Spivey Building
The Spivey Building is a twelve-story commercial structure made of stone and brick, constructed in 1927 in East St. Louis. The facade features terra cotta decorative elements around the windows, a distinctive roofline with a parapet, and an off-center entrance framed with marble pillars.
The building was designed by architect Albert B. Frankel and constructed in 1927 during a period of economic growth in East St. Louis. It remained in active use until 1980, after which it sat vacant for decades until earning National Register status in 2002.
The building housed offices for the East St. Louis Journal and various professional firms that shaped local commerce. It represents a time when business leaders and workers gathered here to conduct daily operations and build the community.
The building sits on Missouri Avenue in downtown East St. Louis and is visible from the street, though interior access is not possible. Visitors should approach carefully, as falling bricks and debris present safety hazards in the surrounding area.
The building was the only skyscraper ever built in East St. Louis and was commissioned by A. T. Spivey, owner of the East St. Louis Journal newspaper. Today it faces potential demolition, though preservation experts believe restoration is still possible.
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