Coca-Cola plant renovations to improve curb appeal

Crews are working on updating the interior and exterior of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on York Street in the hopes of making it more attractive to interested parties, according to the facility's listing agent.

Dean Newman, the Meybohm Commercial Properties real estate agent handling the listing, said cleanup work is ongoing on the 2.6-acre site to improve the curb appeal, and renovations are continuing inside to upgrade the existing office and warehouse space to appeal to those looking into leasing or buying the old plant.

"We have had some interest for about two years," Newman said. "Most folks who looked at it expressed an interest in upgrades so that's why it's happening."

The large building, which has been vacant for about two years now, was sold to a private investor in 2007 who is footing the bill for the work.

Crews are renovating the office and warehouse space to include the bathrooms, updating the plumbing and electrical systems and installing new energy-efficient windows.

Estimates are that the plant was built in the mid-1940s.

"It is a great building and really a big part of Aiken's history," Newman said. "We're also doing our part to get the north side of Aiken headed in the right direction."

According to Meybohm's listing, there is about 2,850 square feet of finished office space downstairs with almost 4,000 square feet of shop/maintenance area and four loading docks. There is a detached warehouse consisting of more than 8,000 square feet.

The property is completely fenced.

"It is available for lease or sale as office and warehouse space," Newman said. "And we have looked into the possibility of making it a multi-tenant building."

It is believed the last time any bottling took place in the plant was in 1985 and, until about 2007, the building still served as a Coca-Cola distribution warehouse. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated used to send their product from the bottling facilities there so drivers could pick up the goods for distribution to retailers.

Newman said the current asking price is $850,000 or a rental price of $5,500 per month.