He gave us some input on roughly what he was looking for and then let us have fun with the design... The mesh is from quarry shaker screens, the small ribbons from old hay rakes, the large main curves are of extremely pitted thick-wall pipe and round bar...all stuff we found at the local junkyard. Used a bunch of square head bolts we found in my folks' barn to hold the top portion in. I think the found-in-the-woods dogwood handrail is only on it in the first pic.