The historic South Bend Brewing Association Building in South Bend Indiana, rumored to once have been a hideout for Al Capone, is going up for auction. Its owner has engaged Chicago-based Auctions by ATG to conduct an on-line auction on Friday, February 13.
The opening bid for the four-story, approximately 30,000-square-foot commercial building is $120,000. The property also includes a 32-space parking lot.
“The building has great potential for a variety of uses for a buyer with vision to transform this historic structure into a vibrant commercial operation,” said Kyle Payne of Auctions by ATG. “An owner could use the original layout, and even some old equipment, to create a micro brewing operation along with a restaurant and bar. The opportunities are endless.”
The building is located at 1632-1636 Lincolnway West in South Bend, approximately one mile from the Notre Dame campus. The building is zoned for commercial uses and is a registered historic landmark. Built in 1905, the building features a Medieval castle design, including corner towers. The physical structure is tiered in the back based on the different height requirements that are necessary for the infrastructure—power, etc.—in the brewing process.
In its heyday, the South Bend Brewing Association annually produced 50,000 barrels of beer. The beer was distributed primarily in Indiana and Southern Michigan. During Prohibition, the focus changed to non-alcoholic beverage production, like Hoosier Cream Soda, as well as ice making, and accordingly the name was changed to South Bend Beverage and Ice Association. In 1950, with production down to half of its capacity, the brewery closed.
There have been numerous additions to the structure over the years. Currently, the ground floor of the building has three retail spaces, including Indiana Glass and Classic Boutique which sells antique furniture and accessories. Other spaces of the building are unoccupied. At one point in its history, the second floor, totaling approximately 10,000 square feet, had been a bar/restaurant.
