Well, it can join other "sore thumbs" like the Transamerica Tower, Taipei 101, the Gherkin, Devon Energy Tower and Iberdrola Tower. Although it won't stick out nearly as much as any of those.
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It's absolutely going to stick out in a great way that draws attention to the vibrancy of the city in direct contrast to the drab and uninspired properties throughout the rest of the region. We are getting a new tallest by 70' for one of most important neighborhoods that is designed by a world class firm. Nothing but positives from me.
Can't get on board with saying the region's architecture is drab and uninspired. I'd say quite the opposite actually.
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Nope.MTBE wrote: ↑Dec 13, 2017I don't like the design as previously shown (magazine rack).
I think some architectural history, or architectural integrity, should be maintained in St. Louis, and in any community. The rendering of the magazine rack is too bold a difference for anything in the area. It's out of place and would be a sore thumb.
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can respect that you don't like it but "architectural integrity should be maintained" is a pretty subjective argument when talking about aesthetics (and there is already precedent for buildings of this size in the CWE so it can't be a form-based argument). there are beautiful juxtapositions of old and new architecture all over the world. and remember that old architecture used to be new. i'm sure people said that Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, etc. styles were simply "too bold" for their contexts at one time or another.MTBE wrote: ↑Dec 13, 2017I don't like the design as previously shown (magazine rack).
I think some architectural history, or architectural integrity, should be maintained in St. Louis, and in any community. The rendering of the magazine rack is too bold a difference for anything in the area. It's out of place and would be a sore thumb.
yeah, are you joking? i think we have some of the most beautiful residential architecture in the US, and a significant number of wonderful pre-war and mid-century churches, warehouses, office buildings, high-rises, etc. there's absolutely nothing drab about this region, architecturally, at least inside 270.newstl2020 wrote: ↑Dec 13, 2017... in direct contrast to the drab and uninspired properties throughout the rest of the region.
I love the design, and I agree with STLinCHI; this should open the door for other innovative architecture being built around here. It's about time we caught up with the rest of the world in regards to contemporary architecture.
BTW, I really can't wait to see this from the top of Art Hill.
BTW, I really can't wait to see this from the top of Art Hill.
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The city's vibrancy in contrast to the rest of the region. The city has a wealth of amazing buildings and architecture. The rest of the region outside of the city is drab and uninspired, by and large.urban_dilettante wrote: ↑Dec 13, 2017yeah, are you joking? i think we have some of the most beautiful residential architecture in the US, and a significant number of wonderful pre-war and mid-century churches, warehouses, office buildings, high-rises, etc. there's absolutely nothing drab about this region, architecturally, at least inside 270.newstl2020 wrote: ↑Dec 13, 2017... in direct contrast to the drab and uninspired properties throughout the rest of the region.
Edit: Yes, at least inside of 270. I was referring overtly to the counties without explicitly stating such.
Not really sure where the drab and uninspired comment came from unless this is referring to some of our downtown skyscrapers. I think the former One AT&T Center is hideous. HOK at least made an effort on One Met Sq but failed. Eagleton is okay but I think it ruined a lot of great arch views and did little for downtown street activity. It was height for the sake of height, a product of our rather unfortunate downtown zoning law. Mercantile Bank tower is one of the few designs I actually like.
But yes, personally, I'm obsessed with Jeanne Gang's design. I think it's a stretch to call her the most talked about architect today, Gehry or Ingles probably still holds that title, but she will definitely receive a Pritzger within the next five years. IMHO, this might be the building that helps her achieve that. It pulls art deco inspiration from Park Plaza; provides balconies in a subtle, attractive way, avoiding the awful Miami balconies look; and will be an icon overlooking Forest Park a la New York's Central Park West.
But yes, personally, I'm obsessed with Jeanne Gang's design. I think it's a stretch to call her the most talked about architect today, Gehry or Ingles probably still holds that title, but she will definitely receive a Pritzger within the next five years. IMHO, this might be the building that helps her achieve that. It pulls art deco inspiration from Park Plaza; provides balconies in a subtle, attractive way, avoiding the awful Miami balconies look; and will be an icon overlooking Forest Park a la New York's Central Park West.
I'm curious how much direct input she had on this design. When they presented the plans to the City several months ago, a different architect in her firm was giving the pitch, and seemed to be the one in charge of the project.
Anyway, I don't know how these large "starchitect" firms work, as far as who actually creates the designs.
Anyway, I don't know how these large "starchitect" firms work, as far as who actually creates the designs.
I love the design too-- it's sleek and striking, and I think the contrast with older high-rises along Kingshighway will be refreshing and commanding. I'm sure we're all in agreement that St. Louis' historic architecture is among the most impressive in the country. 'Boring' and 'uninspired' definitely describes a lot of the newer faux-historic schlock that dominated new construction in the city up until recently (i.e. lots of infill throughout the city, and high-profile examples such as the Orion in the CWE where Whole Foods is located, barf).
I'm a fan of the Southwestern Bell (AT&T) tower, and I've grown to love Metropolitan Square in all its bulky ongepatchke** glory. It's definitely one of the purest specimens of late '80s skyscraper architecture to be found anywhere in the country. Our downtown skyline is definitely deceiving-- considering that St. Louis is such an old city, the skyline is almost completely dominated by mostly nondescript boxes from the '70s and '80s. Typical skyline views give the impression that St. Louis is more modern than it is, yet outdated all at once!
**ongepatchke is Yiddish for "gaudy"
I'm a fan of the Southwestern Bell (AT&T) tower, and I've grown to love Metropolitan Square in all its bulky ongepatchke** glory. It's definitely one of the purest specimens of late '80s skyscraper architecture to be found anywhere in the country. Our downtown skyline is definitely deceiving-- considering that St. Louis is such an old city, the skyline is almost completely dominated by mostly nondescript boxes from the '70s and '80s. Typical skyline views give the impression that St. Louis is more modern than it is, yet outdated all at once!
**ongepatchke is Yiddish for "gaudy"
It's about prominent hi-rise architecture as a sculptural entity. Saarinen certainly understood this as a means to break through the walls of restraint. Most of the time uninspired design is a direct result of profit seeking. A market must be able to support a high cost per square foot to allow such designs to succeed within the residential or office markets. That is why much of the North American work within the Starchitect realm has remained seated in civic and non-profit (museums) arenas. What the Gang development in St. Louis speaks to locally is an emerging market willing to pay a premium to live in such an edifice. That my friends is a huge jump from the recent past.
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Awesome news! If 300 South Broadway get moving quickly St. Louis could have 3 residential towers of ~30+ stories being built at the same time. That would have to be a first for the city.
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10 years from now 80's/early 90's post-modern architecture will be as popular as mid-century modern is today. Hopefully it won't all be destroyed by then. St Louis has several very interesting examples of this style.stlgasm wrote: ↑Dec 13, 2017I love the design too-- it's sleek and striking, and I think the contrast with older high-rises along Kingshighway will be refreshing and commanding. I'm sure we're all in agreement that St. Louis' historic architecture is among the most impressive in the country. 'Boring' and 'uninspired' definitely describes a lot of the newer faux-historic schlock that dominated new construction in the city up until recently (i.e. lots of infill throughout the city, and high-profile examples such as the Orion in the CWE where Whole Foods is located, barf).
I'm a fan of the Southwestern Bell (AT&T) tower, and I've grown to love Metropolitan Square in all its bulky ongepatchke** glory. It's definitely one of the purest specimens of late '80s skyscraper architecture to be found anywhere in the country. Our downtown skyline is definitely deceiving-- considering that St. Louis is such an old city, the skyline is almost completely dominated by mostly nondescript boxes from the '70s and '80s. Typical skyline views give the impression that St. Louis is more modern than it is, yet outdated all at once!
**ongepatchke is Yiddish for "gaudy"
Hands-down, much of St. Louis' really historic and traditional architecture is beautiful and distinguishable from other cities.
However, St. Louis needs a lot more modern and daring structures - including high-rises - to give the region a balanced architectural appeal to the world. Think Paris. Think London. Think NYC. Wanting things to remain "status quo" reeks of stagnation and fear - in my opinion.
It is very possible for St. Louis to maintain its historic architectural character while taking design risks that illustrate it's a progressive hip place - AND that it's still St. Louis.
One Hundred is going to encapsulate this best.
No other city - I am willing to bet - will dopple-gang (ie. copy) One Hundred. It will be uniquely St. Louis.
However, St. Louis needs a lot more modern and daring structures - including high-rises - to give the region a balanced architectural appeal to the world. Think Paris. Think London. Think NYC. Wanting things to remain "status quo" reeks of stagnation and fear - in my opinion.
It is very possible for St. Louis to maintain its historic architectural character while taking design risks that illustrate it's a progressive hip place - AND that it's still St. Louis.
One Hundred is going to encapsulate this best.
No other city - I am willing to bet - will dopple-gang (ie. copy) One Hundred. It will be uniquely St. Louis.
I still find it very strange that no new renderings have been released. Don't they have to do that when applying for permits and stuff? Are we even sure that the design hasn't changed since the first (and only) rendering?
There are additional ones the company said. They will be released when the Press Release goes our announcing the groundbreaking of the project. I wish I could’ve seen them but they won’t share them until then.framer wrote:I still find it very strange that no new renderings have been released. Don't they have to do that when applying for permits and stuff? Are we even sure that the design hasn't changed since the first (and only) rendering?
"No other city - I am willing to bet - will dopple-gang (ie. copy) One Hundred. It will be uniquely St. Louis"
Ha. See what you did there?
Ha. See what you did there?
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Went by last night, there is orange construction fencing up around a portion of the center of the parking lot.
FWIW, the West End Word's construction roundup lists the One Hundred at 38 stories, and 400 feet.
http://www.westendword.com/Articles-New ... t-End.html
http://www.westendword.com/Articles-New ... t-End.html
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I think this is the most exciting time for construction and renovations in the region since the 80's. It's a really transformative time for us.
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Whats even more exciting is all the new historic rehab thats still going on in the city now combined with new modern construction has downtown seen such a total construction boom like this of old and new?
Does anyone think Opus will take another gander on the CWE or even downtown? I'm just hoping 100 isn't it for the CWE
Does anyone think Opus will take another gander on the CWE or even downtown? I'm just hoping 100 isn't it for the CWE
My guess is that the next development news will come as Euclid opens/One Hundred starts.
Depends how fast people eat up Citizen Park and Euclid.
I'm not necessarily "worried" about the CWE anymore. Not like I ever was, but the area and lifestyle it enables seems semi-recession proof.
Still excited to see what comes at the corner of Lindell and Kingshighway. No doubt, it'll be amazing.
Depends how fast people eat up Citizen Park and Euclid.
I'm not necessarily "worried" about the CWE anymore. Not like I ever was, but the area and lifestyle it enables seems semi-recession proof.
Still excited to see what comes at the corner of Lindell and Kingshighway. No doubt, it'll be amazing.