Tear it all down and build an IKEA.
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^ Sorry, but WHAT!?!?!
These buildings can certainly be habitable - they just need a competent owner/management.
These buildings can certainly be habitable - they just need a competent owner/management.
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shadrach wrote:Tear it all down and build an IKEA.
I don't know if the city has enough allen wrenches to build its own IKEA.
Plus the directions for building the store are so confusing. When I built my IKEA store, I accendentially ended up having it filled with all this cheap swedish crap that you have to build yourself. By whaddya do?
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shadrach wrote:Tear it all down and build an IKEA.
That would be appropriate. Tear town crappy buildings to build a store that sells crap!
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I would like to see someone take over the buildings that can actually run them correctly. Someone that can take control and get that to be a place where you can be proud to live. I would hate to see them torn down. Its a part of the history of St. Louis. Not every building in the city is going to be loved by everyone. One thing I would like to check out is Blu and see what they did there. I would hate to see them go but I would like to see them in better shape.
Here we go again with the mid-century-architecture-haters.
If those buildings were torn down today, our kids will be berating us for it in the future. Just like we berate our parents for tearing down so much of the stuff they disliked.
Let's learn from our parents mistakes, not repeat them.
If those buildings were torn down today, our kids will be berating us for it in the future. Just like we berate our parents for tearing down so much of the stuff they disliked.
Let's learn from our parents mistakes, not repeat them.
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^I'm not sure how old you are, but I think I'm significantly younger than most on this board (possibly enough to be considered "kids"), and I certainly wouldn't bemoan anyone for razing these structures. Just an opinion, obviously, but there's architecture, and then there's plain old crap.
plaza square management filed for bankrupcty, management under a certain pearson under L.L.C (just typ l.l.lc under gooogle or yahoo do not use msn because you won't find this info) it is an insurrence. just READ ALL of what L.L.LC IS.
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reddragon wrote:plaza square management filed for bankrupcty, management under a certain pearson under L.L.C (just typ l.l.lc under gooogle or yahoo do not use msn because you won't find this info) it is an insurrence. just READ ALL of what L.L.LC IS.
I googled L.L.LC and received nothing. What version of Google are you using? 3.7? Or later?
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Plaza Square has historic designation now.
I think they're elegant. If they were torn down for something better, I wouldn't bemoan their loss so much either.
But we can count that out now. They're protected.
To me, it's a good sign that we're starting to legitimize our bastardized mid and post-mid century architecture.
I think they're elegant. If they were torn down for something better, I wouldn't bemoan their loss so much either.
But we can count that out now. They're protected.
To me, it's a good sign that we're starting to legitimize our bastardized mid and post-mid century architecture.
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MattnSTL wrote:Let's not start this again.
Start what? We're suppose to google L.L.LC. for more info about the Plaza Square bankruptcy and some insurance. I googled that and recieved nothing.
Framer wrote:Here we go again with the mid-century-architecture-haters.
If those buildings were torn down today, our kids will be berating us for it in the future. Just like we berate our parents for tearing down so much of the stuff they disliked.
Let's learn from our parents mistakes, not repeat them.
Thanks.....I can't believe people want to tear down these buildings.
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Expat wrote:Framer wrote:Here we go again with the mid-century-architecture-haters.
If those buildings were torn down today, our kids will be berating us for it in the future. Just like we berate our parents for tearing down so much of the stuff they disliked.
Let's learn from our parents mistakes, not repeat them.
Thanks.....I can't believe people want to tear down these buildings.
I certainly don't.
Framer wrote:Here we go again with the mid-century-architecture-haters.
If those buildings were torn down today, our kids will be berating us for it in the future. Just like we berate our parents for tearing down so much of the stuff they disliked.
Let's learn from our parents mistakes, not repeat them.
Well said.
I personally don't think they are the most attractive buildings out there but seeing what they've done with Blu reminds me that there is HUGE potential. Blu is a style and price point no other developer has taken a chance with so far (as far as I know). They've done such an amazing job over there! I hope Silverstone Development-Midwest, LLC has the opportunity (and desire) to take on the remaining buildings in Plaza Square.
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The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Expat wrote:Framer wrote:Here we go again with the mid-century-architecture-haters.
If those buildings were torn down today, our kids will be berating us for it in the future. Just like we berate our parents for tearing down so much of the stuff they disliked.
Let's learn from our parents mistakes, not repeat them.
Thanks.....I can't believe people want to tear down these buildings.
I certainly don't.
I think the point is not whether something should or should not be torn down in general, but whether something has an adaptive reuse. Some buildings do and some don't. I don't have a problem tearing something down for a new building/development that is designed to be sustainable. I think there is merit to architectural diversity these buildings bring, but if someone wanted to replace them with new residential towers/retail, I probably wouldn't complain too much.
Grover, there is an adaptive reuse for these buildings. As apartments or condos. I understand what you mean about replacing buildings with something better. However, I would prefer to update and maintain these buildings and add new high-rises to empty lots nearby. That way we have both, increasing the population and giving more choices.
I personally think it would be wasteful to tear down buildings that are essentially sound and that provide housing to a cross-section of people who can't afford the pricier condos/apartments downtown, especially when we already have an example that they can be effectively retrofitted and reused (Blu). These could certainly be marketed in part to a younger demographic that doesn't have quite as much expendable income, but that does have the buying power and spending habits to help support downtown retailers. Meanwhile, there are plenty of vacant lots to build new as the market demands.
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little help..
How many buildings make up this complex?
How many units?
How many buildings make up this complex?
How many units?
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The original complex consisted of 1090 units in 6 buildings, as well as the old Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building on Olive Street between 14th and 15th (which I now believe is a city courts building). At some point, the building at 17th and Olive was sold to Bethesda and was an apartment building for the elderly until it closed a few years ago. This same building is now the Blu Condominium.
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Maybe you should look up the word "amazing" in the dictionary. There's nothing amazing about its bland style. There's a sign in front that states, "Award-winning design," but I just don't see it. They must have given themselves that design award. I'm far more impressed by the architecture of the 7-Eleven across the street from it, and they have Slurpees too. The vibrant blue color clashes with the neighborhood. I'd rather live next to this:CMD+H wrote:Blu is a style and price point no other developer has taken a chance with so far (as far as I know). They've done such an amazing job over there! I hope Silverstone Development-Midwest, LLC has the opportunity (and desire) to take on the remaining buildings in Plaza Square.
to defend myself on the 'IKEA' comment--
everything I've heard about Plaza Square has not been good. It seems that it would cost more to fix them than to start over. And even if 'fixed,' they have a history that will cause a lot of people to avoid them. We may love modernist architecture but the average 20-30 something will see it PS as old crap when compared to the Skyhouse & Roberts and cool stuff like the Alexis and Meridian.
Regarding IKEA -- I was thinking along the lines of Atlantic Station in Atlanta. PS is a giant footprint that could be a great destination. Personally, I'd rather have the Bottle District there to strengthen the DT to Clayton corridor than stradling up north. Okay, I'm done.
everything I've heard about Plaza Square has not been good. It seems that it would cost more to fix them than to start over. And even if 'fixed,' they have a history that will cause a lot of people to avoid them. We may love modernist architecture but the average 20-30 something will see it PS as old crap when compared to the Skyhouse & Roberts and cool stuff like the Alexis and Meridian.
Regarding IKEA -- I was thinking along the lines of Atlantic Station in Atlanta. PS is a giant footprint that could be a great destination. Personally, I'd rather have the Bottle District there to strengthen the DT to Clayton corridor than stradling up north. Okay, I'm done.
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I like that most of the units have balconies, but you NEVER see anyone out on them enjoying the views.
Seems odd that nobody uses them.
I dont think I can ever remember seeing residents on their balconies..
maybe for the fireworks
More residential buildings downtown need balconies, good selling points.
Seems odd that nobody uses them.
I dont think I can ever remember seeing residents on their balconies..
maybe for the fireworks
More residential buildings downtown need balconies, good selling points.
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Around six years ago, I had a friend who briefly lived in one of the Plaza Square Apartments. When you're on the balcony, you look across to see the same hideous building that you're in. The grossest thing was when the kitchen sink would just fill up with slop coming from the other apartments--so she had to keep the drain tightly plugged. She also had birds living in her air conditioner.citywatcher wrote:I like that most of the units have balconies, but you NEVER see anyone out on them enjoying the views.
Seems odd that nobody uses them.
I dont think I can ever remember seeing residents on their balconies..
maybe for the fireworks
More residential buildings downtown need balconies, good selling points.
