Constructed between 1910 - 1921, the buildings illustrate a new direction in St Louis Commercial design as it relinquished turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts classicism for the functional aesthetics of the Chicago Commercial Style. The extensive use of white terra cotta on the buildings sets them apart as a unique group in downtown St Louis and illustrates the adaptability of the material to the smooth-surfaced, clean efficient image of modernity which was being sought at the time.

The Olive Street Terra Cotta District is a group of four early 20th century commercial buildings all standing on the south side of the 600 block of Olive Street in the heart of St Louis' Central Business District. Constructed between 1910-1921 for office and retail use, the buildings are four and six stories high and front one to four bays on Olive Street. They feature steel or reinforced concrete frames with white terra cotta sheathed facades articulated in variants of the Chicago Commercial style. The buildings have survived in remarkably good condition with alterations generally confined to street level storefronts. The District streetscape is interrupted by two intrusions, a parking garage and a small commercial building. - NRHP Inventory Nomination Form April 3 1985

Buildings include: 600-06, 608 , 610, 612, 614, 620 and 622 Olive Street