urbanSTL

Personally, I think that the Mercantile Library building could be redeveloped into a very cool loft-style office building with first-floor retail. I realize that the vast majority of the momentum downtown is coming from residential development, but office space is not something that should be ignored. It seems like most of the loft buildings that include a small office component have been able to lease it quickly, so I think there is a market for trendy/modern office space. I wonder if Pyramid has considered that at all - such space could be developed concurrently with the St. Louis Centre redevelopment.

Sniba Snaba wrote:

Prophett wrote:This project has been delayed until the completion of STL.Center.

Is the completion of the STL Center underway? Is there a timeline for completion and is it seriously years from today? Have any renovations began? Pardon my ignorance but I simply do not know and am interested in how this bldg would be impacted by the STL Center renovations.

Basically the rep stated that the Arcade project was on hold untill the completion of the STL-Center. Thats all I got.

Sniba Snaba wrote:

Prophett wrote:This project has been delayed until the completion of STL.Center.

Is the completion of the STL Center underway? Is there a timeline for completion and is it seriously years from today? Have any renovations began? Pardon my ignorance but I simply do not know and am interested in how this bldg would be impacted by the STL Center renovations.

It hasn't started yet - I think they're waiting for all the tenant leases to expire. I do know that they're shooting to start demolishing the skybridge after the first of the year.

This is frustrating. For whatever reason, this is my favorite building downtown. I think mainly because this was an early example of mixed use buildings that everyone is trying to assemble now through renovation or new construction. I went through the arcade portion a couple of months ago on the Landmarks tour (sorry, I forgot my camera) and the shopping arcade is amazing! This building, when finished, will rival most other projects downtown. To hear it will be delayed further is disappointing. I know that the SLC must get done, but would it be possible for Pyramid to partner with another developer(s)? On the website for SLC, it appears that Spinnaker is working with Pyramid on SLC. The Heart of Downtown, the Old Post Office District, needs this project to make the area complete.

The information given to Prophett is incorrect! Construction at the Arcade building will happen almost simultaneously with 600 Washington (St. Louis Centre). In fact it is likely that construction at the Arcade will begin a few months prior to construction at 600 Washington. Admittedly the Arcade project has experienced some delays, mostly due to a major change in the program from a hotel and condos to condos, apartments, and two floors of office. We are in the design development phase of the architectural plans, and hopefully preparations to start the selective interior demolition work should begin this fall or early winter.

Thanks for the update right from the source.

Good news. I'm glad that the project will be going on sooner than expected.

Sweet. Glad to hear that this hasn't been shelved for 6+ years.

aha! a false prophet ....

sorry - been playing too much halo. (and no offense prophet - your contributions are greatly appreciated)

UrbanArchStl wrote:The information given to Prophett is incorrect! Construction at the Arcade building will happen almost simultaneously with 600 Washington (St. Louis Centre). In fact it is likely that construction at the Arcade will begin a few months prior to construction at 600 Washington. Admittedly the Arcade project has experienced some delays, mostly due to a major change in the program from a hotel and condos to condos, apartments, and two floors of office. We are in the design development phase of the architectural plans, and hopefully preparations to start the selective interior demolition work should begin this fall or early winter.

excellent, what are the finalized plans for this building? so construction will begin in the next few months? I have strong ties to this building, I can't wait for things to begin...!

Over the last couple of days I have seen some workmen inside the Arcade Building and lights on in there. There is also a hose running inside from a hydrant on the north side of Olive St. And, last week I saw an Elevator company truck outside for a couple of days. Does this mean work is starting on the building?



MikeL

Six months for Asbestos removal? Wow.

^

I'm not surprised! The arcade/wright is an enormous building built in the 1920's. Nearly every room in the entire building has asbestos ceiling tiles and pigeon crap everywhere. Just watch your step on the stairs, many of them are missing. How I wish I had the camera with all the pics I took in that place... #-o

According to today's Business Journal, construction is underway. The article also mentions that Pyramid plans to start construction this year on the Mercantile Library Building, One City Centre, the Dillard's Building and the Jefferson Arms.

No problemo. I want people to know that the photo (posted above in the quote) is of the Mercantile Library - not The Arcade-Wright building.

Wow. That's criminal. That's as bad as tearing it down. Why would anyone do such a thing? "How about we take down everything interesting about this building and reclad it with flat, colorless panels." ??

Looking at the "before" and "after" shots, I guess it's possible that the original facade could still be in place. The beautiful cornice at the top would have to be completely recreated though.



If you look just to the left of the "before" picture, you'll see a smaller building that also fell victim to the reclad job. Perhaps that one would stand a better chance of being restored?

Though I like the look of the old building, I think the Mercantile is one of the better looking mid-century re-claddings. One of the worst, and hence most dramatic rebirths, was the Post-Dispatch turned Board of Elections. Of those still around Downtown, I think 1015 Locust is now among the worst. And ironically, I wish the Alverne across the street had been re-clad instead.

southslider wrote:Though I like the look of the old building, I think the Mercantile is one of the better looking mid-century re-claddings. One of the worst, and hence most dramatic rebirths, was the Post-Dispatch turned Board of Elections. Of those still around Downtown, I think 1015 Locust is now among the worst. And ironically, I wish the Alverne across the street had been re-clad instead.

Yeah, I'd put the Mercantile Library building in the same class as the Farm & Home Savings building - with a little updating, they could be sleek, cool, modern space. I'd maybe paint the orange brick at the top of the Mercantile Library - white or some other light shade.



The Millennium Center on Olive (the building with the Starbucks) is a good example of what 1015 Locust could look like with better cladding. It underwent a facelift a few years ago and is now a pretty sharp-looking building.

I found out last night that a family member has a basement full of old arcade stuff. I'm going to go snoop around down there sometime this week. I'm especially interested in a box full of old printing press plates, one of which is of the A/W itself.