The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Brunswick Corporation Headquarters

1913-1964

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. Brunswick Corporation Headquarters Marker

Inscription. For over a half century, this building housed the headquarters of the Company which has come to be known as Brunswick Corporation. Then called the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, it moved here in 1913 after a fire destroyed its previous home. The Company subsequently became Brunswick Corporation in 1960 and its corporate offices remained here until 1964 when new quarters were built. Brunswick is a world leader in the fields of recreation and leisure, and is metropolitan Chicago's oldest, continuously independent public company. This marker is dedicated in recognition of The Company's 150th Anniversary in 1995.

Erected 1995 by Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 41° 52.423′ N, 87° 37.547′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on South Wabash Avenue north of Balbo Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is to the left of the entrance of the building, owned today by Columbia College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 623 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The 19th Amendment (a few steps from this marker); ... I'm Speaking. (a few steps from this marker); Merle Reskin Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackstone Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Diosa (Jasmina Cazucu) (about 600 feet away); Auditorium Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Auditorium Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker is chiseled into the stone wall of the building, which served as Brunswick's headquarters for about 50 years.

Regarding Brunswick Corporation Headquarters. This 10-story building was originally built in 1895 as a warehouse and factory for the Indiana-headquartered Studebaker Brothers Carriage Company, which had outgrown its first Chicago factory and salesroom building about three blocks from this location, at 410 S. Michigan Ave. (That original Studebaker building also still stands today and has since 1898 been known as the Fine Arts Building.) This new building on Wabash Ave. was constructed by Solon S. Beman, the architect of that 410 S. Michigan building as well as the

Photographed by Sean Flynn, December 5, 2023

2. Brunswick Corporation Headquarters Marker

Pullman industrial town on Chicago's south side.

The newer Studebaker building was acquired less than a decade later by Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company (now known as Brunswick), which through the years would be known for its manufacture of a variety of products ranging from billiards tables and bars to bowling equipment and phonographs. In 1964, Brunswick moved into a new skyscraper it constructed at the southwest corner of Dearborn and Washington streets. That building today is the Cook County Administration Building. Columbia College acquired this old Brunswick building on Wabash in 1983.

Brunswick Corporation's headquarters today are in Mettawa, Illinois, a suburb about 35 miles north of this building. As of 2023, Brunswick's primary business is marine recreation and technology, the company having exited the fitness equipment and bowling markets during the 2010s.

Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Chicago: Brunswick Corp. (Submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

623 South Wabash image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, December 5, 2023

3. 623 South Wabash

The one-time Brunswick Corporation Headquarters is used today by Columbia College Chicago.

Brunswick Corporation Headquarters building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 14, 2025

4. Brunswick Corporation Headquarters building

A view of the building from the CTA Green Line "L" train.

Brunswick Corporation Headquarters image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum, circa 1895

5. Brunswick Corporation Headquarters

An early photo of the building taken not long after it was completed in 1895

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,397 times since then and 155 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.