The Western Auto Building, first known as the Coca-Cola Building or the Candler Building, after owner

Asa Griggs Candler Asa Griggs Candler (December 30, 1851 – March 12, 1929) was an American business tycoon and politician who in 1888 purchased the Coca-Cola formula, Coca-Cola recipe for $238.98 from chemist John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta Georgia, Atlanta, G ...

, is located at 2107 Grand Boulevard, in the

Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...

neighborhood of

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

. Built in 1914, it later served as the headquarters of the Western Auto Supply Company and became known by that association, especially when the company put a multi-story lighted sign on top of the building. The building was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1988. After serving as office space, it was redeveloped in the early 21st century as part of Western Auto Lofts, a condominium association incorporating three adjacent buildings.

History

The twelve-story building was designed by Arthur C. Tufts & Co. and built in 1914 by the Swenson Construction Company, for the

Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation founded in 1892, best known as the producer of Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Company also manufactures, sells, and markets other non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, ...

had bought the recipe for the drink in 1892, founded the company and rapidly expanded distribution of the product. He established new bases in the South and Midwest, and began to sell the soda drink in Cuba. First known as the Coca-Cola Building or Candler Building, this was one of several he had built through Coca-Cola. Candler's company headquarters occupied the elaborate Candler Building in Atlanta. This plot of land, originally purchased in 1913, was triangular, and the architect reflected that shape in his design for the 12-story building. The building was built in the

commercial style Chicago's architecture is famous throughout the world and one style is referred to as the Chicago School. Much of its early work is also known as Commercial Style. In the history of architecture, the first Chicago School was a school of architec ...

, a more utilitarian style than was typical of contemporary architecture. It later was used as the headquarters of the

Western Auto Supply Company Western Auto Supply Company—known more widely as Western Auto—was a specialty retail chain of stores that supplied automobile parts and accessories. It operated approximately 1200 stores across the United States. It was started in ...

. Its multi-story lighted sign still tops the building. The building and its sign are visible from much of the Crossroads and the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as to drivers on

Interstate 35 Interstate 35 (I-35) is a major Interstate Highway in the central United States. As with most primary Interstates that end in a five, it is a major cross-country, north–south route. It stretches from Laredo, Texas, near the Mexican border ...

. This visibility, together with the structure's longevity, has made the Western Auto Building a city landmark. The sign was relit on July 13, 2018 at 8:45pm Central time, having been refurbished with funding from the current condo association. The building was added to the

in 1988. It has been adapted for use as a residential loft condominium.Western Auto Lofts - Retrieved 31 March 2011
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References

Office buildings completed in 1914 Coca-Cola buildings and structures Buildings and structures in Kansas City, Missouri Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri National Register of Historic Places in Kansas City, Missouri Crossroads, Kansas City 1914 establishments in Missouri Chicago school architecture in Missouri {{KansasCityMO-NRHP-stub