Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Gant c.1950-1979

Use (Historic)

n/a

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Original business unknown; Gant Shirt factory at some point. Assessor record gives 1948 as date of construction; building does not appear on 1951 Sanborn for New Haven. Purchase in 2024 by CitySeed to be built out as membership-based commercial kitchen and food business incubator. Google AI: Founding: Bernard Gantmacher established his shirt-making business in New Haven in the 1920s, at a time when the city was a significant textile hub. The GANT Brand: The Gant brand was launched in 1949 by Bernard's sons, Marty and Elliot, who grew up in the city and worked in the family shirt factory. Ivy League Association: The brand became synonymous with the Ivy League look, partly due to its proximity to the Yale campus and the company's marketing to the sophisticated, college-educated demographic. Iconic Features: GANT shirts featured signature details like the back-collar button, locker loop, and box pleat, which allowed for greater freedom of movement. The End of Manufacturing in New Haven Closure: The last GANT shirt factory in New Haven closed in 1979, marking the end of an era for the company in the city where it began. New Ownership: The company eventually sold its operations, with the brand later becoming a global company owned by a Swiss family enterprise. see also: https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2020/01/23/gant-and-the-fabric-of-new-haven/

Number of Existing Buildings

one

Dates of Construction

c.1950

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Loft

Architectural Description

Two story concrete block building with steel frame windows and flat roof. Entrance on James St; 16,283 sq ft.

Exterior Material(s)

• Concrete Block

Structural System(s)

• Structural Concrete
• Structural Steel or Iron

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Good

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

A 0.21 acre parcel on the entire north side of Exchange Street between James St to the East and Haven St to the west

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

n/a

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 9818 / Link →

Acreage

0.21

Use (Present)

• Commercial

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

n/a