About The Factory on Willow
Providing a mixed-use, collaborative space for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs that fosters creativity, innovation, and success.
The Factory on Willow in Manchester, NH is a 90,000 square-foot, 4-story mill building & former shoe factory built in 1904.
Today, it is a mixed-use residential and commercial property with over 60 studio apartments , airbnb hotels, event space, food truck patio & distillery. The AiR at the Factory is also home to 6 artists year from all over the world.
History
The Factory on Willow has a rich history dating back to its origins as the W.H. McElwain Shoe Company, one of the largest shoe manufacturers of its time. Following the untimely passing of W.H. McElwain at the young age of 41, the company was absorbed by his brother J. Franklin McElwain's competing shoe factory. The factory has been home to several shoe manufacturers over the years, contributing to the "Shoe City" nickname of Manchester's past. In addition, from 1945 to 1947, the Manchester Community College (formerly known as State Trade School Manchester) was housed on the first two floors of the Cohas Factory. The Factory on Willow also served as the home of Electropac, a circuit board manufacturer, for over 30 years. Today, we honor this rich history and look forward to building on this legacy as a vibrant mixed-use property for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Meet The Founder
Meet Elizabeth Hitchcock, the founder of The Factory on Willow. Elizabeth is a technologist and arts & culture enthusiast, and a passionate supporter of New Hampshire's technology ecosystem. Her dedication and contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being recognized as one of the N.H. Union Leader's "40 Under Forty" in 2017, receiving an honorary doctorate from Rivier University for her role in advancing the economy in 2018, and being awarded the Outstanding Women's Leadership Award by the Daniel Webster Council BSA in 2021, as well as the Outstanding Women in Business Award from NH Business Review in February 2022. In 2019, she founded The Bookery Manchester, a hub for literary and cultural exchange, and in 2021, she transformed the deteriorating mill into The Factory, a live/work community for creators and innovators. Elizabeth currently resides in Manchester with her husband, Jeremy, and their three children. With the help of Eckman Construction and Market Square Architects, she turned her vision into a reality, creating a thriving mixed-use residential and commercial property.
