I've seen a work crew, several trucks and a dumpster there yesterday and today. I don't think any plans have been announced- possibly it's just some much-needed site cleanup in hopes of attracting those $12-$14/square foot tenants. Either way, it's good to see it getting some attention.
- 2,430
^ not sure what the plan is but the work site is pretty active.
unfortunately the 3826 Olive building is under demo but it does look like workers are taking care to preserve the brick. Hopefully a quality project comes to the barren block soon.
unfortunately the 3826 Olive building is under demo but it does look like workers are taking care to preserve the brick. Hopefully a quality project comes to the barren block soon.
^The 3826 building is being dismantled brick-by-brick, and all the old wood etc. is being salvaged by ReFab. It's been a very slow process; with all the labor involved, it's hard to believe they can make a buck off the project.
http://www.refabstl.org/
http://www.refabstl.org/
They are a not-for-profit that puts ex-cons back to work. Awesome stuff they are doing, I have bought quite a bit of material and cool stuff from them.framer wrote: ↑May 10, 2018^The 3826 building is being dismantled brick-by-brick, and all the old wood etc. is being salvaged by ReFab. It's been a very slow process; with all the labor involved, it's hard to believe they can make a buck off the project.
http://www.refabstl.org/
- 10K
It's great to see Grand Center continuing to tear down buildings for no apparent purpose.
SLU is soooooo good for Saint Louisdebaliviere wrote: ↑May 10, 2018It's great to see Grand Center continuing to tear down buildings for no apparent purpose.
Hmmm...nearly every tree on this block has been cut down. Anyone know what's up? Ash Borer?
- 2,068
Yep - I heard they are in town to cut down all of the ash borers, I saw a few go down in FPSE already, more coming. My wife heard from one of the workers they have a contract to cut down a couple thousand of them.
- 19
More demolition on the way for this block - demo permits have been filed for 3821 and 3737 Olive. 3737 Olive is a one-story cinder block and corrugated metal warehouse; 3821 is an older two-story brick and glass storefront.
With these two buildings gone, the block will be almost entirely empty except for 3842 (which has been getting a lot of work done to it - still a long way to go, though) and the Kappa League building. I have yet to hear any word on what, if anything, is the plan for this block post-demo.
With these two buildings gone, the block will be almost entirely empty except for 3842 (which has been getting a lot of work done to it - still a long way to go, though) and the Kappa League building. I have yet to hear any word on what, if anything, is the plan for this block post-demo.
Now that this seems to be a real thing, can we somehow merge the two threads?
Notice up in front of the Wolfner building for a public hearing on interior renovations for "fitness center/residential".
- 19
Demolition of the rear portion of the Wolfner started this week, and it is mostly down already.
- 3
whats happening is modern renovation is happening to the whole block and there's going to be a modern apartment building and modern houses ( likes the ones in la ) from some of the best architects from around the world
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/30 ... t#stream/0
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/30 ... t#stream/0
the people who are doing the project are not for profit ,they will not be making money off it
the Pulitzer foundation and Owen development are doing it
the Pulitzer foundation and Owen development are doing it
30M Development In St. Louis' Grand Center To Bring Homes To Arts District
When finished, the development will include 27 single-family homes and a building with 35 apartments, mixed between one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Developers plan to begin construction on four model homes, each designed by a different architect, in the fall.
Steve Trampe of Owen Development and James Maloney, manager of the Pulitzer Family Office, join Pulitzer as principal developers of the project, known as Olive West. It will be located on Olive Street between North Spring Street and Vandeventer Avenue.
Seven accomplished architects have been recruited to design elements of the project. That will ensure a mix of styles that will complement existing buildings in the neighborhood, Trampe said.
Participating architects include Tatiana Bilbao of Mexico City, who is creating one of the four customizable home designs; Michael Maltzan of Los Angeles, who is designing the apartment building, and New York City-based firm MOS Architects, which is designing another of the home styles.
“How do you meld art with economics? We are trying to meld art architecture with [real estate] development, and they are not natural partners,” Trampe said. “There won’t be another one of these projects in St. Louis. I don’t know that there’s another one in the country.”
Prices for the homes will begin at $350,000.
The only building now standing on the site is a boarded-up structure known as the Wolfner Building, which was built by Bell Telephone in 1898 and once housed the Henry L. Wolfner Library for the Blind, the first facility of its kind in the U.S.
![]()
Developers are preserving the Italian Renaissance facade of the Wolfner Building, which will connect to a clubhouse for development residents.
The city’s Historic Preservation Commission voted in August 2018 to allow the Olive West developers to restore and preserve the Wolfner Building’s Italian Renaissance facade but demolish its less architecturally significant rear portion. The building will be part of a clubhouse area for residents.
The site is otherwise occupied by vacant lots and lined with a crumbling sidewalk. It sits a few minutes’ walk from the Contemporary Art Museum, the Sheldon and other attractions.
The Grand Center Arts District has been revitalized over the past two decades, with rehabilitations of historic buildings and the addition of structures like the home of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, designed by noted Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Though it houses several apartment buildings largely catering to students of nearby St. Louis University, Grand Center does not feature many one-family homes.
“This project will help in fostering that more well-rounded neighborhood development in Grand Center, which is very exciting,” said Daniel Krasnoff, director of the city’s Cultural Resources Office, which is part of the planning department.
![]()
A preliminary image of a home designed by noted Mexico City architect Tatiana Bilbao.
Credit Olive West Properties, LLC
Much of the neighborhood’s commercial activity is centered on patrons of attractions like the Pulitzer, CAM, the Fox Theatre and the Sheldon.
“When the theaters are active, it’s a bustling area,” Krasnoff said. “Having that residential population that is not student-based will, over time, increase the variety of types of customers for the businesses, and that’s a win for the neighborhood.”
Trampe said he hopes to have the four model homes completed by early next summer. Construction on the apartment building will begin in the spring.
Developers say they will not make any money on the project.
“The goal is really to build something that’s really significant and lasting and that will have the same effect that the Fox Theatre and Powell Hall do within Grand Center,” Trampe said.
![]()
Developers plan 27 single-family homes and a 35-unit apartment building for a nearly empty block of Olive Street in Grand Center. Only one building is currently standing on the 5.2-acre site.
Jeremy D. Goodwin | St. Louis Public Radio
Developers plan 27 single-family homes and a 35-unit apartment building for a nearly empty block of Olive Street in Grand Center. Only one building is currently standing on the 5.2-acre site. When finished, the development will include 27 single-family homes and a building with 35 apartments, mixed between one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Developers plan to begin construction on four model homes, each designed by a different architect, in the fall.
Steve Trampe of Owen Development and James Maloney, manager of the Pulitzer Family Office, join Pulitzer as principal developers of the project, known as Olive West. It will be located on Olive Street between North Spring Street and Vandeventer Avenue.
Seven accomplished architects have been recruited to design elements of the project. That will ensure a mix of styles that will complement existing buildings in the neighborhood, Trampe said.
Participating architects include Tatiana Bilbao of Mexico City, who is creating one of the four customizable home designs; Michael Maltzan of Los Angeles, who is designing the apartment building, and New York City-based firm MOS Architects, which is designing another of the home styles.
“How do you meld art with economics? We are trying to meld art architecture with [real estate] development, and they are not natural partners,” Trampe said. “There won’t be another one of these projects in St. Louis. I don’t know that there’s another one in the country.”
Prices for the homes will begin at $350,000.
The only building now standing on the site is a boarded-up structure known as the Wolfner Building, which was built by Bell Telephone in 1898 and once housed the Henry L. Wolfner Library for the Blind, the first facility of its kind in the U.S.
Developers are preserving the Italian Renaissance facade of the Wolfner Building, which will connect to a clubhouse for development residents. The city’s Historic Preservation Commission voted in August 2018 to allow the Olive West developers to restore and preserve the Wolfner Building’s Italian Renaissance facade but demolish its less architecturally significant rear portion. The building will be part of a clubhouse area for residents.
The site is otherwise occupied by vacant lots and lined with a crumbling sidewalk. It sits a few minutes’ walk from the Contemporary Art Museum, the Sheldon and other attractions.
The Grand Center Arts District has been revitalized over the past two decades, with rehabilitations of historic buildings and the addition of structures like the home of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, designed by noted Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Though it houses several apartment buildings largely catering to students of nearby St. Louis University, Grand Center does not feature many one-family homes.
“This project will help in fostering that more well-rounded neighborhood development in Grand Center, which is very exciting,” said Daniel Krasnoff, director of the city’s Cultural Resources Office, which is part of the planning department.
A preliminary image of a home designed by noted Mexico City architect Tatiana Bilbao.Credit Olive West Properties, LLC
Much of the neighborhood’s commercial activity is centered on patrons of attractions like the Pulitzer, CAM, the Fox Theatre and the Sheldon.
“When the theaters are active, it’s a bustling area,” Krasnoff said. “Having that residential population that is not student-based will, over time, increase the variety of types of customers for the businesses, and that’s a win for the neighborhood.”
Trampe said he hopes to have the four model homes completed by early next summer. Construction on the apartment building will begin in the spring.
Developers say they will not make any money on the project.
“The goal is really to build something that’s really significant and lasting and that will have the same effect that the Fox Theatre and Powell Hall do within Grand Center,” Trampe said.
- 112
What happened to 3724 Olive, the Cuthbert house? Wasn't it slated to be moved?
