At a press conference November 26, Jerry Gorski of Gorski Engineering, Inc. of Collegeville announced he is the owner and developer of an old textile mill in Quakertown Borough. Gorski will re-purpose the former home of the Best Made Silk Hosiery Company, which operated until the mid-1900’s. I have a particular passion for adaptive reuse projects, Gorski said. The ability to breathe new life into a nearly-obsolete facility is extremely rewarding. Following demolition of some newer additions, the finished building, called the Best Made Center, will measure 45,000 SF and will serve as corporate headquarters for at least two Bucks County companies.
The benefits to the borough, including an influx of workers and an upgraded streetscape, have been noted by officials at both the municipal and county level. Bucks County Commissioner Robert Loughery explained that this is Bucks County’s first loan project under its Bucks2Invest initiative. Gorski is receiving $470,000 in low interest loans. Univest Bank & Trust is also a financing partner.
At the press conference, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick hailed Gorski as a provider of a second chance for the building, located at 18 S. Fifth Street. He said old mills like this one are the "heart and soul" of local municipalities.
The primary tenant will be Synergis Technologies, Inc. Synergis President David Sharp, III said the move to the borough was eight years in the making. Working with Gorski Engineering, he said that several possibilities were investigated, including construction of a new facility on raw ground. But the old mill, he said, felt like home. Synergis’ 107 employees will occupy 23,000 SF of the building. The space will include offices, R & D space, collaborative space, conference rooms and classrooms for training students on Synergis’ software systems.
Former owner and current occupant Roselon Industries, Inc. will move out temporarily while Gorski renovates 10,600 SF of space for their office, warehouse and R & D space. Roselon President Robert Adams said that when the company moves back into the building in June they will celebrate 50 years in the same building. A third tenant will have the opportunity to lease 7,500 SF of space.
Contributed by Gorski Engineering, Inc., www.gorskiengineering.com.