moving along...
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It's good to see that they're making some progress!
It will be interesting to see what this development does for So. Grand. I love the area a few blocks South of this development, but the area immediately surrounding it can use some sprucing up. It's happening, though... just a few years ago a lot of those buildings were boarded up, but now there are some new businesses coming back to the area.
I hate to admit that there was a time when I was thrilled to see Cecil Whittaker's open on Grand (I think it's Cecil's anyway) because was better than an abandoned building!
It will be interesting to see what this development does for So. Grand. I love the area a few blocks South of this development, but the area immediately surrounding it can use some sprucing up. It's happening, though... just a few years ago a lot of those buildings were boarded up, but now there are some new businesses coming back to the area.
I hate to admit that there was a time when I was thrilled to see Cecil Whittaker's open on Grand (I think it's Cecil's anyway) because was better than an abandoned building!
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I've always loved this development. I was half tempted to wait on my home purchase and grab one ...
The rendering is deceptive because it shows the project seen from the gates of Compton Heights, and across Grand. This is sprouting up nicely, and I'm looking forward to it being finished. We are really at a point where so many parts of the city are moving forward at a good rate, and it's creating a buzz around the Metro Area.
Whoever is in charge of the projects thread, must have their hands full these days.
Whoever is in charge of the projects thread, must have their hands full these days.
Sad news... the project burned to the ground overnight:
http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.a ... ryid=95841
http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.a ... ryid=95841
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OMG- this is sad news indeed. Obviously it's way too early to speculate, but I certainly hope the developers will rebuild. I especially feel for the people who had reservations for a condo there. This is a huge setback for a promising development. 
Sad news, indeed! I don't know how these things work, but wouldn't they be insured against this type of thing? This project makes so much sense, I don't see how they could not rebuild. But, the delay is still frustrating for all, especially for those with reservations.
Did anybody see the news report? (I tried to watch the video on the link, but I got an error message). Do they have any idea what may have caused the fire?
I can't imagine what it would be like to turn on the TV and see the condo I reserved going up in flames! It's so sad.
I can't imagine what it would be like to turn on the TV and see the condo I reserved going up in flames! It's so sad.
What's most unsettling is that the market is getting tighter, and those with reserved units may not want to wait. It's a huge setback for this development. Even the best-case scenario would be months away. The fire dept. has to complete its investigation as to what sparked the flames, the insurance company has to assess the damage, the developer has to collect, the parcel has to be cleared, and the crews have to start from scratch. And that's only if they can hold on to the contracts that were already reserved. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this baby pulls through...
I have no doubt this project will rise from the ashes (sorry -- couldn't help it). There are lots of things that can start fires on construction sites so I think arson is unlikely. I magine, though, this will put them a good 4 months behind. I have been watching the construction closely and while the walls have all gone up in only the last 6 weeks or so, they were premanufactured panels that, like the windows, will have to be reordered with presumably a sizable (2-3 months at least) lead time. I was very excited about this project and I remain exceedingly optimistic that it will soon be back on track.
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On the news this morning they said the project was insured around $4 million and that the developers were going to rebuild. Someone saw the fire around 4 AM and called the FD. It got so intense there were 4 alarms and a house next door also caught on fire.
Link to Channel 4 story
Link to Channel 4 story
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Unfortunate. In the case of a fire like this, will the foundation at least be re-usable?
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Wow. I can't believe the entire complex was destroyed like that. Move-in's were originally scheduled for September.
Here is another story that confirms plans to rebuild.
Here is another story that confirms plans to rebuild.
Fire destroys under-construction condos in south St. Louis
Tom Weber, KWMU
ST. LOUIS, MO (2006-04-27) No one was hurt this morning, but a mult-million dollar condo development in south St. Louis was destroyed by a four-alarm fire.
The building is a total loss, but developer Ken Neurenberger said he plans to rebuild, once insurance companies are called. He said at least eight of the units had already been sold, and tenants were to have moved in as early as September.
>>> read more
DeBaliviere wrote:Unfortunate. In the case of a fire like this, will the foundation at least be re-usable?
The foundation will most likely be usable. Intense heat can damage conrete but I seriously doubt that is the case here. They will obviously need to test the foundation to know for sure.
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I too feel for those planning to move here. Hopefully, with the modular construction methods employed at this site, it can be a quick recovery. Plus, maybe the coverage of this event will bring attention to how strong the housing demand is in the City, many learning for the first time that high-end new construction is being built in the City outside the central corridor. And in the future, the media should do a follow-up story when this project opens, showing how our City and its many new developments overcomes events like this.
As soon as I heard a fire in an under construction condo building I knew it was this. Hopefully like has been said they can have a quick recovery. If the developer has already expressed the intent to rebuild, I have no doubt that he will.
I also heard that there was no electric connected to the building, so I have a strong suspicion of arson. I could be wrong, but soething just doesn't seem right.
I also heard that there was no electric connected to the building, so I have a strong suspicion of arson. I could be wrong, but soething just doesn't seem right.
southslider wrote: And in the future, the media should do a follow-up story when this project opens, showing how our City and its many new developments overcomes events like this.
Umm, that'd be a positive story about the city. You do watch the news, right?
I'm amazed at the local media's ability to ignore everything positive that's going on around them in the city. Maybe because they put blinders on during their commute.
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This is really horrible, but I am relived to here that the developers want to rebuild.
I took a slightly out of the way route to class today so that I ould drive by. There is only a little of the struture standing at the southern edge. The rest is just charred wood. People in Fire Department coats and probably insurance people were walking aroun on the irst floor. Southbound Grand remains closed and L&L Wrecking has 2 dump trucks, a backhoe, and a bobcat on site. When I was at I-44 and Grand an excavator came off the highway to go down to the site. Looks like they are going to try to clear the debris quickly.
Unbelievable! I actually drove by the site today just to check out the progress. I had no idea it had burnt down the night before. What a shock when I saw it. That must have been one hell of a bonfire!
This is just horrible. I logged onto STLtoday.com yesterday afternoon and saw the news. As a S. Grand resident, this is extremely dissappointing. I was looking forward to the site opening in the fall.
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I heard from a friend that this developer (woman I think) had another of her projects at a similar point of completion burn down as well...
Sounds fishy...
Just word of mouth, though.
Sounds fishy...
Just word of mouth, though.
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TheWayoftheArch wrote:I heard from a friend that this developer (woman I think) had another of her projects at a similar point of completion burn down as well...
I think your friend is referring to the Wireworks Lofts in Lafayette Square.
The developer of this project is Ken Nuernberger, who along with Parkside Development Corp., developed the Wireworks Lofts. The fire that nearly destoryed that project ended up adding about $1.5 million to the cost of that project.
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Well, they finshed that one, so I expect we'll see this one completed yet, eh?