From Rust to Renewal. From Blight to Blueprint.

At Foundry Realty, we turn forgotten industrial sites into thriving, mixed-use assets — built on community needs, environmental integrity, and public-private alignment.

Reclaiming industrial spaces.

●

Restoring community value.

●

Creating Lasting Partnerships.

●

Reclaiming industrial spaces. ● Restoring community value. ● Creating Lasting Partnerships. ●

About Foundry Realty

We Don’t Flip Buildings. We Forge Legacies.

Foundry Realty specializes in transforming industrial sites into mixed-use places that matter, places where people live, work, and build community. From environmental remediation to zoning strategy, we work at the intersection of vision, compliance, and community benefit.

Founded by Greg Kaknes, with 35+ years in operating urban industrial businesses, our team brings deep expertise in brownfield redevelopment, state and federal remediation, and public-private partnerships.

We're not just developers.

We're collaborators, helping cities unlock long-stalled properties and reimagine their post-industrial futures.

4

Major adaptive reuse projects underway

32+

Years transforming industrial land

100%

EPA-compliant remediation strategies

100k+

Square feet of urban land reactivated

The Challenge Urban Planners Know Too Well

Vacant warehouses. Contaminated lots. Miles of concrete and metal quietly decaying in the city’s shadow.

You see them every day — relics of industry that once powered communities, now stalling them. They’re eyesores, yes, but more than that: they’re lost opportunities for affordable housing, local business growth, and social vibrancy.

The problem isn’t a lack of potential. It’s finding the right partner to unlock it — responsibly, sustainably, and in line with your community’s vision.

72k+

abandoned industrial sites across the U.S.

5-10 years

to move a complex site from dormant to developed

How We Revive the Irreplaceable

  • Adaptive Reuse Strategy

    We reimagine outdated buildings and lots into vibrant, accessible spaces — without erasing their architectural history.

  • Environmental Remediation

    EPA-compliant cleanup, brownfield recovery, and land-use planning that clears the way for safe, sustainable growth.

  • Public-Private Partnerships

    We work hand-in-hand with municipalities, helping you unlock funding, navigate zoning, and align with comprehensive plans.

  • Mixed-Use Site Development

    From residential to retail to public gathering spaces — we help shape inclusive developments that anchor neighborhoods.

  • Finance & Planning Advisory

    We bring together public and private financing opportunities to position redevelopments for long-term success.

What We Do Differently

Foundry Realty is a catalyst for industrial revitalization.

We specialize in transforming underutilized industrial properties into accessible, vibrant, mixed-use developments, while honoring the architectural soul and historical weight of each site.

Environmental remediation

01

that meets state and federal standards

Public-private collaboration

02

that aligns with city goals

that respects local history and zoning

03

Adaptive reuse

Equitable design

that welcomes all residents and income levels

04

We don’t just build. We revive, with sustainability, social equity, and economic momentum in every square foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We focus on underutilized or vacant industrial properties, especially those requiring environmental remediation or zoning repositioning. From aging factories to abandoned rail yards — if it’s been overlooked, we’re likely interested.

  • Yes. We bring deep expertise in EPA-compliant remediation, including brownfield assessments, environmental risk mitigation, and coordination with local, state, and federal regulators.

  • Absolutely. Foundry Realty has extensive experience structuring PPPs that align with city goals, unlock grant funding, and ensure long-term public benefit. We collaborate closely with planning, development, and finance departments from day one.

  • The earlier, the better. We help evaluate site viability, navigate regulatory complexity, and propose realistic timelines and outcomes before you commit funding or enter negotiations.

  • Our current projects are Virginia-based, but we’re open to expanding throughout the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. If your site fits our mission, we’re ready to talk.

  • We’re not here to flip lots or chase fast profits. We’re here to transform legacy sites into lasting community assets — with sustainability, equity, and integrity at the core. Plus, we’ve walked in both boots: industrial operations and real estate development.

Let's Rebuild What Matters

Got a site that’s been sitting idle for too long?

We’re ready to walk it with you. Talk it through. Help you shape a plan that makes sense — for the land, for your community, and for the long game.