The Albert D. German warehouse was designed in 1915 in Wright's birthplace, Richland Center, WI.  German was a dealer in such commodities as coal, grain, hay and cement; after Wright moved to Spring Green he did considerable shopping with German.  When Wright was unable to pay his bill, German agreed to take payment in the form of a design for a new warehouse for his rapidly growing business.

Construction began in 1917 and proceeded slowly, with the costs of the building soon far surpassing the estimated cost Wright had provided.  Finally in 1921, construction ended, although the building was not complete.  German lost the warehouse in the depression when his company collapsed.