urbanSTL

Save the San Luis: www.noparkinglotonlindell.com



Flier!



We will be doing flier distribution Saturday after work. PM for more info.

Not related to keeping these standing, but has anyone noticed how the apartment building across Lindell almost mirrors the odd design of these? It's the black and tan apartment building.



Also, San Luis is completely empty right? Why are some lights still on in the complex?

Lyda Krewson is the alderman (woman), but her hands are pretty much tied. Since the Archdiocese owns the building, no one can tell them what to do or not to do with the property.



There is a growing movement pushing for preservation, and I'm sure others on this forum can tell you how to get involved.



As of now, the building's fate is unknown, awaiting a new Archbishop.

There are many possibilities for this building among which include a hotel or residential. Demolition of this historic building for a parking lot would be an egregious affront to the Central West End National Register Historic District and detriment to the greater Central West End Neighborhood.



This building might be more of an acquired taste, however we shouldn't go around demolishing stable, useful buildings due to architectural bias. If we do this then we're no better than George Hellmuth of HOK who said "The Buder, Title Guaranty, and International Buildings are the three ugliest buildings in town" (Gateway Mall Scrapbook, 65). Real Estate Row was then subsequently demolished and for what!



We shouldn't defer solely to the preferences of personalities or institutions. How much damage have we seen already because we were told a given building was obsolete or that a replacement would maximize economic development? It's a ridiculous notion and we may also look to the Century Building as another fine example of this failed ideology. That decision categorically failed to spur development in the Old Post Office District.



Demolition of the San Luis will erase a fine example of Midcentury Modernism and a connection to our past. A parking lot squanders the economic gains achieved from reuse into a hotel complimented with a cafe/restaurant. If the San Luis were put back into use as hotel it would serve the internationally acclaimed Cathedral Basilica-St. Louis, St. Louis University, and the Central West End as a whole. Located on a Metrobus line, less than a mile from Metrolink light rail, and with easy access to the new Highway 64, the centrally located San Luis would serve local, regional, and international clients.



Thanks to Paul Hohmann for locating the above image.

What the hell are we going to do??? We have to get together soon and figure out a plan of action.