Former State Farm Insurance Building

Brief History:

• 1929 - First eight of the building’s floors were completed and housed George J. Mecherle's automobile insurance company, which was established in 1922.

• 1934 - An additional four floors and a penthouse were added to the original building.

• 1939-1940 – As company continued to expand, State Farm acquired the old Odd Fellows Hall on the corner of East and Jefferson streets and demolished it to build the first eight floors of the north addition.

• 1945 – The final five stories were added to the north section.

• 1974 - State Farm headquarters relocated to Veterans Parkway building (1 State Farm Plaza), while building still houses offices for State Farm.

• 2018 -- In February 2018 State Farm moved their employees out of the downtown building

• 2019 – In July, State Farm announced plans to demolish the building after finding no one to buy the building. In October, State Farm sold the building to Urban Equity Properties, a Rockford, IL developer, for less than $100.

• 2020 – Urban Equity Properties announced they were abandoning their plans for luxury apartments in favor of office space. Keplr Vision signed a multi-year lease for the top four floors of the building.

Architectural Description:

• Light brown brick, Art-Deco style building due to its distinct recessed windows and pilaster .

• Structure is made of steel framing with masonry curtain walls hanging from the frame.

• Ornamentation is more decorative than typical Art-Deco buildings., Includes terra-cotta ornamentation pattern on the facades from the third to the top floor.

• The second-floor acts as a belt course with strong stone masonry detailing, and protruding wrought iron and stone light fixtures.

• Cornice is detailed by medallions and stonework, adding a graceful and elaborate touch to the facade of the building.