Gill Building (old Sen Thai bldg) - 222 N 7th Street

debaliviere · PostJan 13, 2006#12006-01-13T19:28+00:00

The building that used to house Sen Thai, just across the street from the downtown Famous-Barr on Olive, now has boards over several of the windows. I don't know if that means that work is being done on it or if it just had a few broken windows.

I would love to see Federated sell it to a developer - it's such a cool little building.

gerwitz · PostJan 13, 2006#22006-01-13T21:14+00:00

I've heard that's the result of some drunk running into the building.

The salon in 705 Olive has made overtures towards moving into that building, but apparently it's been embroiled in legal spats. I know May Co. and the owner engaged in a lot of namecalling, maybe Federated will help resolve things.

debaliviere · PostJan 13, 2006#32006-01-13T21:40+00:00

Wow! Thanks for the info - you always seem to know the inside scoop.

705 Olive is another interesting building. A good chunk of its retail space has been vacant for a while. I'm guessing that there used to be a jewelry store there a few years ago as there are some display cases built into the wall on the 7th Street side.

bprop · PostJan 14, 2006#42006-01-14T00:02+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:The building that used to house Sen Thai, just across the street from the downtown Famous-Barr on Olive, now has boards over several of the windows. I don't know if that means that work is being done on it or if it just had a few broken windows.

I would love to see Federated sell it to a developer - it's such a cool little building.

Does Federated own it? I thought it was shut down by its owner because May wouldn't allow him to use their stairs and sprinkler water supply. But I never thought he sold it to them, out of spite. In fact, he still has the "There's nothing better than a good neighbor, and nothing worse than a badone" in the window facing Famous.

suburban lou · PostJan 14, 2006#52006-01-14T00:12+00:00

It is the only building left from the Olive Street Terra Cotta historic District the other buildings where torn down in the mid 80s for the famous garage,

Property info

marc buxton · PostJan 18, 2006#62006-01-18T11:47+00:00

Jack Randall. Wow. Developed Randall Gallery downtown and thought he moved to Chicago. Last I heard he also owned the power building on 14th just north of Washington (a very unique building in the Wash Ave district that begs to be a nightclub).

ecoabsence · PostJan 20, 2006#72006-01-20T18:05+00:00

Here's the story:

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/issues/2 ... oader.html

Shame on May and on the city for letting this happen!

marc buxton · PostJan 21, 2006#82006-01-21T20:50+00:00

I had the chance to meet Jack in the mid-90's and really felt he was a genuine and sincere guy. Considering the prices of buildings downtown right now (Gus just let go of a similarly sized building for nearly three times what Randall was offered), this is a complete injustice.

buckethead · PostJan 21, 2006#92006-01-21T22:36+00:00

marc buxton wrote:I had the chance to meet Jack in the mid-90's and really felt he was a genuine and sincere guy. Considering the prices of buildings downtown right now (Gus just let go of a similarly sized building for nearly three times what Randall was offered), this is a complete injustice.

That story is from 2002. You can't compare what similiar buildings are selling for now.

marc buxton · PostJan 23, 2006#102006-01-23T06:09+00:00

Didn't see the date. So, does Randall still own the building?

If so, has it been vacant for almost 4 years now?

What a crazy story.

ecoabsence · PostJan 24, 2006#112006-01-24T23:21+00:00

He still owns the building. Maybe Federated will be a friend by restoring fire escape access so that Randall can sell.

jeff707 · PostMar 17, 2008#122008-03-17T18:40+00:00

THere is a new for lease sign up in the window, but the "Hey! Senator Sudanforth, Whadabout Me?" sign is still up.

I've seen groups of people in suits go in and out of the building, too, recently. Realtors?

jlblues · PostMar 17, 2008#132008-03-17T20:23+00:00

^Or lawyers.

bonwich · PostMar 17, 2008#142008-03-17T21:11+00:00

Perhaps the decline in the occupancy of the former May Co. building has rescinded the cause that the fine May executives cited for barricading the space and summarily executing the business therein.

stl63101 · PostMar 18, 2008#152008-03-18T15:17+00:00

Word on the street is that there is a new owner and plans are being formulated for a couple of different uses for the building. One plan for the retail space, another for the basement space. Watch for announcements soon.

lamiaposta · PostApr 01, 2008#162008-04-01T15:55+00:00

The Gill building has been sold and the new owners already have leases in the works for the new tenants. Rather not disclose new owners names at the moment or the new tenants. Should be completely occupied by end of 2008 if not sooner. But will definitely be very exciting. When everyone completes their leases, the lease sign should come down soon. The new owners had their tenants lined up before they even closed on the building.

the central scrutinizer · PostApr 01, 2008#172008-04-01T15:58+00:00

I walked by there the other day. The old Sen Thai awning is still up! How long have they been gone from there - 10 years?

debaliviere · PostApr 01, 2008#182008-04-01T16:00+00:00

^

Niiiiiiiice.

bprop · PostApr 01, 2008#192008-04-01T20:53+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:I walked by there the other day. The old Sen Thai awning is still up! How long have they been gone from there - 10 years?

Six.

Old Man Trouble

May Company and the city wish Jack Randall would just go away -- he won't.

Published: June 12, 2002

Slapped with an emergency condemnation order from Building Commissioner Ron Smith two months ago.....

jeff707 · PostApr 01, 2008#202008-04-01T20:58+00:00

I would love for there to be a little corner bar there. Not an Irish Bar or a Sports Bar or a Bar and Grill (although food would be nice, I guess), but just a bar. Somewhere to get a beer after work. The Olive corridor is sorely lacking that. There is no bar within blocks and blocks that is not a part of a restaurant or hotel from 6th and Olive. That building would be perfect. Or the old post office spot at Olive and Broadway. Or the old thai buffet place that is now the Alexa's sales office.

debaliviere · PostApr 01, 2008#212008-04-01T21:01+00:00

Jeff707 wrote:I would love for there to be a little corner bar there. Not an Irish Bar or a Sports Bar or a Bar and Grill (although food would be nice, I guess), but just a bar. Somewhere to get a beer after work. The Olive corridor is sorely lacking that. There is no bar within blocks and blocks that is not a part of a restaurant or hotel from 6th and Olive. That building would be perfect. Or the old post office spot at Olive and Broadway. Or the old thai buffet place that is now the Alexa's sales office.

Love that idea. Seems like everyone opening a bar these days feels the need to have some sort of theme, and it often comes across as being phoney. My favorite is Kilkenny's in Clayton. Owned by the very Irish Del Pietro family.

lukethedrifter · PostApr 01, 2008#222008-04-01T21:32+00:00

bprop wrote:
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:I walked by there the other day. The old Sen Thai awning is still up! How long have they been gone from there - 10 years?

Six.

Old Man Trouble

May Company and the city wish Jack Randall would just go away -- he won't.

Published: June 12, 2002

Slapped with an emergency condemnation order from Building Commissioner Ron Smith two months ago.....

Jack Randall finally did go away.

Jack Randall, 80, formerly of Litchfield, died at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at his residence. He died on the 39th anniversary of his marriage to his beloved wife, Pearl Lawson Becker Randall.

lamiaposta · PostApr 01, 2008#232008-04-01T21:44+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:
Jeff707 wrote:I would love for there to be a little corner bar there. Not an Irish Bar or a Sports Bar or a Bar and Grill (although food would be nice, I guess), but just a bar. Somewhere to get a beer after work. The Olive corridor is sorely lacking that. There is no bar within blocks and blocks that is not a part of a restaurant or hotel from 6th and Olive. That building would be perfect. Or the old post office spot at Olive and Broadway. Or the old thai buffet place that is now the Alexa's sales office.

Love that idea. Seems like everyone opening a bar these days feels the need to have some sort of theme, and it often comes across as being phoney. My favorite is Kilkenny's in Clayton. Owned by the very Irish Del Pietro family.

Don't hold your breathe on the corner bar idea for either the Gill building or the corner spot for the Alexa. Both landlords are currently entertaining ideas that are a little more upscale than a local watering hole. Not that it is bad, just not what they have in mind. Wish I could tell more at the moment, but stay tuned.

jeff707 · PostApr 01, 2008#242008-04-01T22:36+00:00

Yeah, I wasn't really expecting that post to convince anybody... but I can still dream. Until I win the Lottery; then I can do.

innov8ion · PostApr 02, 2008#252008-04-02T00:04+00:00

Jeff707 wrote:Yeah, I wasn't really expecting that post to convince anybody... but I can still dream. Until I win the Lottery; then I can do.

Or you could always become a lawyer.