Fascinating photos. Thanks for posting! The Chemical Building has always intrigued me from as far back as I can remember. I, too, wish they'd retain the name.
Marmar wrote:Fascinating photos. Thanks for posting! The Chemical Building has always intrigued me from as far back as I can remember. I, too, wish they'd retain the name.
But...for people like me who never knew the building as the chemical building, the Alexa is a much more appealing sounding name. With such a push for green buildings, organic food, etc. I don't see how anyone could use the word "chemical" for a condo name that would sound pleasing. Do you? Any ideas??? The Chemical? ParkChemical? Chemical Village? The Chemical Tower? Chemicalhouse?
I have a good idea. The Chemical building. We don't always have to mess with names and come up with our "creative" marketing names.
It's no different than the Motor Lofts. I think the Chemical Building name has an edge to it. "I just moved into the Chemical Building"-- doesn't sound unappealing to me! In fact, it's kind of alluring. Such a storied local landmark need not rebrand itself with a contrived name... I think it dilutes its legacy.
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"The Alexa" sounds so lame. Why would they try to give a landmark building a soap opera slut's name?
Of course it's bad but I don't live there and I don't keep up, so it's just a question. I assume its being rehabbed.
This isn't Juice's fault, it's St. Louis'- that someone would question if a building as spectacular as the chemical would be torn down. We did lose the Century. but we've been down that path a few times...
I've walked this building floor to floor, it was truly a step back in time. Lots of jewelers used to be in this building, after being pushed out of the arcade. The back stairwell attached to the lobby is incredible. Imagine a building of this size (18 floors?) in 1895! That is still considered somewhat tall in st. louis, but over 110 years ago? This is one of downtown's best buildings.
^Exactly. When built, this was a major skyscraper.
dina, I understand your point. But you must remember that many St. Louisans are very familiar with the building. Perhaps newcomers might find the name a little quirky or even inappropriate, but it too is part of our history. I've known it as the Chemical Building (since my teens), as many St. Louisans have for over a century. I hope you see others and my point. (If the name were in some way offensive, then I'd support a name change.)
A rose by any other name is still a rose. (:
dina, I understand your point. But you must remember that many St. Louisans are very familiar with the building. Perhaps newcomers might find the name a little quirky or even inappropriate, but it too is part of our history. I've known it as the Chemical Building (since my teens), as many St. Louisans have for over a century. I hope you see others and my point. (If the name were in some way offensive, then I'd support a name change.)
A rose by any other name is still a rose. (:
I just wanted to say that the photos of this building are fascinating. They invoke an imagery in the mind, picturing the building's occupants putting everything down, going out to lunch, but never coming back. And then it just sat there...
To do list: Pick up watch from jewelery and watch repair store in the Chemical Building.
G*dda**it!!!
G*dda**it!!!
I'm surprised they haven't made much progress on it. I went on the loft tour in summer 05 or 06 and i had the opportunity to check it out. The 6th floor was the only one that they let anyone on but I thought they would of done something in the past year or two to the place. I hope they keep the name Chemical Building, besides Alexa sounds so generic and lame.
bpe235 wrote:How did it get the name "Chemical" anyway.
The building was named after the Chemical Bank. It was supposed to be the banks new headquaters, but for some reason the bank never moved in.
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I got a good look inside some floors in this building. No camera available. There is one floor where all the windows look out along the row of lions heads on the bldg next door. That was incredible. The one finished unit I saw looked great.