The Suraci brothers, immigrants from Italy in 1901, established a cigar manufacturing company in New York City in 1912. Following the 1929 stock market crash, they moved the business to Scranton, PA, forming the Parodi Cigar Company. After a fire in 1944, the company relocated within Scranton, eventually evolving into the Avanti Cigar Company. In 2013, Avanti moved to a larger, modern factory, leaving the former cigar factory vacant.
A local developer envisioned revitalizing the 47,000-square-foot factory into loft apartments. The three-story structure, featuring brick walls, wood and steel frame construction, and a wood and steel roof truss. Having been unused for some time and exposed to the elements, the building required restoration. While creating modern living spaces, the developer preserved the original façade with the Parodi Cigar Factory name and logo, paying homage to its history.
GPI played a vital role by providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and structural engineering design services for the project. The three-story complex now houses 41 one- and two-bedroom apartments in downtown Scranton. The design work included new HVAC systems, an elevator system, electrical distribution, and systems, as well as site and building accent lighting. GPI also contributed to structural design aspects like loft framing, headers, and the main lobby entrance framing, along with new site retaining walls.
Project Highlights
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Owner/ClientBDA Architects, LLC (JBAS Realty)
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LocationScranton, PA
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Size47,000 sqft
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ServicesElectrical Engineering
Fire Protection Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Structural Engineering
