74 Mill Street Orono, ME
From a church to a manufacturing shop and many things in between, this 30,000 sq ft building will soon be riverfront living.
- Year Built: 1900
- Year Restored: In Progress
- Square Footage: 30,000 sq ft
- Property Type: Residential
Adding Modern Housing
to the orono Community
Mill Street was originally constructed as a wooden church, but its purpose evolved over the years. From a temporary church to a masonry one, it eventually served as a movie theatre and even a fire station. By 1924, the building took on a new identity when the Bayer Manufacturing Company acquired it. They expanded its structure, adding front office spaces and a rear addition, where it became a hub for producing textile products, notably cots for the military.
By the early 2000s, as the Bayer Manufacturing Company shifted gears, Pike Developers saw an opportunity to add much-needed residential space to Orono. After collaborating with the town and securing the building’s historic status, the team is working to breathe new life into Mill Street. Currently, the interior is undergoing a transformation, with plans to offer between 24 to 30 residential units with river views.
A resident of Orono himself, this project is near and dear to Pike Developers founder, Zack Pike, who also appreciates the significance of this particular property. While many historical manufacturing sites in the state, like the original LL Bean manufacturing shop, have been lost to time, this 30,000-square-foot building still stands with a lot of opportunity to preserve its historic value and charm.
