The Lofts at Stehli Silk Mill

Originally built in 1897, the historic 11-acre Stehli Silk Mill complex comprises seven distinct buildings that were once home to 2,100 female textile workers and 1,000 silk looms at its peak, making it one of the largest silk mills in the United States when it opened in 1898. The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is recognized for its architectural and industrial significance to Lancaster County.

After four decades of abandonment, CAM Construction transformed this industrial landmark into 165 loft-style apartments, consisting primarily of one-bedroom units in addition to several two-bedroom units and studios. The interiors showcase a combination of meticulously restored original materials, including refinished wood flooring, alongside brush-blasted exposed brick walls and beams, complemented by all-new partitioning throughout. Complete electrical services and HVAC systems were implemented along with necessary low-voltage infrastructure. CAM adopted a minimalist design philosophy to allow the building’s authentic historic features to remain prominent, including the installation and replacement of over 1,400 custom-built, operable windows with varying frames and mutton patterns that were designed and executed according to National Park Service guidelines.

The project demanded innovative problem-solving and skilled craftsmanship to overcome numerous challenges. Several rooms required floors to be sanded up to six times to remove more than a century of accumulated oils and particulates before sealer could be evenly applied. Furthermore, each of the 400+ factory windows weighed approximately 500 pounds and required manual installation using boom lifts, with delicate precision needed to fit them into uniquely sized openings. CAM’s in-house carpentry team installed wood blocking and custom-cut window trim/casing around each of the prefabricated window units, in accordance with historic standards.

Additionally, many heavy-timber beams exhibited significant rot within their top layer from decades of water exposure. The stabilization process involved surgically removing deteriorated sections and splicing in salvaged timber pieces repurposed from other areas of the site. Another challenge presented itself in 2023, when the Canada wildfires presented supply chain issues, as lumber and other materials could not be safely transported to the United States through the record-breaking fires that devastated Canada. The potential 5-month delay to the project schedule resulting from the fires was avoided by repurposing materials from Mill 3 to Mill 1, allowing for construction to progress in Mill 1 without any significant impact to the project delivery timeline.

This historic adaptive reuse project exemplifies how thoughtful preservation can honor industrial heritage while creating vibrant residential communities that serve contemporary needs, successfully bridging Lancaster’s rich manufacturing past with its future.