I was surprised today as I drove by Grant School and found a SOLD sticker posted over the For Sale sign. Ever since I first saw this building, I thought it would be a great building for condominiums. If I had an extra $220,000 and the resources to renovate the building, I would have jumped in there... which is why I was surprised to see it sit there on the market for so long.



Grant School is located at 3009 Pennsylvania Avenue, just northwest of Arsenal Street and Gravios Avenue. Grant School was built in 1893 by architect August H. Kirchner and enlarged in 1902 by architect William B. Ittner. There is also an attached gym that was added in 1965, which I would like to see removed.



I just went to the City of St. Louis Development Activity site and they show the building is to be renovated into eight townhomes and 22 renovated units.



Here are some photos I took today:



















I found additional photos online at <A HREF="http://www.eco-absence.org/stl/gra/">Ecology of Absence</A> from November 2003.

Nice building and good location - that's in Fox Park, I guess?



Who knows, if they keep the gym, it might be a nice selling point.

DeBaliviere wrote:that's in Fox Park, I guess? Who knows, if they keep the gym, it might be a nice selling point.

Here is a map of the exact location: <A HREF="http://maps.yahoo.com//maps_result?csz= ... Key=&mag=2"> map of 3009 Pennsylvania Avenue</a>



I just checked the City of St. Louis Assessor's Office database and it shows 3009 Pennsylvania as being a part of Tower Grove East. I guess you could be right about the gym, but it just doesn't look right. I guess it could be hidden or camouflaged some how.

The contractors have begun rebuilding the original curved roof openings/vents/windows. This is going to be a fantastic building once complete. Now I wish I wouldn't have passed on a house just a few doors down.

To be honest, I can't place the building. It isn't in my memory bank. From the address, I assume it is near the Bavarian Inn, which I assume is still in business. From looking at the map, it appears that Tower Grove/South Grand is spreading east and Benton Park is spreading west. Are things beginning to meet in the middle? I will put this area on my list of places to see and become reacquainted. Does the development have a website?

While on the bus going home the other evening, I noticed a new sign up on the site with a rendering and from what I could tell (I obviously couldn't stop to take a closer look) it appears the sign said senior living/housing on it as being the finished product.

I guess the gym might not get much use then.

Here are some updated photos I took today:

Looking good! I wonder if the apartments will need all of the additional land/paved lots, or if new development could eventually be built near the school.

Citylover wrote:Any updates?

Now leasing. Here is a quick photo update...

Maybe it's different for seniors, but I think I'd have a problem living at a school. Those grounds just scream out school, and I don't think I'd ever get past the idea that I was living at a school.

trent wrote:Maybe it's different for seniors, but I think I'd have a problem living at a school. Those grounds just scream out school, and I don't think I'd ever get past the idea that I was living at a school.

I would- if it was Hogwarts.

I still vividly remember a fantasy I had in grade school, where I would grow up and live in my school as a single family home. I guess I was a pretty weird kid.

^I had similar dreams as well. I now dream about converting my grade school to condos if it ever is chosen to close with the ever shrinking number of Catholic Grade Schools.



And not to sound obvious, but the big "Grant School" sign over the door may have something to do with the feeling of living in a school.

Well, okay, it WAS a school, BUT...it is no more a school...and all those warehouses downtown...no more are sweathouse warehouses and factories, but spiffy new lofts.

"No more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks".

Wow! I couldn't believe it. Having grown up on Shenandoah Ave (my parents still live there) and attending Grant School from 1985-1988 I remember exactly what the school was like on the inside. Though in the 80s it was showing its age, the floors shined like you wouldn't believe. I can still picture the classrooms and hallways.



I'd love to see what it looks like now on the inside. Looking at the exterior shots I remember exactly where the science lab was, and the library.



I'm glad to see the gym go -- it never really "fit".