Architect Frederick C. Raeder, who was born and educated in Coblenz, Germany, came to St. Louis in 1867. He designed this building for the Christian Peper Tobacco Company in 1873-74. The cast-iron facade is of exceptional quality.

Restoration of this building led to the renovation of the entire Laclede's Landing area. Located on the site of the Missouri Hotel, where Missouri's legislature first met, the building's first floor now serves as a restaurant.