The Lang Tannery

Historical Industrial Brownfield Development Brick Repair & Restoration

industrial

Property: 

Industrial Brownfield Development

Date: 

09/24/2014

Type: 

Industrial

Location: 

Kitchener

During the First World War, Lang Tanning produced huge amounts of saddle material, and in the Second World War it supplied sole leather and leather linings for aircraft gasoline tanks.  The company purchased cattle hides from local packing plants as well as from South America and New Zealand. Hemlock bark from northern Ontario was used for tanning the leather, and Reinhold Lang also bought hardwood from the US, South America, India and Africa for this purpose.

The factory closed and lay idle for decades, until the space evolved into a brownfield redevelopment.  Mora Masonry was chosen to lead in the restoration, sandblasting and repair of the brick and stonework within this historic building and regional landmark.

Outside the tannery, 1948
Outside the tannery, 1948