Commerce Trust Building is a 17-story tower built for Kansas City Missouri's biggest bank Commerce Bancshares in 1906 and was Kansas City's second skyscraper, following the New York Life building.It has facade of red granite and white terra cotta tiles and was Missouri's tallest building when it opened.Formerly on the site was the home of the Kansas City Journal which in turn was taken over by Commerce. Harry Truman worked in the predecessor building.Its architect Jarvis Hunt also designed Union Station and the headquarters of the Kansas City Star. The construction company was the George A. Fuller Company which built the Flatiron Building in the New York City and as a company continues to build major skyscrapers around the world.In 1965 Commerce built a larger adjoining building Commerce Tower but has continued to use the original building.In 2004 Commerce Bancshares conducted a $48 million renovation of the building expanding its square footage to 300000sqft by filling in the light court between the fourth and 15th floors.Part of the renovation also included illuminating the lobby's ornate glass ceiling to replicate natural sunlight.
