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

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

, is located at 2107 Grand Boulevard, in the

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

neighborhood of

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

. 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 Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

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 corporation founded in 1892. It manufactures, sells and markets soft drinks including Coca-Cola, other non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, and alcoholic beverages. Its stock is lis ...

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, is triangular, and the architect reflected that shape in his design for the 12-story building. It was built in the

commercial style The Chicago School refers to two architectural styles derived from the architecture of Chicago. In the architectural history, history of architecture, the first Chicago School was a school (discipline), school of architects active in Chicago in t ...

, a more utilitarian style than was typical of contemporary architecture. It later was used as the headquarters of the Western Auto Supply Company. Its multi-story lighted sign tops the building. The building and its sign are visible from much of the Crossroads and the surrounding neighborhoods, and from

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 bo ...

. 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 condominium association. The building was added to the

in 1988. It has been adapted as a residential loft condominium.

References

{{National Register of Historic Places 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

History

See also

References