The site along Ervay Street between Main and Commerce previously housed the landmark Post Office building constructed in 1889 which featured a prominent clock tower and gingerbread architecture.

After abandonment, it was the subject of rumors, plans and schemes, but by 1936, it had been declared a liability by local business leaders and was razed.

[7] The Mercantile National Bank Building was completed in 1943 and was the only major skyscraper constructed during World War II.

The Mercantile Securities Building was constructed immediately east of the main tower in 1949 and was 14 stories tall, including 213,270 square feet (19,813 m2) of space.

The Mercantile Continental Building was built in 1948 across Commerce Street to serve the growing bank's parking and office space needs.

The building connected the original complex to the Dallas Pedestrian Network to the north with a new underground walkway to the Securities Annex.

In 1985, Cadillac Fairview, developer of Toronto's Eaton Centre, proposed renovating the complex into a 140,000-square-foot (13,000 m2) retail center, connecting adjacent anchors Neiman Marcus and Joske's.

The modernist curtain wall on the base was removed, revealing its original exterior and balconies were added to the east façade, although most of the interior design elements were lost during years of renovation.

A pool and plaza were added for the residents of Mercantile Place, which also includes the historic Wilson Building in an adjacent block.

[12] The owner will receive US$5 million from the city to convert the neighboring Continental Building into 150 additional residential units.

A star-shaped light at the spire's top glows green when weather forecast is fair and red when it's inclement.

[13] During the 1950s building expansions, substantial mosaics by artist Millard Sheets were fabricated in Venice and installed throughout the lobbies, stairways and executive offices.

During the demolition and renovation process, historical preservationists called for the removal of dozens of mosaics, stained glass pieces, and enamel artwork.

[14] Dallas investor and developer Timothy Headington stepped up with the estimated $270,000 needed to preserve and store the artwork.

[15] Smaller decorative elements have been redisplayed in public areas of the renovated building while the larger pieces remain in storage.