Many newcomers to our space often ask if the building was once an elementary school, given its boxy, mid-century street-facing exterior. Intrigued by the building’s unique character, we delved into old Austin newspapers to uncover its history. We discovered that 701 Tillery Street originally served as a bread factory. Over the years, we've heard countless stories from East Austin residents who remember visiting the factory on school field trips to learn about bread-making. We've even met a few people who worked there, sharing fond memories of their time in the factory. Inspired by the building's fascinating past, we decided to compile a short history for you.