THE FACILITY

LOCATED at 201 sW ADAMS in PEORIA’S INNOVATION DISTRICT, Distillery Labs WILL FEATURE 40,000 square feet of spACE DEDICATED TO CREATING A vibrant and inclusive catalyst for growth IN the Greater Peoria Region.

The Process:

In partnership with Gensler Chicago and Farnsworth Group, the Distillery Labs team held a series of socially distanced community workshops in August & September of 2020. The goal of these sessions was to create a community-focused facility that will expand opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, innovators, creators, and residents from across the entire Greater Peoria region.

Slated to open in late 2021, Distillery Labs will be a welcoming environment teeming with activity. It will be a place where people are not afraid to create the future and it will provide a network that removes barriers and encourages connections.

WORKSHOP OUTCOMES:

Culture + Community // Distillery Labs will be a welcoming environment teeming with activity. It will be a place where people are not afraid to create the future and it will provide a network that removes barriers and encourage connections. ‘Making should happen everywhere’ was a common theme through the group breakaways- this suggests fabrication and creation being embedded throughout the building, not isolated to one area or space type. Additionally, every group had a robust conversation around the value of food, cooking, and hospitality - at its core ‘food brings people together’

Talent + Inclusion // From forum to practice, Distillery Labs enables a pipeline of learning and experience helping people from all trades / disciplines / backgrounds to achieve their vision. Access to equipment and programming that can help the entire community explore entrepreneurship and learn new skills is key to that success. Another key point that arose was that the space should feel warm welcoming to the diverse demographic of Peoria, ultimately a space that breathes inclusion.

Markets + Innovation // Distillery Labs must simultaneously support core industries (agriculture, smart mobility, and healthcare) but also enable grassroots industries to emerge. With the many educational institutions in the area, a distinct and seamless tie to programs that enable students to explore and develop skills that will re-invigorate the economic pipeline. Access to Distillery Labs should accommodate users of all types - from early morning meetings to late-night tinkers.

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