Kundtz, Theodor, Company Building
Also known as: White Sewing Machine Company Building; Cuy-2972-3
Why it's listed
Located at 2249 Elm Street in Cleveland's Flats, this brick industrial building is the last survivor of a large complex built by the Theodor Kundtz Company, which made woodwork, casework and especially sewing machine cabinets. The original six-story section dates to 1914, designed by White and Shupe Architects, and a four-story western addition followed in 1924 by architect Wallace A. Hatch and builder Reaugh Construction. Known as Plant #5, it has brick bearing walls in common bond, projecting pilasters, and a wood post-and-beam interior unusual for its era. Around it, the other Kundtz plants and many neighboring industrial buildings have been demolished. After a period as a paper warehouse, a mid-1990s certified rehabilitation converted it to a restaurant, offices and apartments while keeping its steel windows, brick walls and heavy timber structure. It was listed for its role in Cleveland's industrial history between 1914 and 1949.
Significance in brief: The building is the sole surviving structure of a major Kundtz industrial complex that once covered several blocks of the Flats. It is nominated for its association with Cleveland's industry, specifically woodworking and sewing machine cabinet manufacturing, from 1914 to 1949. It was rehabilitated in the mid-1990s with a certified historic rehabilitation.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000051, listed February 2, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2249 Elm St., Cleveland |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | February 2, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000051 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1949 |
| Architect / builder | 1914 part: White and Shupe Architects; 1924 part: Wallace A. Hatch, architect; Reaugh Construction, builder |
| Architectural style | Other/Vernacular Industrial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in the mid-1990s as a restaurant, offices and apartments; formerly used as a paper warehouse. The original brick walls, stairways and wood post-and-beam interior remain visible. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.49580, -81.70621 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000051.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137647050
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.