The Universal Building: From the Hot Stove to Hot Office Spaces
The Universal Building at 700 N. Sacramento provides inspiring commercial loft offices in the West Town area of Chicago. This 150,000-square-foot historic gem was built in 1901 as a stove factory for Cribben and Sexton Co. In the early 2000s, the West Town commercial building was thoroughly renovated and restored into loft offices.
The Universal Building: From Hot Stoves to Hot Office Spaces
Cribben and Sexton Co. Historical Timeline:
1867
James Sexton creates stove foundry with partner John Jackson, factory is located at 178 Lake Street.
1871
Chicago Fire destroys the facility and Sexton Partnership is shut down due to little insurance on the company. Before the fire reached the Sexton foundry, Sexton’s men tossed the foundry molds into the Chicago River for protection. He later retrieved the molds and was able to continue production.
1872
Sexton meets Henry Cribben in Chicago.
1873
Cribben Sexton and organizes the Cribben and Sexton Co.
1874
The business moves to 75-77 Lake Street.
1880
The business continues to grow and they purchase the property on the west and east sides of their factory. Their expanded facility contains the foundry, warehouse and office buildings. They manufacture a complete line of steel and cast iron parlor stoves, cooking stoves and heating stoves of every description for both wood and coal. This facility manufactured over 40,000 units a year. All the stoves are produced under the name Universal Stoves and Ranges.
1885
Another fire causes severe damage, but the company quickly recovers from loss and looks for another location for factory.
1889
President Benjamin Harrison appoints Sexton Postmaster of Chicago and he served for five years, holding office during the Columbian Exposition.
1898
Construction of 700 N. Sacramento building begins. Sexton sells his interest in the business, due to failing health, to Henry and his son William Cribben.
1899
Sexton dies in Washington D.C.
1900
The business employs over 500 workmen.
1901
The company moves into its new building at 700 N. Sacramento and continues to produce stoves.
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1902
The elementary school at 160 W. Wendell St. in Chicago was renamed for James A. Sexton.
1913
Cribben and Sexton Co. begin producing the first gas-powered stoves in the country at 700 N. Sacramento.
Late
1930s-1946
The stove operations shut down and the factory supports the war effort by producing cannons and motor shells.
1950
The building is sold to a charcoal company.
1965
Playskool Toys purchases the building and produces toys for the next decade.
Late 1970s
Building is purchased by Alco Products and produces plastic bottles.
1999
Building purchased by current ownership.
2000
Rennovations begin to create current loft office building.
2001
First tenants move in to the new creative loft office space.
For more information about leasing office lofts in The Universal Building in Chicago, please call 773.342.2020.
Henry Cribben and James Andrew Sexton founded the Cribben and Sexton Co. in 1873. The company was one of the top stove producers in the United States. The firm eventually set up at 700 N. Sacramento in Chicago in 1901, which has since been renovated to house premier loft office space.
