The original 11 story Ziock Building opened at 416 South Main Street, becoming the tallest building in Rockford at the time. Designed as a state of the art “daylight factory,” it featured reinforced concrete construction, expansive steel sash windows, open floor plans, and advanced ventilation — setting a new standard for industrial architecture.

As demand increased, Ziock commissioned a vertical expansion. A 13 story addition was completed in 1920, further cementing the building’s role as a cornerstone of Rockford’s booming textile industry and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The Aldeen Company, founded by Swedish immigrants Gedor and Ruben Aldeen, began producing cabinet hardware inside the building — an early sign of the structure’s transition from textiles to hardware manufacturing.

The Aldeen Company evolved into the American Cabinet Hardware Corporation, later adopting the name Amerock — a combination of “American” and “Rockford.” The building became widely known as the Amerock Building, a name still recognized by locals today.

Amerock officially purchased the Ziock Building, operating across all floors and establishing the site as a global headquarters for cabinet hardware manufacturing during its peak years.

A final six story addition was completed, bringing the building to its full historic footprint. Despite its success, Amerock soon faced logistical challenges related to downtown parking.

Amerock relocated operations to a suburban campus, briefly repurchasing the building in 1959 for storage. Manufacturing use within the structure largely came to an end, and the building gradually fell into disuse.

Multiple attempts were made to redevelop the building through adaptive reuse, but none were successful. The structure remained vacant and increasingly viewed as an industrial relic rather than an asset.

The City of Rockford acquired the building, initially considering demolition. Preservation advocates, including Friends of Ziock, mobilized to save the structure and highlight its historical significance.

The Ziock Building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance to Rockford’s industrial and architectural history and making historic preservation possible.

The building was purchased by Gorman & Company, with a vision to preserve its industrial character while reimagining it for modern use.

Construction began on the transformation of the historic structure into Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center, carefully integrating original architectural features into the new design.

After delays related to the COVID 19 pandemic, Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront officially opened, marking the building’s return as a centerpiece of downtown Rockford — more than a century after its original debut.

Today, the historic Ziock Building is home to Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center, Rockford’s only downtown full‑service hotel and conference destination. Carefully restored and reimagined, the building now offers modern hospitality while preserving the industrial character that defined it for more than a century.

The hotel features 160 spacious studio and two‑room suites, designed within the building’s original concrete structure and large industrial windows. Guests can enjoy two on‑site dining experiences, including Culinary Underground, a bold restaurant and bar located within the building, and The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge, offering panoramic views of downtown Rockford and the Rock River.

The property also includes the Rockford Conference Center, with over 21,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, welcoming conferences, weddings, and community gatherings back into a building that once served as a hub of industry and innovation.

More than a restored landmark, Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront has become a catalyst for downtown revitalization — transforming a once‑vacant industrial structure into a place for travelers, event guests, and the local community to gather, stay, and connect along the Rock River.