cobb's richly ornamented red slip terra cotta-clad 17-story chemical building: a decedant of holabird and roche's tacoma building

images of henry ives cobb’s 17-story chemical building (1896), located on the ne corner of 8^th and olive streets, st. louis. mo. the building’s annex was designed by st. louis-based firm of mauran, russell, and garden in 1903.

the ornamental cast iron was executed by christopher and simpson iron works and the terra cotta (iron oxide was added to the red slip glaze to resemble brownstone) was fabricated by the winkle terra cotta, st. louis, mo.

the chemical building is a noteworthy example of the chicago-style orieled office building and a direct descendant of holabird & roche's non-extant tacoma building (1889).

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive.