San Luis Apartments/Parking Lot

harper1 · PostFeb 11, 2009#2262009-02-11T19:29+00:00

I'm sorry guys, but the building is a piece of crap. To modify it into something functional would be near impossible and very expensive. At some point you have to say a building has passed it's useful life and there are no alternative uses.

I love historic buildings and am involved in many historic rehabs; this building is not practical. All the purists need to realize that real estate is ultimately a business and preserving this building is not a wise business decision.

moorlander · PostFeb 11, 2009#2272009-02-11T19:58+00:00

to each his own, however a parking lot is unacceptable!

EDIT: FIXED!

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 11, 2009#2282009-02-11T20:00+00:00

Moorlander wrote:to each his own, however a parking lot is unexceptable.

Unacceptable even. I also do not believe that we should make an exception for a parking lot here - though it really wouldn't be an exception for the CWE . . . .

stlgasm · PostFeb 11, 2009#2292009-02-11T20:38+00:00

harper1 wrote:I'm sorry guys, but the building is a piece of crap. To modify it into something functional would be near impossible and very expensive. At some point you have to say a building has passed it's useful life and there are no alternative uses.

I love historic buildings and am involved in many historic rehabs; this building is not practical. All the purists need to realize that real estate is ultimately a business and preserving this building is not a wise business decision.

No offense, but this is a ridiculous assertion. Yeah, it's crappy because the Archdiocese didn't do sh*t to maintain the building. It's no crappier than the Hotel Indigo (Best Western) down the block, or the Washington Avenue Apartments downtown (Days Inn), and it's certainly in no worse shape than the Continental Building or the Statler before when they were bombed out shitholes. Enough of this mindless decimation of our urban fabric. No great city would ever replace this building with a surface parking lot-- it's absolutely absurd that this would be proposed for such a prime location. Have we learned nothing in the last 60 years?

mill204 · PostFeb 11, 2009#2302009-02-11T20:52+00:00

harper1 wrote:I'm sorry guys, but the building is a piece of crap. To modify it into something functional would be near impossible and very expensive. At some point you have to say a building has passed it's useful life and there are no alternative uses.

Given:

• The existing building is a piece of crap.

• Replacing the existing building with a surface parking lot would result in even more crap.

• People have a natural aversion to crap.

Therefore:

• Keeping the San Luis Apartments standing would be the least crappy alternative.

This is not to say that I think the SLA is a piece of crap.

moorlander · PostFeb 11, 2009#2312009-02-11T21:01+00:00

odd that someone involved in historic rehab would make such an ignorant comment. How many buildings in much worse condition have been saved in the past decade. The numbers typically don't work in these circumstances, that's why a variety of tax credits are made available.

MattnSTL · PostFeb 11, 2009#2322009-02-11T21:53+00:00

harper1 wrote:I'm sorry guys, but the building is a piece of crap. To modify it into something functional would be near impossible and very expensive. At some point you have to say a building has passed it's useful life and there are no alternative uses.

I love historic buildings and am involved in many historic rehabs; this building is not practical. All the purists need to realize that real estate is ultimately a business and preserving this building is not a wise business decision.

Based on who your email address says you are, I am shocked you would say that. I'm rather disappointed as well.

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 11, 2009#2332009-02-11T21:54+00:00

^ What's REALLY incredible is that there are more parking spaces now at the SLA than there would be with a surface. So why the H3LL don't they just use it has a freakin' parking lot for the being until a repurpose for the building can be found?

jivecitystl · PostFeb 12, 2009#2342009-02-12T00:54+00:00

Calling the San Luis a "piece of crap" is yet more justification to the common stereotype that the Midwest is full of unimaginative people with conventional and boring tastes. Some people just have trouble thinking outside the box.

doug · PostFeb 12, 2009#2352009-02-12T15:07+00:00

Who will be showing up?

matt drops the h · PostFeb 12, 2009#2362009-02-12T15:14+00:00

So, the ride with my friend fell through, but I am still working on it. I have an Enterprise car booked for today after work, but I am trying to drag the ball-and-chain with me, and that's proving to be a problem.

I am really hoping that, by 6pm today, I'll be on northbound I-55 headed for San Luis...err, Saint Louis.

chrisindowntown · PostFeb 12, 2009#2372009-02-12T15:23+00:00

in in in.

stlgasm · PostFeb 12, 2009#2382009-02-12T15:27+00:00

You guys rock. Driving in from New Orleans! That's dedication.

MattnSTL · PostFeb 12, 2009#2392009-02-12T17:24+00:00

I'll be there, of course. That's so awesome that you are driving up, Matt.

doug · PostFeb 12, 2009#2402009-02-12T18:06+00:00

We are making signs tonight but people should feel free to bring their own. And try to arrive 10-15 minutes early.

matt drops the h · PostFeb 12, 2009#2412009-02-12T19:12+00:00

MattnSTL wrote:I'll be there, of course. That's so awesome that you are driving up, Matt.

Trying to--not confirmed yet! But thanks.

I will find out here in a little bit whether it's a go or not.

threeonefour · PostFeb 13, 2009#2422009-02-13T07:30+00:00

I've got the flu, unfortunately, so all of my Valentine's Day plans are up in the air for now. If I feel better Saturday I'll see you all there.

matt drops the h · PostFeb 13, 2009#2432009-02-13T18:05+00:00

I'm in St. Louis!!

Therefore, I'm in!

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 13, 2009#2442009-02-13T18:09+00:00

^ That's a substantial power move. Any chance we can get Matt on KWMU or TV?

stlgasm · PostFeb 13, 2009#2452009-02-13T19:14+00:00

Hell yes! Matt, you're awesome.

doug · PostFeb 13, 2009#2462009-02-13T19:33+00:00

I'm pretty confident we have enough signs. But feel free to bring your own.

This is an historic occasion.

Be there.

urbanpioneer · PostFeb 13, 2009#2472009-02-13T22:13+00:00

I'm there.

framer · PostFeb 14, 2009#2482009-02-14T04:54+00:00

I hope you guys take photos and post them here for those of us who can't make it.

MattnSTL · PostFeb 14, 2009#2492009-02-14T05:11+00:00

Hey everyone. If you are coming tomorrow, please try to be at the San Luis by 11:45 am. If you would like to come a little earlier and flier for a bit, we are meeting outside of the Coffee Cartel at 10:45 am. I would imagine we will be a fairly obvious group if you do not know anyone.

goat314 · PostFeb 14, 2009#2502009-02-14T06:17+00:00

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/c ... enDocument

San Luis Apartments/Parking Lot

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