Throwback Thursday – Reflector-Hardware Corporation

We take our weekly Epstein Throwback Thursday trip back to April 1958 for the opening of the Epstein designed and engineered 225,000 square foot office and manufacturing plant for the Reflector-Hardware Corporation in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Located at the intersection of Division and 25th Street this massive one-story brick facility featured a steel plating production space, warehouse and storage areas, offices as well as used iconic typography at the main entrance to promote Reflector's brand. This new automated production facility helped Reflector manufacture metal visual merchandising and display fixtures to retail stores throughout the United States.

Reflector-Hardware is no longer in business although our building at 1400 25th Street still stands, albeit with multiple modifications to the simple and clean 50s elevation. The elegant modernist entry no longer stands, replaced with a 80s era suburban shopping Mall-esque entrance. The clean masonry façade has been painted over and is now a drab industrial gray. And most depressing, the clear glazing on the main façade has been removed and in its place reflective/mirror-like windows installed. Lastly, the clean mid-century modern typography is also gone and the building now features stripmall-like signage. Yes, this does sound depressing, but this building and whats become of it, can be a grand lesson on what not to do when renovating and modernizing mid-century facilities!