Spotlight at Metro Lofts: Steam Factory
Steam Factory is a unique 3-D printing hub newly-located at Metro Lofts off University Ave in St. Paul. Steam Factory was founded by Rick Beddoe in 2015 and was “born out of a passion for 3D printing and a desire to make this technology accessible to everyone.”
Steam Factory is a one-stop-shop for all things 3-D printing. Their team of engineers can help you produce anything from large-scale patterns for casting and molding to small, detailed figurines and technical pieces.
Rick explained that printing technology and materials have evolved over the past 10 years, making 3-D printing more accessible for recreational users instead of just to those in technical professions, like mechanical engineering. Bringing easily-accessible design and printing to the area is what he strives to do at Steam Factory.
Rick is establishing Steam Factory as a community hub: a place where students can work on their homework while they wait for their design to print, where folks can come to game, and where they can come to learn.
Steam Factory offers a wide variety of classes on CAD and 3D modeling, 3D printing, and manufacturing. In addition to those standard classes, they also host Design & Wine, a two-hour “creative escape where you’ll sip your favorite wine while learning to design custom jewelry using beginner-friendly 3D design tools.” One of Steam Factory’s largest events of the year, Aether Fest, is coming up in October. To learn more about Aether Fest 2025, you can visit the Eventbrite page here.
Steam Factory’s brand is all-things steampunk. From their website design to their physical space (which you can virtually tour here), they lean into the retro-futuristic technology and aesthetic.
With community being central to Steam Factory’s mission to deliver locally-crafted goods within a brick-and mortar storefront, location was of the utmost importance. Rick was drawn to the available space at Metro Lofts due to the other business nearby, ample foot and vehicular traffic, and the proximity to the light rail. Although retail space is full at Metro Lofts, the neighboring Court West office building has space available for lease. To learn more about our available retail, office, and industrial space for lease, click here.
