FEATURE | New event facility showcases Biddeford’s transformation

The ‘Foundry On The Levee’ today offers more than 20,000 square-feet of luxury event accommodations where a shuttered machine shop once employed more than 100 people

If you had any lingering doubts about Biddeford’s ongoing transformation from gritty, former mill town to upscale destination for newer residents with deeper pockets – last week’s “editorial debut” of the Foundry on the Levee was a stunning reminder that the city has undergone a dramatic change over the last two decades.

THE FOUNDRY ON THE LEVEE now offers 20,000 square feet of luxury event space in downtown Biddeford | Seaver photo . . .

The 20,000-square-foot former manufacturing facility is nestled along the banks of the Saco River and adjacent to a row of upscale town homes and condominiums that are being snatched up by seasonal residents.

The Foundry on the Levee is being marketed as southern Maine’s premiere event and catering venue.

Where once there were lines of noisy drill presses, lathes and threading machines, there are now tables draped with fine linens, crystal glassware and an elegant wine bar with a small jazz band adding a distinctive flair of ambience.

The Foundry on the Levee represents the final phase of a four-phase project that runs along the newly named “Upper Falls” roadway, which stretches from Elm Street to the Saco River.

The project – including the upscale housing units that are selling in the high six figure range – was built and is managed by Reveler Development, a Portland-based real estate, investment and construction firm.

Reveler Development describes the new event space as “a natural light-exposed brick and beam structure that is perfect for weddings, galas, corporate events and creative gatherings.”

The new upscale venue is just one of many developments that has been built in close proximity to the former MERC regional trash incinerator, which was closed in 2012, a signature achievement by former mayor Alan Casavant.

NINE-YEAR-OLD Grace Coolidge of New Glocester got to try out her new cocktail dress and heels at last week’s grand opening of the Foundry on the Levee | Seaver photo . . .

Since MERC’s closure, Biddeford’s once depressed and decaying downtown has been revitalized with boutique shops, upscale eateries and a luxury hotel with a roof-top swimming pool.

Although MERC’s 244-foot concrete ventilation stack remains as a reminder of the troubled facility, the surrounding area is now facing rapid commercial and residential development that was previously unimaginable 20 years ago.

New housing and commercial developments are popping up on all sides of the property that was once used to handle municipal garbage from 23 surrounding communities.

The stench of burning trash has now been replaced with valet parking options and nouveaux cuisine.

Fausto Pifferrer, a well-known catering expert in southern Maine is the managing partner of the new facility, which can easily accommodate up to 700 guests, not including a riverfront patio seating area that can seat 200 people.

Only weeks after opening, Pifferrer says the Foundry on the Levee has already been booked for senior proms by Thornton Academy; and Massabesic and Sanford High Schools.

The University of New England is planning to host its fall student dinner at the new facility, which has already been booked for two corporate events.

The renovated building — tucked far away from view of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic — was formerly the home of Precision Screw Machine, a locally owned machine shop known for producing ball valves and other machine products for the manufacturing, aerospace and defense industries.

Joe and Andrea Moreshead of Saco operated the machine shop for more than 40 years, beginning in the late 1970s.

Joe Moreshead said the company could not keep pace with foreign competitors that offered similar products with deeply discounted labor costs. The company was closed and the facility was sold nearly four years ago.

Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail attended last week’s grand opening and said she was “blown away” by the facility’s size and distinctive ambience.

“This is the kind of event space that the cities of Biddeford and Saco have long needed,” MacPhail said. “It’s truly amazing to watch this transformation.”

VIDEO | A Stunning Transformation

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FEATURE | New event facility showcases Biddeford’s transformation

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