The Kelly Factory

What if Jackson's vacant big-box stores became catalysts for entrepreneurship and neighborhood revitalization? This week, The Kelly Factory reimagines a vacant 15,000 square foot former apparel store as an enclosed community marketplace anchored by a co-op grocery, where local vendors, artisans, food entrepreneurs, and farmers operate under one roof. The co-op brings fresh food and supports local growers while surrounding stalls offer handmade goods, prepared foods, clothing, and specialty products.

Makeover Monday is a series by The Kelly Factory that spotlights vacant and underused properties across Jackson, reimagining them as active, renovated spaces. These concepts are not real projects, but if you would like to bring one to life, we can prepare a full speculative real estate development proposal with construction costs, revenue potential, and other key metrics that demonstrate true development merit. Contact us to learn more.

The Kelly Factory provided architectural design services for the residential conversion of a former motel into Admiral Apartments, a mixed-use development located at the edge of downtown offering short- and long-term housing, an on-site fitness center, a swimming pool, and commercial lease spaces.

The Kelly Factory provided architectural design services for the adaptive reuse of a vacant car audio retail and installation center into a bingo entertainment facility, incorporating a concessions area and branded merchandise component. We also prepared site plan review documentation and secured approval for the building's new occupancy classification on behalf of the owner.

This formerly vacant 2,800-square-foot commercial storefront on Farish Street is restored to its original purpose, featuring three tenant suites, each with a private restroom, and rear parking. The Kelly Factory provided architectural design services and secured approval from the Jackson Historic Preservation Commission due to the property's historic designation.

Hey everyone, it has been a while, but we have been busy! Check out one of our recent projects, turning a long-vacant space into the new home of Taste of the Caribbean. From renovation drawings to navigating site plan review with the City of Jackson, we did it all. Keep supporting Taste of the Caribbean for authentic Jamaican cuisine, and let us know what you think about their new spot.

"Parity Homes is revitalizing abandoned blocks with a model designed to build Black community wealth and address historic harms – before it's too late."

In West Baltimore, Fighting Displacement Before Gentrification Takes a Hold Parity Homes is revitalizing abandoned blocks with a model designed to build Black community wealth and address historic harms – before it's too late.

With so many vacant churches, the possibilities for reuse are endless. This 4,500-square-foot church on Bailey Avenue is less than two miles from downtown Jackson and is zoned C-2 Limited Commercial. Potential adaptive reuse options include a community center, arts and cultural space, boutique event venue, coworking hub, flea market-style venue, fitness studio, or artist live/work lofts.

is a series The Kelly Factory created to spotlight vacant, underused properties and reimagine them as renovated, active spaces.