Created By: The Emeryville Historical Society
Pennsylvania-born George Westinghouse was the inventor of an air brake system for locomotives which previously had to be stopped manually. He received a patent for the invention in 1869 at the age of 19 and founded the Westinghouse Air Brake Company shortly after. The company prospered and began its rapid expansion westward.
This brick warehouse was constructed by Westinghouse Pacific Coast Brake Co. in 1912. The factory manufactured air brakes for railroad trains, compressors, and pneumatic appliances.
The building has floor-to-ceiling double hung windows, a concrete cornice and klinkner brick. A second floor was later added to the western wing.
In the 1960s the building became a warehouse for Trader Vic’s household products and later leased to Editions Limited, a fine art print supplier.
In 2018, the building was acquired by Ellis Partners for $6.3 million and subsequently renovated.
As of 2022, it was occupied by Metagenomi, a life science company who develop therapeutics.
This point of interest is part of the tour: Emeryville Historical Society: Park Avenue District Walking Tour
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