I can't find an existing thread about this imaginatively-named building. It's a gorgeous Louis Sullivan structure, even if the street level is a mess these days.



I'm opening the thread to point out there's finally some activity on the Olive & 7th corner storefront. Some serious demo is underway and building permits were just issued for $30k of renovation. Anyone know what's coming to this space?

wish they never took out the round windows and two story entrance archway.. look at old photos, incredible.

Strange this is near the top of the posts. I've been walking by this building for weeks, and was going to start a thread.



The building seems prime for conversion to residential units, and it is one of the most attractive buildings in downtown.



Hard to believe nothing major had been done yet.



$35,000 seems like a modest renovation of office or retail space, a new office tenant maybe?

The space used to be occupied by AT&T Wireless - I'm interested to hear who the new tenant will be.

I have been sending this e-mail around the country for the past year or so to newapapers and architectural critics. Only one has been interested and he ahsn't done an article on this building yet.

If you would like original photos of the building the missouri historical society has three nice closeup photos and then I have ine by George Elmslie that few if anyone in St. Louis has seen.

Its not possible to copy photos to this site form my computer. If you would like a copy of this rare photo e-mail me at ilrt66@hotmail.com



Mr. xxxxx,

Most people in St. Louis don't even know this building exists. The lower two floors on the exterior were heavily modified in the 1920's. With all the revitalization going on near the Union Trust its time to restore Louis Sullivan's masterpiece. I don't think it would be possible to restore the interior. This is the only existing Sullivan building I know of that is in an altered state.

The griffin's (or "bearcats" as sullivan called them)are interesting and most would think that they are not very sullivanesque but in fact they were used on at least three other Sullivan projects. The floors from the 3rd on up are in original condition and feature gargoyles and bearcat faces surrounded by Sullivan's typical scrolls and organic leaf like designs.

Mike Springer

P.S.

Please take a look at he attached photo. This was taken by G. Elmslie (prairie school architect, Later on a partner with Purcell in Minneapolis) he was the head draftsman for Adler & Sullivan after Frank Lloyd Wright was fired from the firm.

The Built St. Louis web site has a nice photo spread of the building in its current state:



http://www.builtstlouis.net/opos/705olive.html



but also includes an old photo of the original design:



http://www.builtstlouis.net/opos/images/705_olive.jpg .

The base of Sullivan's Bayard Building in New York was also altered, though not at bad as the Union Trust. It was restored a couple years ago. Would be great if someone could restore the base and replace all the windows in the building to match the old ones!

By the way we ignore the condition of all three Sullivan buildings.



Wainwright has is upper crown/cornice held on by exposed beams on the exterior of the building.



The Wainwright tomb's roof has major damage. My guess is that water has got into the joints in the concrete. Winter freeze, water and the weight of the dome has caused large cracks in the interior ceiling. The tile work has been damaged. If not taken care of in the next few years it will become a huge project to restore.



Unioin Trust lower two floors altered.



St. Nicolas Hotel now a parking lot.



P.S. have you visited the Sullivan collection at SIUE in edwardsville???

One of the items they have in storage is the entire front facade of the Albert Sullivan Home. Designed by Sullivan and Wright!! This was also the home of Louis Sullivan for three years or so. Its been at SIUE since the late 60's in storage.