Florsheim Shoe Company

Category: Preserved

Built between 1924 and 1926, the six-story building at 3963 W. Belmont Ave. is an excellent example of a "daylight" factory, so-called because its reinforced concrete and glass construction allowed for natural light and ventilation.

The building was designed by Chicago-born architect Alfred S. Alschuler, who is famous for his belief that necessary features of industrial design were clear floor plans and natural lighting.

Aschuler's design grouped utilities, stairways, elevator shafts and restrooms in one area, leaving unobstructed floor space that could accommodate manufacturing equipment.

Florsheim & Co. was founded in 1892 by Milton Florsheim, whose father took a job as a shoemaker after settling in Chicago from Germany. The company soon developed a national reputation as the makers of high-quality men’s shoes.

Florsheim shoes were manufactured on the site until 1986, when the building was turned into a warehouse for a records management company.