Historic Osage Mill Redevelopment Project
Founding Textile Mill in Heart of Community Transforming to Mixed-Use Development
Once established as the center of Bessemer City’s textile economy, Osage Mill located in the heart of downtown, is now getting the opportunity once again to breathe life back into the community.
This mixed-use, multi-purpose rehab project will include more than 139 one, two, and three-bedroom loft-style apartment units as well as 30,000 square feet of retail/commercial/ community space creating jobs and revenue growth, in the heart of downtown Bessemer City. One of the city’s first textile mills, the 250,000 square foot mill dates back to the late 1800s and was built by the city’s founder, John A. Smith. Osage Mill serves as an iconic landmark in the heart of the community that embeds the social and cultural fabric of Bessemer City together.
The redevelopment of this massive structure ensures a successful opportunity for additional investment projects. The $40,000,000+ investment will revive a historic landmark that helped to define Bessemer City and shape the community’s culture.
At full occupancy, the project will bring more than 400 new residents to Bessemer City (approximately a 7% increase in City population). The mill will drive new foot traffic, while also providing needed retail/commercial space, and making neighboring properties more attractive for investment.
The Historic Osage Mill Redevelopment Project will take place concurrently with other projects, all centered on fostering renewed economic growth for the City. Bessemer City continues to invest in public infrastructure improvements to accommodate future growth in downtown and the community abroad.
Osage Mill’s redevelopment adds an exciting element to Bessemer City. The project will redefine Bessemer City’s future, by creating opportunities for local small businesses to grow and thrive, while creating a unique living experience for tenants. Residents will be able to walk to local amenities, services, retail shops and restaurants. Millennials, baby boomers, seniors, and others, will enjoy the benefits of the project.
“Bessemer City is on the move toward success. We invite all to come experience the City with a Heart and the city with ample opportunity for growth and development in the Charlotte Metro Region,” said Mayor Becky S. Smith. “We look forward to seeing additional investment projects and business growth.”
WinnDevelopment to Acquire Historic Mill in Bessemer City, NC, for Planned Mixed-Use, Workforce Housing Development
BESSEMER CITY, NC (Oct. 26, 2021) – WinnDevelopment, one of the nation’s leading developers of historic mills for residential living, is moving to acquire the Osage Mill in downtown Bessemer City as the first step toward transforming the 250,000-square-foot structure into workforce housing apartments and commercial space.
Working with city and state officials, the company plans to restore the 125-year-old brick mill and five-acre development site into 139 one-, two and three-bedroom apartments, 30,000 square feet for ground floor commercial uses, multiple outdoor gathering spaces and play areas for residents and children, and 244 parking spaces.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to bring our expertise to this community with a strong demand for housing that’s affordable for the working people who fuel the region’s economy,” said WinnDevelopment Vice President Aimee McHale. “We look forward to moving forward with a development process that will lead to the start of construction in the spring of 2022.”
Osage Mill is located in a mixed-use neighborhood adjacent to the city’s downtown commercial area offering easy access to Interstate 85 for commuting 29 miles to Charlotte, NC, or 47 miles to Spartanburg, SC, both strong employment centers for the area.
“Bessemer City is extremely excited about the transformation that will be taking place at Osage Mill in 2022,” said Bessemer Mayor Becky S. Smith. “The Osage Mill Redevelopment is a catalyst project that will, and already has, enticed additional investment and business development in our downtown.”
Osage Mill was one of Bessemer City’s largest textile mills. Its oldest portions date back to 1896, with other elements built in the early 1900s through 1950s. The Mill was in use until the 1990s but has lain vacant and dormant for more than 20 years.
WinnDevelopment is the nation’s leading developer of historic and iconic buildings for use as multifamily housing – preserving, restoring and transforming more than 40 abandoned textile mills, schools and other landmark structures into affordable and mixed-income apartment communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington, DC. No other developer has won more awards for residential adaptive reuse projects.
The adaptive reuse of the Osage Mill will be performed to Secretary of the Interior Standards and eligible for Federal Historic Tax Credits and North Carolina State Mill Credits. In addition, WinnDevelopment will work closely with Duke Energy to maximize energy efficiency of the building’s mechanical equipment, appliances, lighting and building envelope so that the final development conforms to Energy Star guidelines.
Recognizing Bessemer City’s need for workforce housing, apartments at the restored property will be available to individuals and families earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income.
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WinnDevelopment is the development arm of WinnCompanies, an award-winning owner, developer and manager of apartments communities nationwide. Once completed, the Osage Mill development will be managed by WinnResidential, one of the largest multifamily operators in the United States.
About WinnCompanies
WinnCompanies is an award-winning, national owner, developer and manager of high-impact affordable, middle income, mixed-income, market rate and military housing communities. Founded in Boston in 1971 and supported by 3,600 team members in 23 states and the District of Columbia, WinnCompanies is one of the nation’s leading multi-family housing managers with 101,000 residential and military apartment homes under management. It is the largest manager of affordable housing in the United States and a leading manager of privatized U.S. military housing. The company owns 100 apartment communities in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
Media Contact for the City of Bessemer City
Joshua M. Ross, Director of Administration
Office: 704-729-6505
Media Contact for WinnDevelopment
Ed Cafasso
Phone or Text: 617-455-9651
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