The Cork Factory Hotel, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, is a hotel that opened in 2010 in a redeveloped cork factory dating to 1865. The plant was variously known as the Lancaster Cork Works and the Lancaster Closure Plant.
| Cork Factory Hotel | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Pennsylvania | |
| General information | |
| Location | 480 New Holland Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°02′46″N 76°17′43″W / 40.046167°N 76.295333°W |
History
editThe property was operated as a cork factory dating to 1865 and was acquired in the late 19th century by Armstrong Cork Co., later renamed Armstrong World Industries.[1] In 1929, Armstrong consolidated its cork operations at the site, making Lancaster "the 'cork capital' of the world".[2] At that time, the "Cork Works" on New Holland Avenue manufactured a wide array of cork products, including soles and heels for shoes and cork-lined metal tops for soft drink bottles.[3] The company's linoleum manufacturing business developed using by-products from cork manufacturing. The plant was later used for closure and plastic container manufacturing and became known as the Lancaster Closure Plant.[4]
In 1969, Armstrong sold its packaging business, including the Lancaster Closure Plant, to Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corp.[4][5] Kerr manufactured plastic bottles at the plant but ceased operations there in 2000.[6]
Redevelopment
editIn 2004, Barry Baldwin acquired the property for $1.2 million with plans to redevelop the site into "Urban Place", a mixed use complex of retail, restaurants, offices, apartments and a hotel.[7] The hotel opened in 2010.[8]
The hotel is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Cork Factory Hotel: History". Historic Hotels of America. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Lancaster Made Heart of World Cork Business". Lancaster News. March 25, 1929. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vast Future For Armstrong's In Cork". Lancaster News. March 25, 1929. p. 13.
- ^ a b "Sale of 6 Armstrong Plants Effective Tuesday". Lancaster New Era. March 29, 1969. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Armstrong History". Sunday News (Lancaster). March 10, 1996. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Urban' appeal: Owner has lofty ideas for former Kerr Glass site". Intelligencer Journal. March 23, 2006. pp. A1, A8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Kerr complex plan moves forward". Intelligencer Journal. August 5, 2004. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- "A diamond in the rough". Lancaster News Era. March 30, 2006. pp. B1, B4 – via Newspapers.com. - ^ "Cork Factory Hotel opens". Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era. March 27, 2010. p. C8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cork Factory Hotel". Historic Hotels of America. Retrieved May 6, 2020.