Wainwright Building - St. Louis, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 38° 37.608 W 090° 11.518
15S E 744446 N 4279104
Historic building is viewed as the "father" of today's skyscrapers. The Wainwright Building was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1968.
Waymark Code: WMK7N
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 08/05/2006
Views: 288
"Statement
of Significance (as of designation - May 23, 1968):
Built in 1890-91 for a wealthy St. Louis brewer, this ten story, iron and steel
frame structure is a highly influential prototype of the modern office building.
Its design represents architect Louis Sullivan's (1856-1924) most thorough
attempt to create a special form appropriate to the multi-story office block." ~
National Historic Landmark website
"In 1891 the Wainwright Building was constructed for St.
Louis Businessman Ellis Wainwright. It was designed by Louis H. Sullivan, a
Chicago architect.
The Wainwright Building is the father of the contemporary
skyscraper. Sullivan's design emphasized open, spacious interiors.
Sullivan combined a load-bearing steel framework with architectural details
taken from earlier load-bearing masonry structures. His large windows
flooded the Wainwright Building with natural light. The airy construction
allowed by the steel framework was a radical departure from the heavy concrete
buildings of the time
The Wainwright Building became a turning point in
architectural history. It is now regarded as the pioneer of contemporary
building design." ~ building plaque
The building had fallen on hard times and was threatened with
demolition, the National Trust for Historic Preservation took an option on the
building saving it from demolition. The building is now owned by the State
of Missouri, has been renovated and is now a state office building.
