ELY & WALKER APARTMENTS

Historic renovation and adaptive reuse to residential apartments

Previously Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company Factory No. 5, Ely-Walker Apartments is located at 221 South Main in downtown Kennett. Established in 1923, the factory was one of the main employers, not only of Kennett, but of the surrounding Boot Heel area of Missouri in Dunklin County. Ely & Walker provided jobs for this area of the state from 1923 until the factory closed in the 1980’s.

After years of neglect SWD Architects was commissioned to transform the shirt factory into a multifamily housing project. The large single story spaces with their large industrial style windows allowed for the design of generous open loft apartments with large community areas throughout the first floor.

A total of twenty four two bedroom units and twenty two one bedroom apartments are included in the design for this project. New onsite surface parking was provided on both sides of the facility allowing for added tenant convenience and access.

The adaptive reuse of the Ely and Walker Shirt Factory No. 5 has provided the community of Kennett, Missouri with affordable urban loft style apartments and preserved a historic structure that played a significant role in the life of the local community.

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COMPLETED - 2008