I began my photography journey in 2004 with a simple point-and-shoot camera. By 2006, I had upgraded my gear, and by 2008, I finally transitioned to my first DSLR. Throughout that growth, the Westinghouse building was always there for me. It became my studio—a "home away from home." Whenever I met someone eager to explore their first abandoned site, this is where I took them. Even models loved shooting there, often running excitedly from one unique backdrop to the next.
Originally constructed in the late 1800s and abandoned around 1979, the building is likely the most frequented ruin in Cleveland. It is massive, offering everything from vibrant graffiti to pitch-black basements. By "abandoned building standards," it’s generally safe; even the police often drive by without a second glance.
Back in 2008, it was nicknamed "The Oreo Factory." As the story goes, a group used to meet there to share milk, cookies, and conversation, leading some to mistakenly believe the building actually produced Oreos. Its popularity spiked again in 2012 after the opening scene of The Avengers was filmed there, featuring Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. (I’ll be writing a separate post about that soon!)