late 19th century original brand brewery administration building terra cotta ornament executed by the northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills.

the remarkable and historically important ornamental block was salvaged from the brewery complex during its demolition in 2012.

the brand brewery was designed by prolific chicago architect louis lehle.

the brand brewery's administration building and adjacent brewhouse were designed by brewery architect louis lehle (the former was completed in 1899).

the brewery was organized and chartered in 1876, with michael brand, president, rudolph brand, vice-president, and virgil m. brand, secretary and treasurer.

michael brand first began brewing in the spring of 1853 with partner valentine busch. the company was organized in 1864 as the busch & brand brewery where it continued operations until busch’s death in 1872.

the fire of 1871 destroyed the business leaving brand to rebuild on a much larger scale, where he purchased several tracts of land on elston near fullerton avenue. in 1876-77 he erected his new brewery, but disaster would strike again in 1885, when a fire left nothing but blackened walls. nearly two months later brand rebuilt and operated under his name until 1915, when it became the united states beverage company. the brewery finally closed its doors in 1955.