With some paint and a few structural additions, that building could be made to look like a dragon, the streetfacing front being the open mouth.
The saucer has too much parking around it but I am glad that it was saved and not replaced by a generic strip mall. Now would I want it replaced by say a Park East Tower? that's a tough one.
It is quirky and it forms a nice focal point/gathering space and it will become more important as a landmark over time.
So I guess if the Googie building could also remain a tiny restaurant with a limited area of seating around it and be nestled in between urban buildings, it could be a an interesting place to rest as well.
Considering how some modern construction can look pretty cheap, this tiny building with its patina of age almost has more character.
It is quirky and it forms a nice focal point/gathering space and it will become more important as a landmark over time.
So I guess if the Googie building could also remain a tiny restaurant with a limited area of seating around it and be nestled in between urban buildings, it could be a an interesting place to rest as well.
Considering how some modern construction can look pretty cheap, this tiny building with its patina of age almost has more character.
Well, the argument would be that this is one of the very few examples in St. Louis of a unique architectural style. Googie architecture was huge on the West Coast, but never caught on here. That could be one reason to save it.STLEnginerd wrote: historically it has little to no significance
Besides, imagine how cool it would be surrounded by dense infill in a vibrant neighborhood; this little cuttie could become a great nightspot. If we tear it down now, the opportunity is gone forever.
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Well I guess by historical significance I meant there is no event that occurred here that lend to the historical value of the building. The entire value of the building rests on its architectural significance which is not zero. I have a hard time understanding how Googie is a distinct subset of MCM of which St. Louis has several examples but I'm no architect either. I said it wasn't iconic because no one is putting this one on postcards anytime soon.
I am not against preserving it and would go so far as to require the developer to offer the structure for free to anyone willing to move it for a minimum of 6 months prior to demo, but that's it.
I actually think the style of the building would clash with the proposed development and if it were moved would think adjacent to another MCM building might soften the structures style. For instance next to the saucer building as an example, even though that is a long shot.
I am not against preserving it and would go so far as to require the developer to offer the structure for free to anyone willing to move it for a minimum of 6 months prior to demo, but that's it.
I actually think the style of the building would clash with the proposed development and if it were moved would think adjacent to another MCM building might soften the structures style. For instance next to the saucer building as an example, even though that is a long shot.
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Do we know any more about this rendering? I can't imagine anything on this scale for a long time but I'd love to be wrong!moorlander wrote:
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I think it's a long term vision conjured up by the Lawrence Group
Here's a brief recap (copy and paste) of current thoughts and ideas for the re-make of Strauss Park and the Arts and Music Promenade (the alley behind Jazz at the Bistro). There was lots more info; this is just a summary:
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For three days GCI and PPS hosted a series of workshops, stakeholder meetings, and public engagement exercises designed to begin developing a “Place Vision” and action plans for Strauss Park and the AMP. The sessions were well attended and District Stakeholders actively participated in the sessions.
Here is a concise recap of the predominant suggestions and recommendations, by category, relative to Strauss Park specifically, and the broader AMP project in general:
Strauss Park
· Access: Open the park to foot traffic by facilitating entry into and movement throughout ; remove the bushes, the wrought-iron fences, consider moving the Rabbit; create pathways; add bike racks
· Comfort: Better, more comfortable, fun seating; fun, funky lighting
· Attractiveness: New and maintained landscaping; public art
· Interest: Regular, seasonal, day/night programming; music; food/drink; markets; projections (movies and sporting events); multi-function climbing or play structure; activities for kids and families
· Wayfinding/Marketing: Information Kiosk/Visitors Center; Calendar of Events; signage, map, directions around the District
Art and Music Promenade
· Pedestrian pathway: Lighter, Quicker Cheaper (LQC) ideas that would have significant impact: 1) Consider moving Jazz valet parking drop-off/pick-up further east to accomplish three things: opportunity for patrons to visit Magnolia Café while waiting for their cars; opportunity for Jazz to use the existing valet lot for VIP parking; opportunity to activate the retail front from Jazz to the Stage at KDHX; 2) remove fence at rear of parking lot between Jazz and GCI and relocate the bird sculpture in the grassy triangle to open the lot to foot traffic from the alley to the park and to allow for reprogramming of the lot for pop-up markets/vending; 3) define and guide foot traffic with wayfinding, signage, artistic painting;
· Alleyway: Develop a pricing and implementation plan to replace the dumpsters with a shared trash compactor; power wash/pave the alley; secure an artist installation that is attractive and welcoming.
Over the next 2 months PPS and Grand Center will be working in a focused manner to develop the findings from these initial workshops and meetings. Subsequent meetings, surveys, and ongoing feedback will be woven into a working “Place Vision” and action plan for Strauss Park and an initial set of recommendations for the Arts and Music Promenade.
While PPS is developing recommendations and an action plan for us, we are engaged in a variety of project-related activities.
To prepare the alleyway between the Metropolitan Artist Lofts and Best Steakhouse for pedestrian traffic as part of the AMP, we are gathering information on the costs, electrical considerations and potential location for a trash compactor to allow for removal of the 13 dumpsters currently used by the Steakhouse, the Metropolitan, GCI, Jazz at the Bistro and KDHX. We are seeking advice from the City and utility companies relative to the conditions and locations of overhead electrical lines and any potential changes in poles/locations. We are also pricing power washing and/or paving for the alley.
After this work is completed, we will move to the tasks associated with engaging an artist(s) to do an installation in the alleyway.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For three days GCI and PPS hosted a series of workshops, stakeholder meetings, and public engagement exercises designed to begin developing a “Place Vision” and action plans for Strauss Park and the AMP. The sessions were well attended and District Stakeholders actively participated in the sessions.
Here is a concise recap of the predominant suggestions and recommendations, by category, relative to Strauss Park specifically, and the broader AMP project in general:
Strauss Park
· Access: Open the park to foot traffic by facilitating entry into and movement throughout ; remove the bushes, the wrought-iron fences, consider moving the Rabbit; create pathways; add bike racks
· Comfort: Better, more comfortable, fun seating; fun, funky lighting
· Attractiveness: New and maintained landscaping; public art
· Interest: Regular, seasonal, day/night programming; music; food/drink; markets; projections (movies and sporting events); multi-function climbing or play structure; activities for kids and families
· Wayfinding/Marketing: Information Kiosk/Visitors Center; Calendar of Events; signage, map, directions around the District
Art and Music Promenade
· Pedestrian pathway: Lighter, Quicker Cheaper (LQC) ideas that would have significant impact: 1) Consider moving Jazz valet parking drop-off/pick-up further east to accomplish three things: opportunity for patrons to visit Magnolia Café while waiting for their cars; opportunity for Jazz to use the existing valet lot for VIP parking; opportunity to activate the retail front from Jazz to the Stage at KDHX; 2) remove fence at rear of parking lot between Jazz and GCI and relocate the bird sculpture in the grassy triangle to open the lot to foot traffic from the alley to the park and to allow for reprogramming of the lot for pop-up markets/vending; 3) define and guide foot traffic with wayfinding, signage, artistic painting;
· Alleyway: Develop a pricing and implementation plan to replace the dumpsters with a shared trash compactor; power wash/pave the alley; secure an artist installation that is attractive and welcoming.
Over the next 2 months PPS and Grand Center will be working in a focused manner to develop the findings from these initial workshops and meetings. Subsequent meetings, surveys, and ongoing feedback will be woven into a working “Place Vision” and action plan for Strauss Park and an initial set of recommendations for the Arts and Music Promenade.
While PPS is developing recommendations and an action plan for us, we are engaged in a variety of project-related activities.
To prepare the alleyway between the Metropolitan Artist Lofts and Best Steakhouse for pedestrian traffic as part of the AMP, we are gathering information on the costs, electrical considerations and potential location for a trash compactor to allow for removal of the 13 dumpsters currently used by the Steakhouse, the Metropolitan, GCI, Jazz at the Bistro and KDHX. We are seeking advice from the City and utility companies relative to the conditions and locations of overhead electrical lines and any potential changes in poles/locations. We are also pricing power washing and/or paving for the alley.
After this work is completed, we will move to the tasks associated with engaging an artist(s) to do an installation in the alleyway.
^Thanks for the update. It's good to know there's some productive discourse surrounding the improvement of Midtown's pedestrian environment.
One idea I may have to submit to the subsequent meetings is that Strauss Park would be the perfect place for a Grand Center Box Office - a single location to buy tickets for the Symphony, Fox, Circus Flora, Sheldon, Black Rep @ Harris-Stowe, Kranzberg Arts Center, Jazz @ The Bistro, KDHX/Magnolia Cafe, Marcelle Theater, Moolah Theater, Billikens Basketball and Soccer games, and any number of clubs/venues along Midtown Alley.
Times Square has something similar, which sells tickets for every Broadway theater. It makes it really easy for out of towners to walk up and see what's playing and what's available when they want to see a show. It's also a great way for theaters to get buyers for last minute availabilities.
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Something a smaller and more subdued, perhaps like a Paris newsstand without the clutter, might be appropriate for Strauss Park:
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It would take a lot of coordination among the participating venues, but it'd be a great way to bring people into Strauss Park and Midtown in general.
One idea I may have to submit to the subsequent meetings is that Strauss Park would be the perfect place for a Grand Center Box Office - a single location to buy tickets for the Symphony, Fox, Circus Flora, Sheldon, Black Rep @ Harris-Stowe, Kranzberg Arts Center, Jazz @ The Bistro, KDHX/Magnolia Cafe, Marcelle Theater, Moolah Theater, Billikens Basketball and Soccer games, and any number of clubs/venues along Midtown Alley.
Times Square has something similar, which sells tickets for every Broadway theater. It makes it really easy for out of towners to walk up and see what's playing and what's available when they want to see a show. It's also a great way for theaters to get buyers for last minute availabilities.
Something a smaller and more subdued, perhaps like a Paris newsstand without the clutter, might be appropriate for Strauss Park:
It would take a lot of coordination among the participating venues, but it'd be a great way to bring people into Strauss Park and Midtown in general.
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^ that's a good idea.
At Playhouse Square's plaza in Cleveland they put in a big fire pit, which is a rather cool idea for the Fall/Winter season which predominates the performing arts season:
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At Playhouse Square's plaza in Cleveland they put in a big fire pit, which is a rather cool idea for the Fall/Winter season which predominates the performing arts season:
P-D Article on SLU trying to close Laclede Ave between Grand & Spring.
According to the article, the bill "states that the university will use the closed street to 'increase pedestrian safety and function as a service corridor.'"
Of course, SLU is only trying to help pedestrians. It isn't doing anything itself that heavily concentrates car activity, requires curb cuts, or generally diminishes the pedestrian experience along this stretch of Laclede:
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I wonder if they'd move the entrance to their huge garage to Spring, do away with the two lots and remove the driveway for the Griesedieck Dorms, or if they just want Laclede to be a private driveway. The bill's "service corridor" language makes me think the latter.
The bill was introduced by Marlene Davis of the 19th Ward, which encompasses just about all of SLU. But the south side of Laclede here is actually in Joe Roddy's 17th Ward. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say on the matter. Ogilvie and Coatar already sound skeptical.
According to the article, the bill "states that the university will use the closed street to 'increase pedestrian safety and function as a service corridor.'"
Of course, SLU is only trying to help pedestrians. It isn't doing anything itself that heavily concentrates car activity, requires curb cuts, or generally diminishes the pedestrian experience along this stretch of Laclede:
I wonder if they'd move the entrance to their huge garage to Spring, do away with the two lots and remove the driveway for the Griesedieck Dorms, or if they just want Laclede to be a private driveway. The bill's "service corridor" language makes me think the latter.
The bill was introduced by Marlene Davis of the 19th Ward, which encompasses just about all of SLU. But the south side of Laclede here is actually in Joe Roddy's 17th Ward. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say on the matter. Ogilvie and Coatar already sound skeptical.
Can we restore the rooftop neon signs that used to be everywhere?
Why did the Fox remove theirs? What a lost opportunity.
Why did the Fox remove theirs? What a lost opportunity.
Sorry, didn't know where to post this:
SLU has a fence up and a backhoe on the site where they recently tore down an old building on Lindell (next door to McGannon Hall). Anyone know what's up? Just a parking lot?
SLU has a fence up and a backhoe on the site where they recently tore down an old building on Lindell (next door to McGannon Hall). Anyone know what's up? Just a parking lot?
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Not a new residence hall I know. I don't know what's going on at that site.
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It's just a parking lot. With it was something else.
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presby tweeted that a restaurant called Curtain Call will open in the Fox-owned Humboldt Building... looks like it will go into the space just south of the City Diner that has upcoming show bills in the windows.
Also, does anyone know ifs Chronicle Coffee still on track for the Metropolitan Building?
Also, does anyone know ifs Chronicle Coffee still on track for the Metropolitan Building?
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^ i assumed Chronicle wasn't happening as last i was home (late April) all the window signs were gone and it looked there hadn't been any build-out.
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^ thanks.
Here is an interesting mixed-use project in downtown Indy's hot Mass Ave district:
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http://www.ibj.com/articles/54552-50m-a ... ve-forward
Montage on Mass, as it’s called, will feature 236 units, 36,000 square feet of retail, two levels of underground parking and a giant three-story, electronic-mesh art display at the building’s corner.
This would be great in Grand Center but at the most similar parcel, the Lindell/Olive split, you'd have to demo Vito's, the Wool Center and the handsome SLU owned building fronting Olive; the surface lot right across the street though at Olive and Theresa could work well.
This would also be cool in the Grove in the wedge shaped parcel in front of the Chouteau Building.
Here is an interesting mixed-use project in downtown Indy's hot Mass Ave district:
http://www.ibj.com/articles/54552-50m-a ... ve-forward
Montage on Mass, as it’s called, will feature 236 units, 36,000 square feet of retail, two levels of underground parking and a giant three-story, electronic-mesh art display at the building’s corner.
This would be great in Grand Center but at the most similar parcel, the Lindell/Olive split, you'd have to demo Vito's, the Wool Center and the handsome SLU owned building fronting Olive; the surface lot right across the street though at Olive and Theresa could work well.
This would also be cool in the Grove in the wedge shaped parcel in front of the Chouteau Building.
Karin Hagaman, Director of Project Development at Cortex, has been named the new President and CEO of Grand Center, Inc.:
http://www.grandcenter.org/news/
http://www.grandcenter.org/news/
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Could also fit on the green triangle next to the EDJ Domeroger wyoming II wrote:^ thanks.
Here is an interesting mixed-use project in downtown Indy's hot Mass Ave district:
http://www.ibj.com/articles/54552-50m-a ... ve-forward
Montage on Mass, as it’s called, will feature 236 units, 36,000 square feet of retail, two levels of underground parking and a giant three-story, electronic-mesh art display at the building’s corner.
This would be great in Grand Center but at the most similar parcel, the Lindell/Olive split, you'd have to demo Vito's, the Wool Center and the handsome SLU owned building fronting Olive; the surface lot right across the street though at Olive and Theresa could work well.
This would also be cool in the Grove in the wedge shaped parcel in front of the Chouteau Building.
Framer, its almost like you got a merry go around of the same people in some key groups for development within the city, whether it be DowntownStl, Cortex and Grand Center. All three need to thrive. Just not sure or know enough of who is doing what to get a feeling that these moves are really beneficial outside of the person making the move themselves.
^Yeah, I'm a bit concerned that she seems to change jobs pretty frequently; especially compared to Schoemehl, who was there for what, something like 20 years? She's got a solid development background, though.
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^^ your comment about all these groups reminds me of the Biz Journal editorial urging a more unified organization steering development in the city's Central Corridor.... getting dt, cortex, gc & cwe together.
I think development go forward for both Grand Center and CORTEX is about infill and away from rehab as most the built space has been rehabbed, committed, etc and more about infill. Which is even tougher for a slow growth region without some significant speculation, relocation to secure anchor tenants and a premium or subsidy of the additional construction of space. I think connections outside of the region are even more important as the infill has to get beyond residential some how.