urbanSTL

Moorlander wrote:

UrbanPioneer wrote:^ Yeah, I hate to say it but you're right. How can you possibly have an art center and then get mad when one of your tenant does something a little off-color.



I hope it was a fluke, but if the problem with Bushwoods is any indication of the landlord's mindset, this (re)development will never get off the ground.

I feel quite the opposite. Those Bushwoods ads were absolutely terrible. There are many ways to advertise without being perverted and low class.

The advertisements may have been inappropriate, but canceling their lease sets a bad precedent.



What are the landlords going to do in the future if some artist creates a somewhat controversial piece of art? Do they kick them out also? Are only family-friendly works of art allowed? Wouldn't this be counterintuitive to much of the art scene?



All I'm saying is, if I were an artist, I'd have to seriously question getting a studio in the development because I'd be worried the landlord may censor my artistic vision.

controversial pieces of art vs awful low class dirtbag in-your-face lacledes landing type metro broadcasted commercials... something tells me they might fall into a different category.



and yes... there was more to this story....

Those plans for the Arts Center are very ambitious. I doubt that they'll be able to find some 50+ artists to rent spaces there, but you never know (Grand Center has had good success filling their new artist studio building at 3840 Washington. Looks like the same architects did the work on both jobs). Anyone know what the asking rates are?



I wish them well, but I would prefer that this kind of project were located in the Jefferson/Grand/Kingshighway area. The local arts scene is already way too spread out, and a new Chouteau's Landing location would just add to the problem.

Another e-mail update from Chivvis:

Chivvis Welcomes Black Label To Chouteau's Landing!



Black Label: "A Premium Experience" Gallery Lounge Opening February 2009 on Chouteau's Landing







Black Label opens in Chouteau's Landing in February 2009 at 758 S. Fourth Street, the former residence of Bushwoods. Black Label brings a fresh resurgence to the project and intends to spearhead a number of events and activities in the Chouteau's Landing district.



Black Label is a fresh and vibrant concept that aspires to ignite the Chouteau's Landing district and remain a mainstay in this up-and-coming St. Louis district dedicated to art, fashion and entertainment.



Black Label merges the gallery and lounge concepts into one stylish venue that will bring a "Premium Experience" to Downtown St. Louis.



Black Label's gallery element will flaunt the unique talent of local artists as well as invited, national talent. Artwork will be displayed around the lounge for viewing and for purchase. Rotating artwork monthly, Black Label will keep customers eager to see what's new as well as host special events to showcase different types of artists, from body painting and sketches to the sounds of local musicians.



Black Label will also serve as a popular lounge for networking and socializing among business professionals, art followers and party-goers. With a convenient location three blocks from Busch Stadium, Cardinals' fans will be able to enjoy pre-game and post-game attractions, as well as a free shuttle to and from the games. With a premium drink selection and outstanding customer service, Black Label will be a destination known for its unique ability to provide a distinct experience to all visitors.



Black Label is the "Premium Experience."

-RBB

It wasn't until halfway through that paragraph that I figured out "Black Label" wasn't what I wanted it to be.

I have been to a lot of pretty risque art displays in various venues throughout STL. But not sure if this distrcit will support it.

STLgasm wrote:If the arts center is to be successful, it MUST market itself beyond the St. Louis region. With our wealth of historic warehouse space and gritty urban vibe, St. Louis can no doubt become a midwestern epicenter for artistic endeavors. Our biggest obstacle is our inferiority complex and lack of buzz.

Additionally, I think the district should offer incentives for arts groups to locate there.



I heard that Paducah, Kentucky is becoming a mecca for artists and designers because they have a wonderful incentive program. If Paducah managed to attract artists from other places, imagine what St. Louis can do. This development has all the bones to be successful-- hopefully it will rise to its potential.



I think Chouteau's Landing should be cautious about "over-branding" as themed developments tend to become played out at their inception. I hope it retains a raw gritty quality, and is not "prettied up" too much. Don't get me wrong-- I want to see Powell Square with windows, but I hope the finished product isn't too sanitized.



Does anyone know when construction is set to begin?

You make some excellent points, especially about the risk of turning Choteau's Landing into a over-themed neighborhood. Just imagine if we had two themed neighborhoods surrounding the Arch (The Landing's booze prevalent booze theme being the other). Ugh.



I like your idea of keeping Powell Square somewhat raw and gritty. After all, spaces for the creation of art tend to be anyway, so why change it now?



But I'll take your idea a step further: What if Powell Square did what the 5 Pointz Artist Studios in New York City did and encourage graffiti on the building? After all, the building is already on it's way and a such, the transition would be natural. Graffiti, when done correctly, is arguably the ultimate urban art form. If the landlords followed the 5 Pointz precedent and gave out permits to paint parts of the building, local graffiti artists would have a prominent place to showcase their talent and Powell Square would cement itself as a unique landmark in the city.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Pointz

http://queens.about.com/od/thingtodo/ss/lic_art_2.htm



An excerpt about 5 Pointz from about.com, (sounds the same as Powell Square to me):



"Not a museum or gallery, 5 Pointz is a living collage of graffiti art covering a converted warehouse full of artist studios. The art of famous and novice graffiti artists covers the building's facade, all done with the encouragement of the building's owner. It's a well-known sight from the elevated 7 subway, which runs behind 5 Pointz."











I'm sure plenty of people throughout the region will absolutely hate the idea, but who cares. Those are probably the same people who are too ignorant to realize that not all graffiti is gang related.

Perhaps one day St. Louis will become a hot enough arts destination that something like the McKibbin Street artist lofts in Brooklyn, NY would work here:



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/nyreg ... bin&st=nyt



How good would that be for the city!

Wow, good discussion. I had heard that Paducah had a strong arts community, but I did not know that the city offered incentives to lure artists.



Here is the program in Paducah that gasm mentioned:



http://paducaharts.com/index.php



There's no reason something like this wouldn't work here, right?

There are community development arts initiatives all up and down the Mississippi River.



Good to great ideas everywhere with many variations and differences depending on the size of the market.



Unless something has changed dramatically in the past few months, St. Louis is considered a vibrant market comparatively. One tremendous productive advantage is the low cost space, housing, and overhead expenses. Even so, some of the artists moving to smaller towns along the Mississippi are migrating from higher cost cities, including St. Louis.

In Kansas City, the "artist" area is known as the Crossroads. It organically sprouted up out of some vacant buildings. Now, everyone caught on, rents increased, and a lot of artists had to move to other parts of the city. As much as I love to see people make money, I hope the planners of Chouteau's landing take precautionary measures to keep rents affordable and a concentration of artists there.



Of course, this presumes the success of the project. Fingers crossed.

"It makes us unique amongst the gray suburban areas of blight."





Simply hilarious. I have to agree that the position of this building, essentially anchoring the landing of the Poplar Street bridge on the Missouri side, provides to the larger downtown scene an excellent impression for westward travelers during the daytime. Clearly not discounting the Arch, but rather the view from the roadbed perspective of the bridge itself, a well done canvas of an exterior shell would announce to all, that our city promotes the sort of loose creative activity that not only generates curiosity but also ensures urban survival. The building of course would be saved, but also the larger 'district' of Chouteau's Landing would benefit from Powell Square enthusiastically playing the gatekeeper. The Arch will always own the ambassadorial role of welcomer in the largest panorama seen from the east, but if Lumiere Place can light up the night, then so Powell Square can light up the day, and provide the gravity where the Poplar Street bridge lands in our city.[/u]

captainjackass wrote:It wasn't until halfway through that paragraph that I figured out "Black Label" wasn't what I wanted it to be.

Black Label will be a great business to add to the downtown area. I checked it out yesterday and it looked amazing. When they open I think it will grow to be a favorite destination. Check it out before you judge it. Trust me.

Jonny Walker Black Label.... mmmmmm

The succession of eminently sue-able trademark infringements in this development does not reflect well on the developers.

[/quote]Jonny Walker Black Label.... mmmmmm



It wasn't until halfway through that paragraph that I figured out "Black Label" wasn't what I wanted it to be.



[/quote]



At least they aren't calling it Red Label. And at least they didn't give it to their father in law for christmas, who then spent the next year thinking that their son in law was cheap. At least they didn't do that.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
Does this person have a name?

Yes.





The Scrutinizer gets scrutinized!