LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — A sign of a new era in Scranton.
The iconic Lace clock tower was lit Friday night at the site of the former Scranton Lace Company.
This is the first time the clock tower has been lit in almost 100 years since 1927.
The Scranton Lace Company was founded in 1897. It employed 1,600 workers. It was considered a modern “Google” workplace with many employee perks on-site, including a barbershop, a bowling alley, and an infirmary.
Business was booming until the 1950s and 60s. The factory abruptly closed in 2002.
Now, the original buildings will be turned into new apartments, townhomes, and even an event space for things like weddings.
Locals came to the event and were happy to see the building be preserved in some way for years to come.
"It was so important to the history of Scranton," said Frank Dubas from Scranton. "It's unbelievable that something like this can take on a new life like this for another century."
The developer shared the following information on Scranton Lace Company regarding its history and future plans:
- Lace Village is about preserving the legacy of a community-based company in order to build the future of a new thriving community in its footprint.
- 8 Buildings, which are the oldest (1891) and most historically significant, are being preserved along with the Historic Clock Tower.
- All of the brick and wood from the demolished buildings were reclaimed and repurposed. All of the reclaimed brick will be used in the construction of the new townhomes.
- The new Lace Village will feature residential units from 2 & 3-bedroom townhomes with parking for 4 cars to 1-bedroom loft apartments also with parking, located in different buildings and areas of the village, all connected by cobblestone pedestrian streets and gas flame streetlights.
- Lace Village will offer a mix of residential and commercial spaces to accommodate graduate students, young professionals, executives, remote workers, families with young children, empty nesters, and retirees, bringing together different generations to create an engaged, active, and social community.
- Lace Village will have free parking for all residents, on-site daycare for residents, an on-site community garden, outdoor fire pits and grilling areas, and pedestrian walkways connecting all residents to the Village Square at the foot of the iconic clock tower. In the building on the square, there will be a restaurant and coffee shop, while the upper floors overlooking the square will contain a gathering and workspace for the residents, a yoga studio, and collaborative spaces for project-based activities.
- There will be a dog park with outdoor dog washing stations, a bike rental shop, and an on-site trailhead for residents to access the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Trail on the banks of the Lackawanna River, which borders Lace Village.
- In the Courtyard between the oldest brick arched window historic buildings will be an impressive event space for weddings, concerts, and other such events known as "The Looms" event venue. Lace Village will create a sense of place for residents, businesses, and the general public as they live and socialize in history.