Abandoned Factories and Warehouses
Abandoned factories and warehouses can be hard to find especially if they are tucked away in the heart of an industrial site or the countryside, but they are extremely rewarding once found. The vast size of these derelict sites results in explorations that can last hours, provided you’re not faint-hearted.
They are also the type of site to be plastered in No Trespassing signs and hazard warning signs. Even though it’s in our nature as urbexers to ignore these signs, you shouldn’t. If there are signs for gas or chemicals, for example, that should be a real warning to be cautious about what site areas you choose to explore. Assuming you don’t have proper gear, such as a gas mask, I’d recommend heeding the signs as best as you can.
Additionally, abandoned factories and warehouses can be industrial in terms of their architecture and interior. The floors will often be in bad condition and exposed wires are strewn all over the ground and hanging over your head. If you’re not careful, you could either fall through the floor or walk straight into a dodgy power line.
The Abandoned FAAC Electronics Factory and Warehouse, Dublin, Ireland
The five-acre FAAC Electronics Factory and Warehouse site has been sitting derelict for 15 years and is a stark reminder of the Irish property crash that occurred in the 2000’s. In 2006, after FAAC shut down their Sandyford operations and moved to Citywest, the site was sold for €110 million to Lalco/Brackville Holdings (€20m per acre). This was one of the most expensive property deals ever made in the history of the Sandyford Industrial are, made possible after AIB and Ulster Bank “loaned” €25 million to Lalco. Lalco wanted to develop 800 apartments, a 190-bedroom hotel and 260,000 sq ft of commercial space on the site – a project estimated to have a gross development value of more than €500m. However, as with the other thousands of other massive property deals that the banks fraudulently “loaned” money to, Lalco’s fancy development plans were scrapped as soon as the property crash hit. Over the next 10 years, Lalco/Brackville Holdings tried to unburden themselves of the site but ran into obvious trouble considering no one could afford to buy land at such a ludicrous price during the crash. By 2017, the price for the site was sitting at a fraction of its
Abandoned Medina Animal Research Station, Perth, WA
The Medina Research Station was an Australian government initiative where both animals and vegetables were farmed and tested. Operations began in 1964 after which research was carried out on pigs, soil types, vegetables, insecticides and pesticides. The site is massive with over 20 abandoned buildings including animals pens, greenhouses, testing warehouses, storerooms and even residential houses. The site is currently unused other than the odd 4WD and motorcycle making use of the sandy trails that weave throughout the land. Enjoy the photography slideshow below and don’t forget to follow Abandoned World Photography for regular urbex updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Abandoned Australia
Abandoned Clackline Refractory, Perth, WA
The tiny, rural town of Clackline dates back to the late 1880s. Western Australia was expanding its railway network, and Clackline was smack bang in the centre of three of those lines. It was the perfect spot to set up an undisturbed industrial town in the middle of nowhere. By 1898, it was mostly railway workers residing in the town which by this stage consisted of a school, a Methodist Church, a hotel, and the WA Firebrick Company (a refractory and quarry). The WA Firebrick Company had been established by two men, John Ford and James Murray, who were searching for gold, but ended up discovering the fine quality clay that seemed suitable for fired bricks – a resource required to build the railways. By 1901, the clay and brick industry was so important to Western Australia, that the brick products from Clackline were used by multiple government departments, the Fremantle Gas Company, and many goldmines. Other users of the bricks included the Railway Department, the Perth Gas Company, the Fremantle smelter, and the Great Boulder Perseverance Company. After two years, the refractory changed hands and Bunnings took ownership. In 1903, “the Hunter family” owned it until the 1950s. In
Abandoned Asbestos Chemical Lab, Sydney, Australia
I came across these small labs walking down by Redfern train station. I had intended to get into a much bigger derelict building down the road from the station but there was a concert on right beside it so security was too high to pass. So, I went for a wander and instead found a few labs where asbestos used to be collected, tested and gotten rid of. The facilities were trashed with very little lab material left and I didn’t stay too long just in case there was still asbestos lying around (which there probably was). There was a fair bit of security around these portacabins and when I was the leaving I found that the gate I’d entered, now had a huge bloody chain around it. I panicked for a minute before walking the perimeter a bit and found a break in the wire fence where I could crawl through a bush and out onto the road – much to the confusion of some concert goers! Enjoy the photography slideshow below and don’t forget to follow Abandoned World Photography for regular urbex updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Abandoned 1916 Boland’s Flour Mill, Dublin (Ireland)
I spent months trying to find a way into this historical building that played such an important part in Irish history, specifically 1916. It is where Eamon De Valera and his men hid out when things were getting heated in Dublin during the war of independence. Another site I’ve explored that holds even more historical resemblance in Ireland, is the Phoenix Park Magazine Fort, which still stands derelict today. Bolands Mill is now being torn down to make way for Google offices. I believe the site should have been used for a new museum in Dublin similar to the style of Collins Barracks in Smithfield. It was so exciting to get into the Mill but the inside of the main towers was so dilapidated that it was impossible to go inside too far. I couldn’t get into the site unless it was pitch black because it’s on a busy road just outside of Dublin City Centre and entry meant climbing through a tiny window in the carpark of a dance studio that sat beside the site. Once inside, the darkness meant it was hard to see all of the massive holes in the floor and if I missed one I would’ve
Abandoned Ballyfermot Warehouse, Dublin, Ireland
I get a lot of email requests from photographers, film directors, location scouters and other urban explorers for the location details of certain places I have photographed. The most type of site people ask for details about, is a site with space to shoot photos, films etc. I have personally brought many of these people to the sites when possible, most of which are film directors. The Ballyfermot warehouse is a fantastic place to shoot film because it’s HUGE. There are plenty of big and small rooms, there are different types of lighting to play around with the and the site is stable (no wooden floors). Entry is extremely easy into this site and the way in is safe enough to bring camera equipment through. Enjoy the photography slideshow below and don’t forget to follow Abandoned World Photography for regular urbex updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Abandoned Poolbeg Pigeon House Power Station, Dublin (Ireland)
The Pigeon House, more formally known as the Poolbeg plant was built in the early 1900s. It’s situated by one of the most beautiful places to walk in Dublin – Sandymount Beach. Out of all of the buildings I have been to, the Pigeon House was by far the hardest to find and get in. It is tucked away in the heart of a huge active power plant site which is surrounded by acres of land and the beach itself. The hardest part was slipping past the ESB security guards unseen, and then walking along the edge of an outer fence and climbing onto the platform of the plant. It’s hard to explain, but it was really tricky and there was a few moments where I was very afraid I’d fall into the sea! Enjoy the photography slideshow below and don’t forget to follow Abandoned World Photography for regular urbex updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
