Craftsman Ave. creative workshop signs 3,300 s/f lease at Industry City

Brooklyn, NY Industry City, the 35-acre, 6 million s/f mixed-use campus in Sunset Park, has signed Craftsman Ave., a Brooklyn-based creative workshop studio known for hands-on maker experiences in woodworking, metalwork, leathercraft, stained glass and more, a lease for a 3,300 s/f space on the campus as it relocates from its longtime Gowanus studio.

The move marks a significant milestone for Craftsman Ave. as it relocates from its original Gowanus studio to Industry City, building on nearly a decade of success since first opening in 2015. The new Industry City outpost will allow the studio to expand its community programming with a lineup of workshops that merge design, craft, and technology. Led by local makers, the studio’s classes offer participants the opportunity to create tangible works by hand, regardless of experience level.

“Craftsman Ave. is an exciting addition to Industry City’s roster of experiential retailers,” said Jim Somoza, managing director of Industry City. “They embody the creative spirit that distinguishes our campus, offering workshops that bring people together through craft and collaboration. Their programming is exactly the type of hands-on experience that resonates with the makers and designers who call Industry City home.”

The new studio will feature woodworking and metalworking zones, stained glass and leathercraft facilities, and a flexible event area for private group sessions, date-night experiences, and corporate team-building. Workshop attendees will be able to create handcrafted knives, stained glass window hangings, stained glass nightlights, longboards, refurbished Game Boys, whiskey barrels, side tables, copper lamps, and more. The space will also include retail displays showcasing handmade goods and artisan tools created by local makers.

“Since opening our first workshop in Gowanus back in 2015, we’ve been amazed by how many people want to roll up their sleeves and learn a new craft,” said Jeff Jeffries, Craftsman Ave. owner. “Industry City’s creative ecosystem is the perfect place to grow that community and inspire a new generation of makers.” 

Craftsman Ave.’s move to Industry City brings the studio closer to the creative and arts hub, further underscoring Industry City’s position as a cornerstone of the borough’s creative economy. More than 1.3 million s/f of the campus is currently leased by makers, designers, and artisans. The addition of Craftsman Ave. strengthens this growing ecosystem of over 270 creative businesses and 650 companies campus-wide.

The lease was negotiated by Industry City’s in-house leasing team member, Jim Somoza. At Industry City, leasing opportunities range from small offices for solo entrepreneurs and mid-sized businesses to large-scale industrial and production spaces, as well as customizable storefronts and turn-key retail locations.