Rare look inside the Longaberger Basket Building, an architectural marvel ...Middle East

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — By many accounts, the iconic Longaberger Basket Building, former headquarters of the now-defunct basket maker and home products company, has reached cult status.

Since closing to the world in 2016, passionate visitors have trekked to 1500 E. Main St. in Newark to take selfies and stand in awe of the architectural accomplishment. Sightseers say that part of the mystique of the seven-story basket-shaped edifice lies in speculation about how it could be used in its next life. The desolate appearance of its outside also drives curiosity about what it looks like on the inside.

Digital creator Mark Soergel recently shared his experience with the structure when he received the opportunity of a lifetime to go inside and take photographs. Soergel reposted the story and pictures of what he described as a “wild day” in a Facebook group called Liminal Photography.

“I made the trip down to shoot the old Longaberger Basket headquarters near Newark, Ohio, that has been sitting abandoned for years,” Soergel wrote in the caption. “As I was about to head back to the car after peeking into the loading dock doors, a car rolled up and a guy put his window down and asked what I was doing … I told him I was just taking pictures and he offered to take me through the inside of this massive basket building!”

Soergel went on to explain that the man he met was a retired local police chief who did security and maintenance for the owner. On his private tour, Soergel got to take the elevator up to the top floor, which provided “great views.” He said the inside was “eerie” with “a lonely liminal vibe,” a big contrast to the bustling office building it once was, less than a decade ago.

In an update to the post, Soergel noted that his impromptu guide was tasked with keeping a meticulous eye on the premises, checking for flooding and leaks in the ceiling.

“The basement at the loading dock where we went in has the BIGGEST sump pumps I have ever seen,” Soergel wrote. “It is very near a river and the size of the building warranted a HUGE foundation, so … these pumps need to be working, hence the reason the power has never been shut off for as long as it has been empty.”

Another reason the electricity has to stay on is because of one of the previous workplace's trademarks — the enormous “basket” handles that sit over its roof. Soergel learned that those are “heated to prevent ice buildup in winter,” which “could fall off and damage or break the huge skylights.”

Soergel said his chaperone shared some other fascinating information about the space, such as that turning it into condominiums or a hotel would be difficult and expensive, but not impossible, due to its plumbing configuration.

“The idea the man I talked to thought would be best is to open it up to small businesses, like an office park that could house all kinds of different places, including retail, office and possibly a cafe/restaurant (where the cafeterias used to be),” Soergel continued. “There is a small movie theater, and a gym and a daycare area already there. I think this is a GREAT idea.”

The online creator was optimistic as he finished the account of his journey for fans of the architectural marvel.

“Hopefully, something comes of it, no matter what it is,” he said. “Too cool and unique of a building to be just vacant.”

He also warned others not to try to get in on their own.

“It is locked up tight with motion sensor alarms, so please don't try to sneak in,” he revealed. “I just got lucky!!”

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