Florsheim Shoe Company Building

“The use of terra cotta for the first one or two floors and for the cornice or coping, with some molding of the concrete on the intermediate floors, has proved both economical and attractive." Alschuler was not alone in his determination to raise the design standard of industrial buildings.”

“Alschuler was one of Chicago's leading, innovative designers of industrial buildings in the early 20th century, and the Florsheim Shoe Company Building exemplifies his philosophy of innovative reinforced-concrete construction as applied to industrial buildings.”

“ARCHITECT ALFRED S. ALSCHULER Alfred S. Alschuler (1876-1940), the architect of the Florsheim Shoe Company Building, was one of Chicago's most prominent early 20th-century architects. Born in Chicago to German immigrant parents, Alschuler received bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the Armour Institute of Technology (now the Illinois Institute of Technology), and also took classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.”

“Through newspaper and magazine advertising, Florsheim developed a national reputation for high quality, and retailers became eager to showcase the company's shoes in their stores. The Florsheim Shoe Company grew rapidly during the 1910s and 20s, building two new factory buildings within a five-year period.”

“In History of the Jews in Chicago, published in 1923, Hyman L. Meites notes: "The greatness of Chicago in the commercial world is due to two facts, her unrivaled geographical position, and her vigorous far-sighted leaders." Meites goes on to note the important role that Jewish manufacturers such as Milton Florsheim played in Chicago's clothing and shoe manufacturing trade.”

“He also was one of the first to divide a Chicago office building into units of 17 feet each, a measure now accepted as the standard requirement." Alschuler is commonly credited as being one of the first architects in Chicago to use reinforced concrete as the structural framework for his industrial factories and warehouses.”

“Building exteriors could then be ornamented, if desired, with decorative motives, often in terra cotta, illustrating the belief that industrial buildings should be aesthetically pleasing. The Florsheim Shoe Company Building exemplifies this design philosophy.”

“(The corners of the building's rooftop parapets have been rebuilt, removing small original sections of terra-cotta ornament similar to that surrounding the building's entrance.) At the time of the Florsheim Shoe Company Building's construction, shoe manufacturing was an important component of Chicago's industrial might.”

“Based on the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, the Florsheim Shoe Company Building arguably is one of the finest-proportioned and most visually distinctive example of this type of industrial building remaining in Chicago.”

“Florsheim opened its first company-owned store in Chicago's Loop in the Brand Building at 18 W. Jackson, just off State Street, in 1904 (building demolished), but the vast majority of the company's shoes were sold by independent retailers.”