The Evolution of Andy Warhol’s Factory
Andy Warhol wasn’t just an artist. He was a cultural phenomenon. The guy who did the soup cans? Marlyn Monroe. Warhol was the guy. Warhol embodies everything you associate with 1960s New York. Art, drugs and shady behaviour for the time. It all left a lasting mark on pop culture. We explore the places where his creativity thrived, with some still standing, others lost to time.
About
In the 1960s, after leaving the world of commercial illustration, he began transforming himself into an artistic enigma who forever changed the landscape of modern art, celebrity culture, and mass production. But every star needs a stage, and Warhol’s studio-turned-social-hub became one of the most infamous creative spaces in history, known simply as ‘The Factory.’
Throughout Warhol’s lifetime, The Factory existed in four different locations, each one marking a distinct era of his artistic career and social influence. From a drug-fueled underground haven for aspiring Superstars, to a high-security sanctuary for a global icon, The Factory evolved alongside Warhol himself.
Want to go there?
Add the Place of Interest
Create your own itineraries in MyPlan, on the Ylore Travel app.
The Silver Factory (1962–1967) – The Birth of a Creative Empire
The first iteration of The Factory was in a now-demolished building on East 47th Street. With rent costing a mere $100 per year, Warhol’s friend, Billy Name, famously covered the walls with tinfoil and silver paint, earning it the nickname The Silver Factory.
This early Factory was a chaotic, drug-fueled experimental space, where Warhol’s entourage, known as the Warhol Superstars, spent their days making avant-garde films and indulging in copious amounts of amphetamines and barbiturates. It was here that Warhol produced some of his most famous films. But in 1967, The Silver Factory was torn down, forcing Warhol and his followers to relocate.
The Decker Building (1967–1973) – The Warhol Assembly Line
With a new home at 33 Union Square West, Warhol’s Factory evolved from an experimental film studio into a full-fledged art production house. Here, Warhol’s iconic silkscreen paintings were mass-produced, his studio literally becoming an art factory.
Famous Works from this period:
Marilyn Diptych (1967) – The famous multi-panel image of Marilyn Monroe.
Mao (1972) – A colorful silkscreen portrait of Mao Zedong.
Electric Chair (1971) – A haunting series exploring violence in media.
But this era of The Factory was also marked by tragedy. In 1968, radical feminist writer Valerie Solanas, author of the S.C.U.M. Manifesto (Society for Cutting Up Men)—shot Warhol three times, believing he was trying to control her screenplay. The bullets ripped through his lungs, spleen, stomach, liver, esophagus, and finally his right lung. He was clinically dead before being revived, leaving him with lifelong health issues.
In response, Warhol installed video surveillance in The Factory but still felt unsafe. By 1973, he moved once again, this time prioritizing security.
The High-Security Factory (1974–1984)
Relocating a block across Union Square, The Factory’s third location became a private workspace, shifting from a vibrant social hub to Warhol’s personal refuge. Bulletproof doors, security cameras, and restricted access replaced the freewheeling energy of the past.
It was here that Warhol experimented with new themes, including:
Time Capsules – Over 600 boxes of everyday objects, stored for future discovery.
Skull Paintings – Dark reflections on mortality after his near-fatal shooting.
Oxidation (Piss) Paintings – Created by having assistants urinate on copper-coated canvases.
To further shield himself from obsessed fans, he hired foreign receptionists who barely spoke English, frustrating frequent callers into giving up.
The Final Factory (1984–1987) – Warhol’s Legacy
Warhol’s final Factory, located on East 33rd Street, was no longer the epicenter of his social world. Instead, Warhol spent more time at nightclubs, such as Studio 54, and on Hollywood projects.
The ‘factory’ on 33rd has long since gone, replaced with a non descript and uninspiring glass building. Still the memory lingers on what it would have been like here with Warhol.
48 E 33rd St, Manhattan, New York County, 10016It was in this final location that Warhol produced:
Celebrity Silkscreens – Iconic portraits of Michael Jackson, Prince, and Debbie Harry.
The Last Supper (1986) – A reinterpretation of Da Vinci’s masterpiece, created just before his passing.
See more here.
In 1987, Warhol died unexpectedly following complications from gallbladder surgery, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped modern art, celebrity culture, and media itself.
Enduring Influence
Andy Warhol’s Factory wasn’t just a studio, it was a movement. From avant-garde filmmaking to mass-producing pop culture imagery, it shaped the future of art, celebrity branding, and creative collaboration. Though the Factory is gone, its influence on art, fame, and media lives on.
Happy travels
Discover More with Ylore
Explore New York and surrounds like never before with our immersive, multimedia self-guided tours. Dive deeper into the stories of the people and places that make the city a world-renowned destination.
With Ylore, you’ll also enjoy:
- Pop-Up Tour Points featuring local insights and must-try food spots
- Hidden Gems showcasing unique activities and secret locations
- Travel Tips & Insights to make your journey smoother and more enriching
Start your adventures today here or browse for ideas on where to go an what to do here.
Follow Us
Download the Ylore Travel app
Brett Williams
Brett Williams is the founder of Ylore Travel, a platform dedicated to making self-guided travel accessible to adventurers worldwide. With experience exploring over 50 countries and living in four, Brett’s passion for discovering new places and immersing himself in diverse cultures inspired the creation of Ylore Travel. Based in New York, he continues to seek out unique experiences and empower others to explore the world at their own pace.