The Lace Mill

Organization Name: RUPCO

Project Title: The Lace Mill

Project Location: Kingston, NY

Project Goals:
RUPCO’s repurposing of the United States Lace Curtain Mill (Lace Mill) was conceived as a multi-layered response to the collective needs of the mid-town Kingston community, an established and growing arts community and a specific response to save a unique and significant building from complete deterioration and further loss of urban fabric.

The program for Lace further evolved as an exercise in the marriage of, and the compromise between many competing and not necessarily sympathetic interests.
The project is at the same time all of the following:
• Community investment and a local economic driver
• A creative place making exercise
• Development of affordable housing
• A historical restoration of a 1903 mill structure
• Sustainable, green and energy efficient

“Prolonging the lives of buildings through reuse not only retains a sense of place and leverages historical assets, but also promotes energy conservation.”
DOE Better Buildings Summit, May 2015, Washington DC

Project Description:
Re-purposed into 55 units of affordable artist’s housing, the Lace Mill apartments provide the ability for a working artist to exercise an art form within the confines of each dwelling. Approximately 20,000sf was retained as common area, communal studio or public gallery space. The centerpiece of the first floor gallery is a coal fired boiler, circa 1903, which has been preserved as an early 20th century industrial artifact. Retaining much of the industrial flavor of the original construction, architectural detailing included polished concrete flooring, exposed structural elements, repurposed window sashes and exposed mechanical elements. Sustainability measures included a variety of insulation and mechanical responses to provide optimum compartmentalization, thermal and acoustic separation and indoor air quality. LED lighting fixtures were utilized throughout the project and approximately 16,000sf of roof area was utilized to support a 160Kw solar PV array.

Community Impact:
The Lace Mill constructed in 1903, served the Kingston community as an employer of at least three generations through the 1950’s. More recently and for three decades the 53,000sf building presented as a boarded up shell, offering no public interface or benefit.
A $19 mil. Investment into the mid-town section of Kingston, the project was financed with a combination of 4% LIHTC, State and Federal Historic TC’s, several secondary income sources and a substantial commitment by the sponsoring non-profit. Consistent with the city’s B.E.A.T. initiative (business, education, arts and technology) the project site is situate within an established arts district, complimenting several strong community partners rooted in the creative economy.
"Without a doubt, the restoration of the long vacant United States Lace Curtain Factory is one of the most significant and potentially impactful construction projects to be undertaken in the city of Kingston in decades."
Kingston Happenings, April 2

Organization Description:
Since 1981, RUPCO, a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency, has led the Hudson Valley in creating and maintaining quality, sustainable housing and rental opportunities. We inspire understanding of affordable housing initiatives; foster community development and revitalization; and provide opportunity to people to improve their living standards. RUPCO has established a successful track record as a leader in the creation and improvement of quality, sustainable housing, created strong partnerships locally and nationally, and has maintained a fiscally healthy balance sheet. Through five business lines and related services, RUPCO impacts the lives of over 8,000 people each year. RUPCO understands the value buildings have in their community – as the foundation of success for economic development and as more than just a roof overhead. We work tirelessly toward the transformation of communities and the betterment of people through quality housing, sustainable development, and impactful programs.