6 unique floors
1 Big community


PREMISE: If the creative community thrives, it will uplift the rest of Syracuse

CREATIVE
MISSION

The Gear Factory is a 65,000 square foot eclectic modern industrial space dedicated to facilitating the needs of creatives, housing a variety of rental studios that suit varying needs of artists, musicians and creative entrepreneurs. Flexible gallery and event spaces offer tenants and the community opportunities to share their work, gather and collaborate. We strive to help artists develop and grow their creative businesses!

A LOOK INSIDE

  • A DIY, eclectic and modern industrial feel.

  • A variety of rental studios suit the varying needs of artists, musicians and creative entrepreneurs.

  • Artist works at his canvas in a teal shirt.

    Tenants and the community share their work, gather and collaborate in flexible shared spaces throughout the building.

  • an evening party outside of the industrial building with string lights and musicians and people dancing and gathering

    Events held in and out of the building bring revitalization to community through creativity.

HISTORY

The Gear Factory has a rich history of inventiveness! Originally known as Brown-Lipe Gear Co. the building was erected in the early 1900’s under the vision of two inventors and entrepreneurs: Alexander Brown and Charles Lipe.

The architecture was ahead of the time a with its reinforced concrete beams and massive exterior windows. Brown and Lipe produced countless inventions including the Smith Premier typewriter, two-speed gear for bicycles, a cigar box making machine and a hand held corn planter. “The Lipe Shop” was known as Syracuse’s cradle of industries and their accomplishments were widely praised for being essential players in major business enterprises in Syracuse and beyond. Lipe even rented space to other inventors and entrepreneurs! At its height, Brown-Lipe Company had almost 5,000 employees whose focus was on constructing automobile differentials, transmission gears, and clutches.

TIMELINE OF THE GEAR FACTORY

  • 1906

    The building was erected in the early 1900’s under the vision of two inventors and entrepreneurs: Alexander Brown and Charles Lipe

  • BW image of the gear factory in the 1940s

    1942

    Brown-Lipe Company had almost 5,000 employees whose focus was on constructing automobile differentials, transmission gears, and clutches.

  • building with blocked up windows

    2012

    At this time cinderblocks replaced the windows and the building represented more of a monument to neglect than hope.

  • Artist works at his canvas in a teal shirt.

    2016

    With experience in construction and a life of loving and supporting arts and music, Rick started making the steps to bring The Gear Factory to life.

  • picture of Rick Destito with coffee in hand talking in the gear factory

    BUILDING VISIONARY

    Rick Destito bought 200 South Geddes Street in 2005, and renamed it “The Gear Factory” as tribute to its history and gesture toward the intention to continue the legacy of creative innovation in the city of Syracuse. watch video

FUTURE

The vision behind The Gear Factory is bigger than itself and even bigger than the arts community itself. It is a vision for a better future for Syracuse. Based on the belief that if the creative community thrives, so will everything else. That the arts are a foundation for economic stimulus in a city as well as the backbone for a higher quality of life for the people. There are more plans and more renovations to come. The Gear Factory also collaborates with various local organizations on city-wide improvements as well as grass root projects.