Cedar Avenue Business Center located at 1020 Cedar Ave, St. Charles
Originally home to the Globe Music Company, which operated from 1890 to1940, this building was constructed in 1920 after Globe Music moved from Chicago to St. Charles in 1915. The company, known for manufacturing affordable musical instruments, gained fame for its ukuleles, especially the banjo ukulele.
In 1934, Globe Music swapped buildings with Operadio, a company that produced the first portable radio and specialized in manufacturing sonar systems and other communication equipment vital to World War II efforts. Founded in 1922, Operadio went into receivership in 1951, later reemerging as DuKane, a global leader in advanced technology products.
Champion Auto Parts acquired the building in 1972 when DuKane relocated to its current facility at 2900 DuKane Drive, St. Charles. Champion operated out of the building, known as “The Old DuKane Building” until 1976, focusing on rebuilding automotive components like clutches, carburetors, fuel systems and engines.
BEI purchased the building in 1976 and undertook extensive renovations, transforming the space into multi-use areas. Upgrades included a new roof, improved lighting, utility meters, landscaping, and customized build outs to suit tenants’ needs. The building retains its historic charm, featuring hardwood floors, lofted ceilings, large windows, skylights, and exposed brick walls, offering an urban atmosphere in the suburban setting.
In 2019, approximately 61,000 square feet of the building were renovated to create “In Towne Self Storage”, a temperature-controlled storage facility. Further improvements were made in 2022, including a new barrel roof, gutter and downspouts, and a new parking field. Communal areas of the office section were also renovated in 2024.
