Shell Building (St. Louis)

The Shell Building is a historic office building located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Constructed in 1922, it stands at 22 stories and is notable for its distinctive Art Deco architectural style. Originally built to house the regional headquarters of the Shell Oil Company, the building features terra cotta cladding, intricate ornamentation, and setbacks that are characteristic of the period.

The building is located at 1221 Locust Street and was designed by the architectural firm of Mauran, Russell & Crowell. Its construction was part of a wave of commercial development in downtown St. Louis during the early 20th century. The Shell Building is considered a significant example of early skyscraper design in the city.

Throughout its history, the Shell Building has housed a variety of tenants, reflecting the changing economic landscape of St. Louis. While Shell Oil Company eventually moved its regional offices, the building continued to operate as a multi-tenant office space.

In recent years, the Shell Building has undergone renovations and adaptive reuse projects, including conversion into residential apartments. These efforts have aimed to preserve its architectural heritage while adapting it for modern uses. It remains a prominent landmark in the St. Louis skyline.