urbanSTL

Gateway City wrote:I really just do not understand why something this ugly ever even got off the drawing board. The blueprints should have been thrown in the trash. It is good that it is introducing more residents to the area, but there is still no excuse at all for its appearance. I honestly do believe it is the ugliest residential development built in the City this decade.

Agreed 100%. But the developer is not to blame. The committee that approved the project and said, "Yeah! It looks GREAT!" is really at fault. Somehow, it would make me feel better if WUMCRC would at least acknowledge that the design sucks and pledge to not let it happen again. I know it's beating a dead horse, but I despise this monstrosity, and I really can't believe Phase II is actually being built without any design tweaks. I also think it's disingenuous to market it as being in the Central West End, when it is clearly not. If the developers are so proud to be a part of revitalizing FPSE, they should proudly proclaim it.

Right. Speaking with some people who approved the project, they privately acknowledge that it wouldn't be approved today, but when it came to them several proposals had failed and there wasn't a lot on the horizon. But yes, if one wants to know why some in FPSE and city have issues with the development beyond the design, check out the marketing and look into millions of dollars in tax abatement that was granted after construction started and the rents that were increased after the tax abatement request.

http://nextstl.com/central-corridor/ave ... ummer-2013

^ Approved and financed, I believe, but site is currently being used for new I-64/Tower Grove ramp and other overpass construction staging.

framer wrote:By the way, shouldn't this be under "Residential"?

I believe Alex looked at the renderings and placed it under "Projects" because that's what it'll look like in five years.

^ Ha. Maybe. I'd move it, but I'm no longer a moderator here.

^ Phase II was approved before any of the feedback could reach them. (Let's be honest, it would have been ignored anyway)

so the Aventura's little siblings down the street at Chouteau and Tower Grove are almost complete. The sign says that little piece of heaven of 2 bdrms, 2.5 baths and 2 car garage can be yours for just $1,650 a month.

Well, I own a 2,000 sf 3br 1.5ba home with a 2.5 car garage less than two blocks from here. Current rent = $1,200/mo. It's nice and I'd prefer to sell it, but if I can get $1,650 I'll become an FPSE slumlord in a heartbeat.

roger wyoming II wrote:so the Aventura's little siblings down the street at Chouteau and Tower Grove are almost complete. The sign says that little piece of heaven of 2 bdrms, 2.5 baths and 2 car garage can be yours for just $1,650 a month.

Correction: Starting at $1,600, this little piece of paradise can be yours!

Man this is going up fast.

^ My catchphrase for this soul-sucker is "The Aventura, for those with bad taste and good credit!"

erina wrote:I haven't been eastbound on 40 in a long time and just saw this today. Holy crap is it hideous. I give it 5 years before it's completely trashed and run down. Of all the interesting and affordable apartment stock in the city, why on earth would anyone pick this suburban monstrosity? It's not going to age well.

I drive by The Aventura twice a day and every time it ticks me off.

Newstead is just depressing.... the ugly billboards just add to the misery.