About the Rebrand

Circle City Industrial Complex.

What images does that name evoke? That is the question we have asked ourselves since purchasing this massive property in 2015. The name hung, weathered and crumbling, from the side of the building for decades, but it did very little to tell a story about what was happening behind its walls.

While it’s true that the building still houses some industrial-adjacent uses - woodworking, metal working, etc. - the word “industrial” doesn’t begin to capture the magic of the community that has developed here: artists of all types, small businesses with big dreams, non-profits doing great things around Indy… we didn’t see an “industrial complex”. We saw culture. Camaraderie. Entrepreneurialism.

The name also did no justice to the rich history once housed here. For more than sixty years, the Schwitzer manufacturing facility called this place home. Its leader, Louis Schwitzer, cultivated a tight-knit family culture and pride in innovation. Schwitzer’s factory was more than a place where parts were made, it was where lifetime relationships were forged, along with a deep loyalty to Louie’s vision.

FACTORY ARTS DISTRICT

We have had the pleasure of meeting many of Schwitzer’s former employees who worked in this building from the 1960s to the late 1980s. In addition to their wonderful stories of Louie’s generosity and hands-on approach, many of them commented that they believed he would be thrilled to see his facility repurposed to house so much entrepreneurial spirit like his own. We would like to believe that is true.

While this building is no longer a factory in the strictest sense, we honor its history as Louis Schwitzer’s factory; and, today, instead of producing engine parts and cooling fans, Louie’s factory is a place that creates art, culture, and connection. Factory Arts District is a name that finally helps us tell that story.

FActory Arts North / Factory Arts South

After Teagen Development’s purchase in 2015, a section of the structure was removed to create a new parking area, dividing the original factory footprint into two separate buildings: 1125 Brookside Avenue and 1011 Massachusetts Avenue.

The Factory Arts District and its message encompasses both of these properties, but each building has a distinct personality. 1125 Brookside - now known as Factory Arts North - is the scrappy, bohemian, beating heart of the district: a place where affordable spaces and a can-do spirit have attracted a diverse mix of artists, entrepreneurs, makers, and more. 1011 Mass Ave - or Factory Arts South - is a completely renovated space filled with grassroots gathering spaces, including restaurants, a pilates studio, retail, services, an event center, and more.

The Logo