Once known as the "candy capital of the world," Chicago was the home to some of the country's most iconic candy makers, including Brach's Confections. Emil J. Brach immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1881 and started his famous candy company in 1904. The company quickly expanded and moved into its famous Alfred S. Alschuler designed factory in the Austin neighborhood in 1923. Fast forward several decades, the old factory finally ceased operations in 2004, and subsequently became the focus of a preservation effort that introduced a number of ideas to repurpose the old structure. Some of the ideas floated included utilizing the factory as a high school, a mixed housing development and even a casino. In 2008, the factory made a cameo in the Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight, where it served as Gotham Hospital. Part of the factory was destroyed for a scene where the Joker sets off a large bomb at the hospital. Last August, the owner of the old complex announced that it would demolish the remaining pieces of the old factory. The site will eventually become the home to a new 500,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center. The old Brach's factory joins the iconic Wrigley chewing gum factory in meeting the wrecking ball, but will live on in photos.
·Brach's Candy Factory [American Urbex]
·"Schocking" Austin Neighborhood Architecture [Chicago Detours]
·Previous demolition posts [Curbed Chicago]