The Equitable Building was sold today at a Polk County sheriff’s sale for $2.8 million. The winning bid was tendered by Great Southern Bank.

On April 30, 2009, Vantus Bank, which last September was closed by federal regulators and reopened under the ownership of Springfield, Mo.-based Great Southern, filed for foreclosure on the 97,000-square-foot building at 604 Locust St.

The sale, which excluded four units, was made to satisfy a $9,853,830.86 judgment against developer Bob Knapp and Equitable LP, the Equitable Building’s former owners, for a loan that was in default.

In April 2009, Kurt Mumm of Ruhl & Ruhl Commercial Co. was appointed receiver of the 18-story building, which was constructed in 1923.

“There have been a number of interested parties that have inquired about it during the course of the receivership,” he said. “Some people view getting through the sheriff’s sale as the next step in the process.”

Mumm, who will continue as the property’s receiver until the bank discharges him, said Great Southern has no interest in owning the property for an extended period of time.

“They are in the business of lending money, not owning real estate,” he said.

Knapp purchased the downtown landmark in 2005 for $5 million. The Equitable Building has an assessed value of $2,826,000.

Great Southern also acquired the building’s parking garage with a bid of $800,000.