Shell Building

The Shell Building is a 13-story commercial structure in downtown St. Louis with a distinctive curved form that adapts to its corner location. Its rounded footprint follows the natural curve where Locust Street meets North 13th Street, creating an eye-catching presence on the block.

Architects Jamieson and Spearl designed this structure in 1926 as Shell Oil Company's first American headquarters. The selection of St. Louis for this corporate presence reflected the city's importance as a major business hub at that time.

The structure reflects how major corporations shaped downtown areas during the early 20th century through their architectural presence. Visitors can see this legacy today as the building continues to anchor the corner and define the character of the surrounding streets.

The building now houses two distinct Hilton hotel properties, Home2 Suites and Tru, each offering different types of accommodations for visitors. The two properties operate independently with separate entrances and services, so guests should know which hotel they are booking when planning their stay.

This structure was built in 1926 as Shell's first office outside Europe, marking the company's entry into the American market. Its role as a pioneering building for the company's expansion into a new continent gives it special significance in corporate history.

Location: Missouri

Inception: 1926

Architects: Jamieson and Spearl

Floors above the ground: 13

GPS coordinates: 38.63050,-90.19610

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:21