Inside the historic mill walls, a thriving ecosystem of businesses is reshaping what’s possible in downtown Biddeford. Fitness studios, creative workshops, professional firms, specialty retailers, nonprofits, tech innovators and artisans all contribute to the momentum building here. What surprises many first-time visitors is not just the variety of enterprises, but the scale of activity happening across the campus. Every corridor, workspace and studio adds to the steady flow of ideas, customers and collaboration that fuels the mill’s growing economic presence.
Pepperell Mill began as a textile manufacturing powerhouse in the 1840s, shaping the early identity and economy of Biddeford. For generations, the campus served as the heart of local industry, its brick buildings and riverside setting defining the city’s working waterfront. When the looms fell silent, the site faced an uncertain future, until a major revitalization effort began in 2004.
Today, the historic Pepperell Mill has been reimagined as one of Maine’s most vibrant mixed-use communities. Across 17 acres along the Saco River, restored mill buildings now blend sweeping industrial character with contemporary living, modern amenities and a thriving ecosystem of small businesses, artists and entrepreneurs. Wide-plank wood floors and exposed beams coexist with sleek interiors, creating a place where history and innovation share the same foundation.
Pepperell Mill’s impact on Biddeford has been profound. The campus anchors the city’s ongoing resurgence, drawing hundreds of residents and more than 100 businesses into a once-dormant industrial core. Local cafés, bagel shops, makers and startups flourish here, bringing new jobs, foot traffic, and creative energy to downtown. With walkable access to transit, green space, and Biddeford’s growing cultural scene, the mill has become a catalyst for renewed economic growth.
In partnership, CORE and Finard Properties are proud stewards of 464,000 square feet across 13 buildings within the Pepperell Mill complex. As two of New England’s leading real estate organizations, their shared vision builds on the site’s rich legacy while investing in its long-term future.
“We bought Pepperell Mill because it is such a unique place in the world — and we want to create an environment where tenants can thrive long-term,” said Todd Finard, CEO of Finard Properties.
“This is about more than just preserving a landmark; it’s about contributing to the ongoing story of Biddeford,” added CORE President Josh Soley.
With businesses across a wide range of industries and 100,000 square feet of raw space slated for thoughtful transformation, the next chapter of Pepperell Mill focuses on innovation, expanded opportunity, and keeping the campus at the forefront of Biddeford’s economic and cultural growth.
Pepperell Mill is more than a restored historic site. It’s a community with purpose, a hub for creativity and commerce, and a place where people live, work, and build the future together.
Let our team walk you through the space and the campus so you can experience its warmth and flow.
