The Factory’s new owner: ‘There’s so much we can do’
Tom Gaffney. Photo: The Anderson Group.
In 2008, investor Tom Gaffney bought the 600 block of St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue for $2.3 million. “Nobody went to the 600 block, ever,” he recalled. “It was all abandoned. Every store was empty. You can imagine what kind of shape it was in.”
His business advisors said he should tear it all down and put up some of those ever-so-profitable downtown condominiums. “I said no way; it’s got character. It makes St. Pete what it is. And I’m going to keep it that way.”
On Gaffney’s watch, the 600 block became the center of St. Pete’s artistic community. Artists including Chad Mize, the Vitale Brothers and Derek Donnelly had studio and gallery space there inside the funky old buildings, at Gaffney-instigated lower rates.
The 600 block saga played a major role in Gaffney’s decision to purchase The Factory St. Pete, a 6.5 acre spread of former industrial buildings in the Warehouse Arts District.
“I saw the same thing with The Factory,” he explained. “It’s got a good location, it’s right on the Pinellas Trail. There’s so much we can do in taking advantage of the trail and bringing people in. It has a nice vibe with artists.”
Kara Behar, Jordan Behar and Liz Dimmitt co-founded The Factory in 2020. Despite four years in the art business, The Factory – the former home to a window-film manufacturing company – had yet to become the center of anything.
The Behars sold their interest to Dimmitt in January. This month, she sold it to Gaffney and his team of investors. Dimmitt’s walk-through art experience Fairgrounds St. Pete will remain an anchor tenant.
“It’s there; you can see it,” Gaffney said. “It’s just going to take some money and time, and I’m prepared to put both to work.”
RELATED READING: Sold! The Factory St. Pete changes hands
He wants to add a restaurant, along with myriad aesthetic improvements. “I think we can really take what Liz and Kara started and take it someplace, with some more capital … we’re certainly going to upgrade it, with a lot of murals on the buildings, and lighting, and a better sound system outside. We’re going to open up the Trail with probably a hundred bike racks.”
He looks at The Factory property as a “three-part piece of land: The art and a restaurant, and some activity outside of the restaurant that brings people there. Because we need more people there.
“Then there’s a third part, that I haven’t really developed, which is all that vacant land. What do we do with that, to make it really neat and cool?”
Gaffney is aware that the buzz around St. Pete’s art community is that the buildings will be razed and redeveloped. Not remotely true, he states emphatically.
The industrial greenspace – not the Factory interior – will likely be developed for pickleball courts.
“It’s no secret pickleball is going to be coming,” Gaffney said. “I think everyone in the city knows that pickleball is a possibility, and I would expect it to come. There’s no certainty.
“I look at it as, the pickleball and the restaurant can add to the arts. Because artists need people to come. They need people to walk through and look at what they’re doing. I sort of envision people walk into the galleries, go to the restaurant, go to Fairgrounds … we’re going to make it really attractive to go to the art side. I see these as complimentary. People want to walk and have an experience.”
He reiterates: Pickleball is not going to displace the art and artists. “That is not the case,” he said.
“We need to make The Factory more economically viable for artists. That’s the problem – artists can’t survive if they don’t have people coming by to look at what they’re doing.
“So our job is to get people to The Factory.”
That’s where the restaurant, bigger and better trail access (and, perhaps, the pickleball courts) will contribute. “I think it’ll be more successful for the tenants if we can get people to come to it in higher numbers. And we’re going to make that happen.”
Carson K
June 6, 2024at10:35 am
Keep the warehouse district for music and arts!
The electronic music scene and community bring a thriving business for this property
Carter
June 6, 2024at9:37 am
So disappointing that this new owner is refusing to continue to work with event promoters who have longstanding relationships with The Factory and have brought so much business! He claims that these changes will not harm the artists, but is ending use of the space for live music and EDM events. The Factory has become THE destination in St Pete for these events and has brought thousands through the door to see the work of the artists. I urge him to reconsider.
Daniel Zumbro
June 6, 2024at6:54 am
Tom Gaffney, if you truly wish to continue to draw many people to The Factory, please continue to allow EDM events to go on at The Factory. One of Us Events draws 2,000 plus people at each of their events. People from all over the state come to these events. Yes, they are that popular. With the EDM scene on the rise in the Greater Tampa Bay area, The Factory has always been the venue of choice for the larger events. Tom, for a few hours, people have a place to go to leave their troubles and worries at home and go to a place where they can hear great music, make new friends and thoroughly enjoy themselves. To discontinue from allowing these events would be detrimental blow, not only to the thousands of fans, but to the City’s economy as well. I own a music group called Our House, and whenever an event of this magnitude takes place, I receive dozens of messages a day, asking for recommendations on airbnb’s, restaurants, etc. Please Tom, please allow the continuation of the EDM events to continue. We need The Factory. Thank you for your time.
Scott Simmons
June 4, 2024at10:24 pm
Another great article Bill. Thank you for helping me keep in touch with my hometown from Mexico. Pickle ball is big with the ex-pats in San Miguel de Allende (often voted the best city or best small city in the world.) Cathy and I are part of the international movement of Ping Pong for Parkinson’s. It follows Rock Steady, the boxing program for Parkinson’s patients.
Brian Hartz
June 4, 2024at8:28 am
How about some padel courts instead of pickleball? It’s a similar sport but much quieter. Padel will be the next big thing in racquet sports. It’s already popular in Miami and other major U.S. cities. St. Pete could lead the way in bringing padel to the Tampa Bay region.
Kris
June 3, 2024at8:10 pm
Thank god no more condos – I happened upon the Warehouse District about a year ago and what a cool spot. I agree with everyone else, wrong space for pickleball. Artists are less likely to get out and play it. Mini golf is a great idea and for sure you can do some cool things from an artist perspective. As well FOOD is a for sure – may take a while to get it to stick but such an opportunity. St Pete is such a bike able area – have it become a destination especially for those with bikes as it would be a great stop from the trail.. Either way – it’s not condos!!
S. Rose Smith-Hayes
June 3, 2024at7:28 pm
Yes to Miniature Golf and No to Pickle Ball. Thank you for Not building any condos. You have some good ideas, keep the outdoors activities coming please.
scott petrucci
June 3, 2024at5:38 pm
I’m a native born at St. A in ’57. I applaud this type of approach to our city. We have plenty of condos! Too many! Pickle ball is very creative as well as the bike racks and food. Love it all.
Beau Lucas
June 3, 2024at5:33 pm
Yes let’s attract people there, but let’s choose the RIGHT people. This pickleball idea is ludicrous, noisy, and personally,the wrong crowd
John
June 3, 2024at3:37 pm
Please keep the electronic music concerts and shows that bring so many people to the Factory.
Remove the fence and invite the Pinellas Trail onto the property.
Activating that whole property will be a challenge, but glad the developers are keeping the culture instead of the condos.
Danny E White
June 3, 2024at3:34 pm
This sounds like a great opportunity to take lessons and ideas from the highly successful https://thewynwoodwalls.com/ Wynwood Walls project in Miami. I am not sure that pickleball courts are a real draw since several St. Pete parks have them and they are reportedly under utilized. Further, what ever happened to St. Pete Athletic https://www.stpeteathletic.com/, a pickleball/multi-sports/social club project first introduced in February 2023 and planned for the Burlington and Dr. MLK Jr St N? Attainable spaces for artists to create and sell definitely requires consistent and heavy foot traffic. That land seems prime for a live/work/play kind of makeover!
Michele Ann Kosmitis
June 3, 2024at9:38 am
Thank you for not building more condos!
Daniel Zumbro
June 2, 2024at3:20 pm
The last EDM event put on by One of Us Productions, brought 2,000 people. People from all over who share the same passion of Electronic Dance Music.
For a few hours, people can leave their troubles, their worries, their financial burdens at home. Where strangers on the dance floor are newfound friends.
Where people can dance and express freely who they are without anyone casting judgment.
The EDM scene has gotten so huge in the Greater Tampa Bay area, that we have radio stations as far away as LA, Mix93fm, talking about our scene.
To lose The Factory as a venue to hold future events, would be a detrimental blow, not only to a part of our culture, but would be a black eye to the City of St Petersburg.
I pray the new owner sees this message.
Velva Lee Heraty
June 2, 2024at8:53 am
Miniature Golf doesn’t require any equipment and can be played by anyone. It would look very cool with an art theme too. A smarter move for that location. My ten cents.