urbanSTL

DeBaliviere wrote:

East Loop poised to take off, again

By Margaret Gillerman

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

07/31/2009



ST. LOUIS — When architect Dave Mastin opened his office in the East Loop almost 10 years ago, acquaintances were tactful about the move — but that's it.



"When we got here, people thought we'd lost our minds," he said. "They'd say, 'That's adventurous. That's a significant commitment.'"



That was right before Joe Edwards opened the Pageant theater a few doors up Delmar Boulevard. Since then, the East Loop has become one of the region's hottest entertainment areas.



Mastin, president of the East Loop-Parkview Gardens Special Business District, says it's now a place where people want to invest.

Link

A couple questions:



Does anyone have an old rendering of the Shapiro site?



What's the status of the African American Cultural Center? The article mentions it, but doesn't really give any kind of an update.

DeBaliviere wrote:

East Loop poised to take off, again

By Margaret Gillerman

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

07/31/2009



ST. LOUIS — When architect Dave Mastin opened his office in the East Loop almost 10 years ago, acquaintances were tactful about the move — but that's it.



"When we got here, people thought we'd lost our minds," he said. "They'd say, 'That's adventurous. That's a significant commitment.'"



That was right before Joe Edwards opened the Pageant theater a few doors up Delmar Boulevard. Since then, the East Loop has become one of the region's hottest entertainment areas.



Mastin, president of the East Loop-Parkview Gardens Special Business District, says it's now a place where people want to invest.

Link

I know that the development hasn't happened yet, but isn't the fact that this portion of the Loop is filling in good evidence that a Loop Trolley isn't needed as a catalyst for further development?



http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/08 ... pment.html

Framer wrote:I see that they want them to do something with the top of the wall to discourage people from sitting there. Is it no longer OK to hang out with friends in the Loop?

They should make the wall itself a bench, then I'd have someplace to site while I'm waiting to get into Pi. Seriously, the loop needs more places where someone walking the strip and sit for a second.

They'll probably do one of these:

debaliviere wrote:

Wabash wrote:Thanks for the update and link to the SD Times article. It's great to see development in the Loop continue to creep east, but I'm disappointed by the plan for a sidewalk-fronting parking lot. There is definitely not a shortage of parking along this stretch of Delmar. It's too bad that a full step can't be taken forward without the half-step back.

Also, check out the historic storefront restoration done by the Palomino Lounge (SD Times link, page 2). It looks great!

The building he wants to demolish may be non-contributing, but its loss will really disrupt the street wall. Boo.

Why not use the vacant lot across the street for parking, temporarily, until a new building is constructed there?

I decry this demo for venue specific parking especially with the vacant lot DIRECTLY across the street(and IMO most persons going to the loop knows the parking situation, and an additional 23 spaces wont do much for parking woes during a pageant show). This building is IMO ideal for re-use. This building already has an exaggerated setback for patio dining and at one story tall could boast rooftop deck to boot. The garage doors could be some awesome kitsch that makes the loop and many of its venues unique. If they installed clear glass style garage doors in all 3 bays, the interior and exterior become one dynamic space. This building is FAR from non-contributing, and could be a real asset iwith some vision. Its not like its proposed demo is for a multi-story density increasing project...

Could always be worse. I remember years ago visiting friends who lived just north of Delmar a couple blocks, right near Eastgate, and hearing automatic rifle fire late Friday nights. Not that it came from the Loop, but it is what it is: a socioeconomically diverse urbanly-dense and not fully safe area. Hell, back in my high school days (first half of the 90s), I remember hearing about and seeing whores walking around some corners.

Back on topic: Is there any chance of finding another suitor for the building for constructive use before the current owner starts the demo? Anyone know anyone?

As a driver, and scooter parker who gets ticketed for parking on the sidewalk, I'm all for more parking in the east loop. Just build a damn 3 or 4 story high parking garage and be done with it. That's what U. City did across from the Tivoli.

The owner's plans for the parking lot have been approved by the necessary people who steer the development of the Loop...the owner of the vacant lot across the street wants to build retail, not a parking lot.

quincunx wrote:They are both owned by the OCL guy via Loop Center South LLC and Loop Center North LLC, correct?

Looks like you're right!

The east part of the OCL building was planned to come down. Also, the right part of the building will have the back wall pulled in a bit from the alley, for some rear parking spots. This part of the building will be divided into 3 sections, facing Delmar. The good news is that the right-most sections, is already picked by a 'prominent St Louis Italian restaurant' for a new location. And there is of course lots of room on the extra-wide sidewalk for outside dining, just east of Pi, within sight of the Pageant. The rooftop window sections will be retained, similar to the one in Big Shark.