I began my photography journey in 2004 with a simple point-and-shoot camera. By 2006, I had upgraded to a high end point and shoot, and by 2008, I 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.
Built in 1888 as the East Cleveland Railroad Power House, this sprawling site evolved into a central hub of Cleveland manufacturing. Beginning in 1922, Westinghouse Electric utilized the complex to manufacture heavy electrical equipment, power motors, and foundry castings, packing the cavernous industrial bays with machinery. Simultanously, Virden Lighting established its operations across the vast campus, growing into one of the nation’s largest producers of light fixtures. After serving a final chapter hosting aerospace production for TRW/TAPCO, the massive industrial complex saw operations wind down and was left completely abandoned around 1979.
Back in 2008, in Flickr groups, 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 in 2012 after the opening scene of The Avengers was filmed there, featuring Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. Click HERE for blog.
Sometime around 2021, n a graffiti artist created a large tag in the exposed middle area that stated "Welcome to Doom City". This led to some newer explorers referring to the building as "Doom City".
In May of 2026, it was confirmed that Westinghouse will eventually be demolished as part of the "Midline Project". Westinghouse fans protested with signs HERE in this blog.
In late June 2026, an officer stopped by the site and mentioned police had issued over a dozen trespassing tickets in the past month alone. He called the influx of visitors a ongoing 'problem' and confirmed patrols will keep citing people. They are actively monitoring cars parked nearby—running plates and waiting for explorers to exit the building. Explore at your own risk.