urbanSTL

Fantastic pics thank you! Incredible to see the different construction methods. I wonder how one complex can afford to be full concrete while the other is wood frame.


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^ One has a lot more car storage, and height, which generally necessitates more concrete. 

Recent shot I took from inside Ikea of Marshall in context with Vande streetscape.

Standard and the Marshall are ugly buildings, but in context, it at least looks urban and that’s a positive. If it wasn’t for the Grand Center oldies rising above in the background, this would unfortunately look like a picture of Austin or Charlotte. But there is also a really awesome rehabilitated industrial factory behind these buildings that you don’t see, so not all bad.

I also thought they were going blue accents on the Marshall for SLU but now see they are promoting being housing for both WashU and SLU and I guess went with red accents?

It all really does fill in the area nicely despite any aesthetic shortcomings, and will even more with the new proposal on the other corner.  Honestly, the thing that stands out to me the most in a bad way is the garage on the Foundry apartment building at night.  Thrilled for the apartments and retail, but it would go a long way if they could do something to mask that a bit more.  The lighting inside is just so bright and egregious at night, I think.

Anyways, to stay on topic, can't wait for this project to finish up and get some more people in the area.

Honestly, built form is just as important as the general aesthetics of a building. Obviously the aesthetics could be much better, but all you have to do is visit cities like NYC, DC, SF, etc. and you will see a bunch of ugly buildings, but in the right form based context they are not nearly as offensive.