Railway Exchange Building, building in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
The Railway Exchange Building is a large office and retail structure in downtown St. Louis, completed in 1913-1914 and designed in the Chicago School style. The structure spans 21 stories with strong vertical lines, numerous rows of windows, and ornate stone details adorning the exterior.
The building was constructed from 1911-1913 as a headquarters for the Famous-Barr department store chain after May Department Stores merged two retailers. The structure combined retail spaces on the lower floors with office space above, which was later leased to railroad and other major companies.
The name Railway Exchange comes from its original purpose as a trading hub for the railroad industry. Visitors today can observe the ornate stonework and metal details on the exterior, which reflect the craftsmanship of the early industrial era.
The building is located downtown at 6th and 7th Streets near Olive Street and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors can view the exterior from the sidewalk, where the ornate details are best observed.
The neighboring Kingston Building was constructed simultaneously and housed a power plant that supplied steam and electricity to the Railway Exchange Building. This private utility system with turbines was an impressive technical feat of the era.
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