Waterman–Smith Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterman-Smith Building |
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| General information | |
| Type | Office |
| Location | 61 Saint Joseph Street, Mobile, Alabama, United States |
| Coordinates | 30°41′35.2″N 88°2′32.51″W / 30.693111°N 88.0423639°W |
| Completed | 1947 |
| Opening | 1947 |
| Owner | Waterman-Smith I LLC |
| Height | |
| Roof | 230 feet (70 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 16 |
| Lifts/elevators | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Platt Roberts & Associates |
| Developer | Waterman Steamship Company |
The Waterman-Smith Building is a tall building, also known as a high-rise, located in Mobile, Alabama, a city in the United States. It was first built in 1947 by the Waterman Steamship Corporation. This building stands about 230 feet (70 meters) tall and has 16 floors. It is currently the 7th-tallest building in Mobile. The building is a good example of early modern architecture.
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History of the Waterman-Smith Building
The Waterman-Smith Building was an important construction for Mobile. It was the only tall building built in the city between 1929 and 1965. Before it was built, a seven-story hotel called the Bienville Hotel stood on the same spot. When it was finished in 1947, many people saw it as a sign that Mobile was entering a new, modern era. The building cost about $5 million to build at that time.
Changes in Ownership and Name
The building has had several names over the years. It was first known as the Waterman Building. The Waterman Steamship Corporation, which built it, grew to be a very large shipping company. In 1955, another company bought Waterman Steamship Corporation.
After this, the building was renamed "The Roberts Building." This was done to honor E.A. Roberts, who used to be the chairman of the Waterman company. Later, in 1973, the Roberts Building was sold to a company called Commercial Guaranty Banking Company. Over time, it was also known as the Southtrust Bank Building, the Wells-Fargo Building, and the Wachovia Building.
The Waterman Globe
One of the most interesting things about the building was the Waterman Globe. This was a huge globe, about 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide, made by a company called Rand McNally. It showed the world with the countries and borders as they were in the 1940s.
The globe was a popular attraction that many people came to see. However, it was taken out of the building in 1973 and taken apart. Luckily, it was later put back together and moved to the University of South Alabama's Mitchell Center in 1999, where it can still be seen today.
Recent Events and Ownership
In 2017, the Waterman-Smith Building was sold to a company called Waterman-Smith I, LLC. The sale price was $2.35 million. More recently, on June 11, 2025, Waterman-Smith I, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This is a legal process that allows a company to reorganize its business and debts while still operating.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in Mobile
