Loftworks is having the St. Louis stamping complex listed on the historic register most likely so they can acquire historic tax credits.
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/pla ... 01Cass.pdf
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/pla ... 01Cass.pdf
By Martin Van Der Werf
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/24/2006
ARTIST LOFTS: Craig Heller, owner of Loftworks LLC, which has finished or is developing eight downtown loft buildings, sparked speculation by asking for a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for a century-old warehouse he owns at 101 Cass Street, about four blocks north of Laclede's Landing.
Such a listing is often the trigger to get historic tax credits that make financing loft conversions possible. Could this be the harbinger of the long-dreamed-of extension of the loft district along the north riverfront?
No, says Heller. At least not now. The area is full of derelict buildings, storage tanks and scrap yards. "I don't have any plans for it, other than maybe to rent some space out for storage," he said. "I don't think the market is so hot that I would want to take that kind of risk. I know I wouldn't want to live there."
I will take this at face value and believe that Heller is sincere. But, just for the fun of it, maybe he doesn't want to talk up future grand plans so he can continue to pick up buildings in the area for derelict prices.
- 10K
I will take this at face value and believe that Heller is sincere. But, just for the fun of it, maybe he doesn't want to talk up future grand plans so he can continue to pick up buildings in the area for derelict prices.
Bingo.
He is going alot farther north than what the inital area for a residential district in that area will be. I think developers like McGowan Walsh own the stuff around the old Laclede power plant and that stuff will be done well before the stuff around Cass.
Also it will be intersting to see how this will play out with the new MRB in the area. Maybe Heller is waiting on the area to see how this plays out.
Also it will be intersting to see how this will play out with the new MRB in the area. Maybe Heller is waiting on the area to see how this plays out.
I wonder if you could convert these to residential without making them high end lofts? Get artists, just-out-of-college kids and musicians living in the area for awhile and make it more desireable before you make it high end. Loft districts in NYC started out of necessity for inexpensive living and not as big money developments. It would be nice to have options for urban living.
- 10K
I agree, Stellar. That is one style of housing that we need a lot more of.
I was hoping I could sneak into this area and have my own place there. I think the empty industrial feel would be cool. Seems like somewhere a superhero would live, an empty warehouse with a skyline view.
I wouldn't be surprised if there was some dodgy stuff going on in that area. Many of those buildings have boarded up windows and you rarely see anybody except trucks going in and out. The Adult stores don't help with the creepiness factor either.
I hope I live long enough to see those turned into lofts/retail. I drove down there the other day on my way to ONSL and it really is one of the few areas with that urban canyon feel like on Wash Ave. It will be so close to the Bottle District and the Edward Jones Dome. It would really need a benefactor like the Gills though. Someone to coordinate the effort.
I hope I live long enough to see those turned into lofts/retail. I drove down there the other day on my way to ONSL and it really is one of the few areas with that urban canyon feel like on Wash Ave. It will be so close to the Bottle District and the Edward Jones Dome. It would really need a benefactor like the Gills though. Someone to coordinate the effort.
- 479
Dodgy stuff? Perhaps late at night. Mostly, the area is empty and quiet at any time outside of Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm -- save for the occasional photo-taking near northside pedestrian.
I mean dodgy like in "what's stored in all those boarded up warehouses?" One could be storing weapons, bales of weed, human slaves. The possibilities are endless.ecoabsence wrote:Dodgy stuff? Perhaps late at night. Mostly, the area is empty and quiet at any time outside of Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm -- save for the occasional photo-taking near northside pedestrian.
So few people would pay any attention since it seems like such a ghost town except for a few trucks moving about whenever I go through there.- 479
In that case, you may be right. There is a fireworks factory back there, among other possibly permit-less uses...
You can say that it gets the imagination going. And that is a good thing.
Hey, I'm starting a job on N Broadway and wouldn't mind renting a floor of some old industrial building. Provided there are no particulates and/or other pollutants. The only issue might be heating/cooling. I'm looking for something like Wayne's World but not in Aurora IL.
Are there any lofts either in North or South Broadway? Or do you guys know anyone who would rent a space?
Are there any lofts either in North or South Broadway? Or do you guys know anyone who would rent a space?
This is a great area.
Has anyone been to Shady Jack's and seen what he's done with the space? He took over many of the buildings shown in the last two pictures on the front page.
Also, is Produce Row still exclusively wholesale?
Has anyone been to Shady Jack's and seen what he's done with the space? He took over many of the buildings shown in the last two pictures on the front page.
Also, is Produce Row still exclusively wholesale?
Yep. To get the full flavor of the restoration they've done, you have to actually go. It's pretty spectacular. The best part of going is getting a chance to meet and talk to Jack himself - he's a real character and a great storyteller. Really a great place and the food isn't terrible.
It styles itself as a biker bar, but you can take the girl. Especially for lunch, if you think she'd be hesitant to go at night. It's really a varied crowd, not so much biker as biker-plus.
Good article that sums it up: http://www.stlmag.com/media/St-Louis-Ma ... e-Outlaws/
Good article that sums it up: http://www.stlmag.com/media/St-Louis-Ma ... e-Outlaws/
Shady Jacks is a great place. Definitely the friendliest, most welcoming group of bikers around.
Shady Jacks is a pretty badass place. I've been there and it isn't what I expected. Hopefully I get my bike.
But anyway N. Broadway, and the North Riverfront in general, has so many great buildings. In 10 to 20 years something will have to be done with these buildings. We are going to see continued deindustrialization and rising gas prices. That makes these buildings attractive for reuse into office and residential.
Have you guys been to Greg's? I've had lunch there. I told my dad that an he freaked. He used to go there for Fish during the winter his parents.
But anyway N. Broadway, and the North Riverfront in general, has so many great buildings. In 10 to 20 years something will have to be done with these buildings. We are going to see continued deindustrialization and rising gas prices. That makes these buildings attractive for reuse into office and residential.
Have you guys been to Greg's? I've had lunch there. I told my dad that an he freaked. He used to go there for Fish during the winter his parents.