Historic Akron Soap Company building converted into 53 new apartments

An 1893 soap factory that later made cereal and paint, and an attached 1919 warehouse, have been transformed into 53 apartments close to downtown Akron. The $14 million soap factory project represents the first time that Oriana House, a community corrections and behavioral health agency, has moved into market-rate housing. The decision to do so came after the group acquired the old factory at 243 Furnace St., about a half mile northeast of Luigi’s and less than a mile from downtown. “To me, it’s exciting,” said Bernie Rochford, the executive assistant for special projects for Oriana House. “We’re being able to contribute to [fixing] the shortage in housing.” The transformation comes after the soap factory, located in Akron s Cascade Valley neighborhood, was turned into offices in a $2.5 million renovation. Both conversions used historic tax credits to help pay for the rehabs. Now, Rochford said, the Furnace Street Flats are weeks away from having tenants move in. About a d