The Bottle Department Opens in Historic Elgin Building
A new craft beer destination has launched at 40 DuPage Court in a renovated 1893 landmark.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Beer
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The Bottle Department has officially opened its doors in downtown Elgin, offering a curated selection of over 250 craft beers. The establishment is situated within a historic building that recently underwent a major city-approved redevelopment.
Why it matters
The opening marks a new chapter for the century-old property, which aims to bring increased commercial activity to the area. Owners hope to leverage the building's historical significance while providing a dedicated space for craft beer enthusiasts.
The Bottle Department carries over 250 craft beers and 20 draft lines, with a maximum capacity of 90 people. The business operates inside a historic building that includes 40 residential apartments.
The players
Dan Strojny
He is a business owner and partner at Legend Partners who purchased the building in 2014.
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin
This organization coordinated with the business owners to secure the downtown location.
Legend Partners
This investment group co-purchased the building and spearheaded its redevelopment efforts.
The details
Located at 40 DuPage Court, the venue occupies the ground-floor commercial space of a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project was part of an $11.3 million redevelopment effort that received $3.9 million in tax increment financing.
Timeline
The historic building originally opened in 1893.
Dan Strojny and Legend Partners purchased the building in 2014.
The city of Elgin approved the redevelopment project in 2021.
Culture Shift
The renovation project extends the preservation requirements established by the National Register of Historic Places for the Spurling Block Building. This reflects a growing trend of adaptive reuse, where historic urban infrastructure is repurposed to support modern commercial and residential growth.
Residents and visitors can now visit the downtown space to sample from the extensive craft beer selection. The addition of this commercial venue contributes to the revitalization of the DuPage Court area.
The takeaway
The successful redevelopment shows how private investment can breathe new life into historically protected urban spaces. Local patrons can support this trend by visiting the new downtown space to experience the fusion of 19th-century architecture and modern craft beverage offerings.
Further reading
For more on the local scene, visit Elgin Beer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Herald.
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