Commerce Trust Building
Encyclopedia
Commerce Trust Building is a 17-story tower built for Kansas City Missouri's biggest bank Commerce Bancshares
in 1906 and was Kansas City's first skyscraper.
It has facade of red granite and white terra cotta tiles and was Missouri's tallest building when it opened.
Formerly on the site was the home of the Kansas City Journal which in turn was taken over by Commerce. Harry Truman worked in the predecessor building.
Its architect Jarvis Hunt
also designed Union Station and the headquarters of the Kansas City Star. The construction company George A. Fuller Company
which built the Flatiron Building
in the New York City and as a company continues to build major skyscrapers around the world.
In 1965 Commerce built a larger adjoining building Commerce Tower
but has continued to use the original building.
In 2004 Commerce Bancshares
conducted a $48 million renovation of the building expanding its square footage to 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) by filling in the light court
between the fourth and 15th floors.
Part of the renovation also included illuminating the lobby's ornate glass ceiling to replicate natural sunlight.
Commerce Bancshares
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a Kansas City, Missouri based U.S. bank holding company with branches of its Commerce Bank in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Oklahoma....
in 1906 and was Kansas City's first skyscraper.
It has facade of red granite and white terra cotta tiles and was Missouri's tallest building when it opened.
Formerly on the site was the home of the Kansas City Journal which in turn was taken over by Commerce. Harry Truman worked in the predecessor building.
Its architect Jarvis Hunt
Jarvis Hunt
Jarvis Hunt was a "renowned Chicago architect" who designed a wide array of buildings, including train stations, suburban estates, industrial buildings, clubhouses and other structures....
also designed Union Station and the headquarters of the Kansas City Star. The construction company George A. Fuller Company
George A. Fuller
George A. Fuller was an architect often credited as being the "inventor" of modern skyscrapers and the modern contracting system.-Early life and career:Fuller was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, near Worcester...
which built the Flatiron Building
Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building, or Fuller Building, as it was originally called, is located at 175 Fifth Avenue in the borough of Manhattan, New York City and is considered to be a groundbreaking skyscraper. Upon completion in 1902 it was one of the tallest buildings in the city and the only skyscraper...
in the New York City and as a company continues to build major skyscrapers around the world.
In 1965 Commerce built a larger adjoining building Commerce Tower
Commerce Tower
Commerce Tower is a 30-story Skyscraper located in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Constructed in 1965, it is the ninth tallest habitable structure in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, and, since the completion of the City Hall, it was the first locally designed Skyscraper in Kansas City...
but has continued to use the original building.
In 2004 Commerce Bancshares
Commerce Bancshares
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a Kansas City, Missouri based U.S. bank holding company with branches of its Commerce Bank in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Oklahoma....
conducted a $48 million renovation of the building expanding its square footage to 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) by filling in the light court
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
between the fourth and 15th floors.
Part of the renovation also included illuminating the lobby's ornate glass ceiling to replicate natural sunlight.