The H.A. Moyer Factory Complex, located on Syracuse’s south side, is a rare surviving example of New York’s industrial evolution from the horse-drawn carriage era to the early automobile age. Founded in the late 19th century by Hamilton A. Moyer, the factory produced high-end carriages and, by 1908, motorcars for an emerging American market. The site’s structures—built between 1881 and 1951—capture a range of construction types, from heavy timber framing to reinforced concrete. Though Moyer’s automobile venture was short-lived, the complex continued to serve as a hub for light manufacturing through the mid-20th century. Over time, the buildings were abandoned and left to the elements—so deteriorated, in fact, that water poured through the ceilings like a waterfall.

Today, the site is reborn as Moyer Lofts, a mixed-use development that retains the soul of the original complex while providing modern housing and commercial space. Known throughout Syracuse and New York State as “the building with the house on top,” this visually iconic structure underwent a complete transformation.

kta Preservation Specialists, in partnership with Carmina Wood Design, prepared the National Register nomination and Historic Tax Credit documentation that were vital to securing funding for the project.

Award-winning in its execution, this adaptive reuse effort not only salvaged a distressed historic resource but also brought new life to a neglected part of the city—proving that with vision and care, even the most deteriorated places can be reimagined for the future.