12 Crane: Our Vision
The Cannery building on Crane Street has stood for over a century, nestled on a quiet bend of the Quinebaug River. Originally constructed as a cold storage facility in the era before home freezers, the building has served a multitude of functions throughout its existence. The Cannery’s newest incarnation is the brainchild of local developers Gabriel McCarthy and Roderick Murphy who purchased the property and began major renovations to its existing structure in 2004. The two envisioned a future in which this overlooked part of town could become a new hub for commerce, art and culture and breathe new life into the once bustling Flat Iron District of Southbridge.
Beginning with a fresh coat of silver paint, the transformation from industrial warehouse to entertainment complex was undertaken utilizing the collective talents of a multitude of skilled workers and tradesmen. The artists of Sevengaits along with Hilary Smith, a Fine Arts student from Bennington College, were commissioned to design and apply the décor featured throughout the Cannery complex. Murals, paintings, glass sculptures and other adornments add style and grace to 12 Crane’s interiors and create an atmosphere of discovery at every turn.
In September of 2007, The Dark Horse Tavern opened, a friendly and charmingly appointed Irish pub downstairs with dining and private functions upstairs. Upstairs, the Dark Horse features the spectacular River Run, inspired by the writings of James Joyce, which provides breathtaking overlooks of the river and surrounding woods, while downstairs the Dark Horse features an outdoor patio which puts patrons even closer to the natural beauty of the area. Honest Town Brewery brews fine British-style ales right on the premises. Law offices and a direct mailing firm round out the existing businesses currently housed at 12 Crane with more on the way. Imagine pulsing beats beckoning all to experience live music, theatre and more at The Cannery, an entertainment venue designed using the latest in cutting edge multimedia technologies. Spaces for shops are also included in the final plans, including a cigar store and men’s gift shop, a gelato stand, and more to ensure each visit to 12 Crane will offer an ever-changing collection of treasures one might only expect to find in a large metropolitan center.
Incorporating green, earth-friendly technologies throughout the complex was another important element in the creation of 12 Crane. With the proposed bicycle path which runs along the river behind the building, 12 Crane will become a place of interest and easily accessible waypoint on this scenic and winding trail. “Silent Spring,” a sculpture of elegantly entwined cranes by sculptor/artist John Ferrara, welcomes visitors to the property’s threshold and ample off street parking area.
12 Crane commemorates the past, while celebrating a new vision of what the future can bring: a coming together of art, commerce, nature and first-rate entertainment, bringing neighbors and friends together to experience the finer things in life all under one roof in Southbridge, Massachusetts.
Read more about 12 Crane on our Press Page.
