A prominent former factory building in Seneca Falls has been selected for a regional preservation initiative aimed at spurring redevelopment.
The Landmark Society of Western New York announced that 314 Fall Street, the former Seneca Falls Machine Company plant, has been named to its 2026 “Five to Revive” list.
The annual program highlights five historic properties across the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley that are considered strong candidates for rehabilitation and reinvestment. Organizers say the goal is to draw attention to significant but underused buildings and connect property owners with developers, investors, and funding opportunities to return them to productive use.
According to the Landmark Society, the Fall Street property has been on the committee’s radar for several years. The current owner has already completed early stabilization work and is using portions of the building, with long-term plans for a larger rehabilitation effort.
Completed in 1916, the factory stands at the western gateway to the village and once served as a major local employer. At its peak, the plant employed about 200 workers producing machinery for the early automobile industry. During World War II, the facility shifted to manufacturing artillery shells for the Allied war effort.
After decades of industrial decline, the complex sat vacant for years, and parts of the structure were condemned in 2017. A new owner purchased the property in 2020 and began critical repairs. In 2023, the site was deemed eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, making it eligible for potential historic tax credits.
With more than 100,000 square feet of largely intact industrial space, preservation officials say the building represents a major redevelopment opportunity that could help reshape the corridor and create a strong first impression for residents and visitors entering Seneca Falls.
