Part of the Historic Third Ward, the five-story building was one of the city's first Chicago School factories.

Starting in 1946 the Midwest Lamp & Novelty Co. used the building for plating, making shades, assembly and storage.

[2] The building is located on Commission Row, a section of the Third Ward historically dominated by the produce wholesale business.

Its design is a blend of an early Chicago School motif with Renaissance Revival influences.

The fifth floor features round arched windows which are separated with carved lions' heads on a Celtic cross medallion.