"The Old Laclede Gas and Light Company Building, 1017 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri, is architecturally significant as a largely unaltered early 20th century skyscraper, particularly noteworthy from its commanding and graceful design achieved through subtle contrasts of colors ad simply-stated classical and Renaissance forms. Inasmuch as the building presents thorough going testimony concerning the architectural classicism, it yields important information concerning academicism in American architecture. The powerful treatment of the building´s base and attic with Renaissance-inspired and classicizing features concisely illustrates the academics´ use of historically-derived features in an inventive, yet disciplined manner to achieve original designs that build upon, rather than replicate, historical precedent." [From the nomination to the National Register of Historic Places as prepared by Jill Johnson, architectural historian, Historic Preservation Program, MO Department of Natural Resources, August, 1980.]