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COLUMBIA, MO. (AP) -- The oldest building in Columbia could soon be torn down and replaced by high-rise student apartments.

The Columbia Missourian reports a St. Louis developer is under contract to buy the Niedermeyer house in downtown at Tenth and Cherry streets in March. The developer has also filed a city permit request to raze the 175-year-old building.

Columbia's Historic Preservation Commission will review the permit application and make a recommendation to city officials.

The three-story building has been used as private student housing since 1921 but was previously an all-girls private school, a prominent hotel and a university classroom.

A city official says Collegiate Housing Partners is considering a building as tall as 15 stories. That would be six stories higher than the Tiger Hotel, downtown's tallest building.

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