On the metros traditional black/white divide and the city county divide (basically). Good place for a art project commemorating the reunification of city and county... when that happens.
So heard something interesting a few weeks ago - evidently new tech used at ATT is making some of there older switching facilities redundant - so they may be in the market to sell some of these older buildings they built in the 30's - there is one on S Grand also - In a move of sheer stupidity, in the 1970's ATT purchased the buildings around their switching stations and tore them down so that there was no risk of fire spreading to their building if the adjoining building caught fire hence the empty lots on Delmar and Grand surrounding their buildings.
this is no urban legend, was related to me by former ATT engineer who worked in them at the time, he thought it was a great response to security and I tried to not let my anger seep through (he is a friends father-in-law) -
Just an example of when single minded purpose combines with unlimited funds and general arrogance
That being said - if ATT choses to sell on Delmar - their timing has never been better - and that place would probably make good offices or residential
For the first few years after the Loop Trolley is around, I see the East Loop being similar to the Grove before it eventually becomes more like the rest of the Loop. By then, the Grove itself will probably resemble something like the Loop.
^ Geoff is pretty good at teasers lately. Still waiting on his high rise residential tower
One thing that I'm trying to understand. Is the current property own entertaining a buyout from Wash U who wants to develop it? Or is the current owner entertaining building out a new development with Wash U? I get the impression that the current owner can afford to sit on the property while Wash U is now anxious to make something happen on this corner because of their significant investment kitty corner to this property. Not to mention a good comment in Geoff's post about the significant student foot traffic between the main campus and the loop that goes by this property.
My understanding was that WUSTL was leasing the property so the owner is getting the same money as before. Had they not took on the lease a McDonald's or some such would have been in there in a second.
wabash wrote:Phase II of the Loop Living project along with construction on the Church's site would really keep the Loop rolling.
What businesses would you want to see in it? I think a pharmacy would do well. Some retail but not restaurants would be nice, too. Some kind of store St. Louisans pine for but don't have yet. Something that will get people excited the way IKEA has.
To clear things up Loop Living Phase II is the building intended for the corner of Enright and Westgate (labeled Building 4, though it's the 5th building because the ones on Delmar are called 1A and 1B) which is residential only. As far as I know the construction will commence after the first phase is done, maybe this fall. Might they call something for the Church's Chicken spot Phase III or part of Phase II or something wholly different, I don't know.
