Overview

The Greenwich Mills Complex includes two buildings comprising over 100,000 square feet that are intact examples of early twentieth-century industrial design with their characteristics. The complex has a rich history of industrial activity. Many well-known companies were located here that employed many residents of central RI, most notably Textron and the Boston Wire Stitcher Company, later known as Stanley Bostitch.

The Greenwich Mills has been part of the East Greenwich‘s Hill and Harbor district since the late 1800s. Built at the height of the region’s industrial might, the complex was originally erected to support the textile production and distribution that was home to Rhode Island. As the decades passed, the mill experienced various changes of use, becoming a machine fitting fabrication center and later becoming the hub of the Textron Companies; the mill mirrors the type of heavy timber and masonry construction that was the staple of industrial buildings at the turn of the 19th century and is so widely sought after today. It is rich with architectural details that are not common in present-day construction.

In 2004, the complex was purchased by P&A Realty and Gem Investments. At the time, it was still in use as a manufacturing center. Recognizing that the area had changed from a manufacturing center to a quaint bedroom community, the new owners decided to convert the mill to a high-end commercial center, which they believed was a more appropriate use of the property and would fit in better with the present-day surrounding community. The complex was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 2005, and renovations were commenced.