Mercantile National Bank Building (Dallas, Texas)

 skyscraper, apartment building

The Mercantile National Bank Building, nicknamed The Merc, is a skyscraper located in the Main Street District in downtown Dallas, Texas, United States. The 31-story, 523 ft (159.4 m) building was constructed from 1941-1943 and was the only major skyscraper in the United States built during World War II, due to a shortage and restrictions on building materials.

The building served as the headquarters of Mercantile National Bank, later MCorp Bank, until 1989. Its architect was Walter W. Ahlschlager. The building has a series of setbacks that is crowned by an ornamental four-sided clock along with a decorative spire. The tower's steel had been prefabricated and was given a special waiver from the government. The federal government took 10 floors to hold offices for various war agencies. In 1947, an illuminated tower, which was used by KERA for radio broadcasts, was added on top of the building. In 1958, the tower was replaced by the current illumination tower and clock. In the 1960s, the original stone facade at the base was covered by a modernist curtain wall facade. The Merc was the tallest building in Dallas and Texas from 1943 until 1954. The 31-floor building has a roof height of 430 ft (131 m). Including the 115 ft (35 m) ornamental spire is included, the total height is 545 ft (166 m). It also has a floor area of 359,348 sq ft (33,385 sq m). Three additions to the east of the building were completed in 1949, 1954, and 1972. The building and its annexes became vacant in 1993.

Forest City Enterprises received $60,500,000 to renovate the Mercantile National Bank Building. From 2006 to 2009, the original building was converted into 225 apartments with ground-floor retail. The three additions were demolished in 2006 and replaced with a 15-storey residential building. The curtain wall at the base was removed revealing the original facade and balconies were added to the east facade.

1704 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75201-4343
Tel: (888) 703-1825
Tel: (214) 760-8430‎
Fax: (214) 760-7312‎
www.mercdallas.com/