The Larkin Company purchased the property in late 1911 for $45,257 and built the building in 1912 at a cost of approximately $500,000.

[2][3][4][5] It was designed by F. E. Lockwood and originally housed the Larkin Company's Chicago operations.

[1][3][5] It also housed the offices and warehouse of the Vassar Swiss Underwear Company from 1913 until 1914, when it moved to its newly built plant at 2545 West Diversey.

[11] The building served the headquarters of the Jewel Food Stores division, as well as its warehouse.

[12] In 1954, much of the company's Chicago and Barrington operations were combined at their new site in Melrose Park, but the building continued to serve Jewel as a distribution warehouse for many years.