I'm sorry to see the old wing gone, but heartended by the owner's stated desire to save the remaining portion. I hope they mean it. That building is very cool, and a big part of the history of St. Louis Hills.
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City board approves renovations for St. Louis Hills Office Center
By Jim Merkel
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 3:18 AM CDT
After years of neglect, a Chippewa Street landmark may regain its former vibrance.
Owners of the vacant St. Louis Hills Office Center at 6500 Chippewa Street last week received preliminary approval from the St. Louis Board of Adjustment to do interior and exterior renovations on the five-story brick building.
In meeting with neighbors, they also have resolved some, but not all of the concerns of surrounding residents about traffic, parking and other issues.
Link
Some facade work is being done on the low-rise addition along Watson. Good sign, but I'd sure like to see something happen on the main building.
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So, I've noticed 'some' work being done on the buildings and lot, but what is taking SO long? Some contractors could have demolished and rebuilt this building by now. This is, by far, the slowest process ever. Are they removing asbestos or Lead paint or something of that nature, that is causing the process to take forever?
What exactly is the plan for this building? is there a plan to make the parking lot closer to the street level of Chippewa?
What exactly is the plan for this building? is there a plan to make the parking lot closer to the street level of Chippewa?
Some serious work going on now. There's a 3-story steel framework going up on the site of the demo'd portion. Not sure how big it's going to be, but it's good to see something happening.
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Any word on what if any retailers have shown interest in the street level stores west of the 5 story building? Any word on tenants for the 5-story? The comic book store moved on Hampton near the BP and Donut store. Now they have have 3 stores to fill, not to mention 5 stories of office space. I dont think they'll find it hard to fill the offices with docs and dentists etc..likely just juggling back and forth from other older offices, but the 3 retail stores will be the toughest to fill. I would think that St. Louis Hills would nix any plans for the typical nail salon, payday loan,mattress outlet or tax service. I'm hoping for real businesses like an Ed Jones, reality companies, law offices (not the shady kind), accountants etc.... Let's hope the parking lot is well done and adequate. You'd hate to see the lot so full from the office building, that retail customers can't park.
This place is looking great. The new east facade really stands out heading west on Chippewa.
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The windows of the front staircase along Chippewa are boarded up.
I'm curious if they are getting rid of the front windows altogether, or if they will be replacing the old windows with new.
I hope they keep the windows that face Chippewa. I liked the relief the glass brought to the front facade, without the glass it feels a little heavy.
I'm curious if they are getting rid of the front windows altogether, or if they will be replacing the old windows with new.
I hope they keep the windows that face Chippewa. I liked the relief the glass brought to the front facade, without the glass it feels a little heavy.
I totally agree! If I am not mistaken that face of the building orients north, so it should not be too big of a solar gain issue to keep the glass.olvidarte wrote:The windows of the front staircase along Chippewa are boarded up.
I'm curious if they are getting rid of the front windows altogether, or if they will be replacing the old windows with new.
I hope they keep the windows that face Chippewa. I liked the relief the glass brought to the front facade, without the glass it feels a little heavy.
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This has been one of the longest, most drawn out construction projects I have ever seen.
I'd like to see the revamped original 'St. Louis Hills Office Center' sign put back up.
I also hope they can get good tenants in the detached retail stores. I noticed they demolished one of the three buildings. I assume they are going to put a parking lot in the middle of the two buildings still left. I assume that is the only way they can make the 2 retail buildings viable. Let's hope this project gets done soon and new tenants move in.
I'd like to see the revamped original 'St. Louis Hills Office Center' sign put back up.
I also hope they can get good tenants in the detached retail stores. I noticed they demolished one of the three buildings. I assume they are going to put a parking lot in the middle of the two buildings still left. I assume that is the only way they can make the 2 retail buildings viable. Let's hope this project gets done soon and new tenants move in.
In my dreamworld Chris LaRocca would reopen Wrap Rage in one of them.DogtownBnR wrote:
I also hope they can get good tenants in the detached retail stores.
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The tenant in the building farthest west will be The Future Antiques, which is relocating from Morgan Ford in Tower Grove South due to landlord issues.erina wrote:In my dreamworld Chris LaRocca would reopen Wrap Rage in one of them.DogtownBnR wrote:
I also hope they can get good tenants in the detached retail stores.
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I drove by yesterday. The new store looks awesome! It has a nice selection of antiques. It looks VERY retro. They put the rear-end of a 57' Chevy in the window. Looks VERY cool and almost 'Loopish' for lack of a better term. I am VERY happy to see a good tenant go into this space. Now, if they can only fill the rest of the space with good tenants!
The glass is FINALLY going in the 3-story front stairway. Can't believe they left it open for so long.
Framer, I believe the developer truly believes in pay as you go. Just thinking how long it took him to get the old Webster Grove theater rebuilt, or how long its going to take myself to rehab my new old home, or if you ever go in and out of Alabama they apply the same principle to road construction.framer wrote:The glass is FINALLY going in the 3-story front stairway. Can't believe they left it open for so long.
The plus side is probably a lot less risk of foreclosure and lot more attention to detail. The downside of course, your on bama time.
This makes the Century Garage look like Sullivan. Chippewa is an autocentric mess. If any new construction happens it needs aldermen who know what they're doing. What we've seen under these two I am very skeptical.
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Cores States Group, a Georgie-based architecture and engineering firm has relocated its local office from Crestwood to here...
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... -firm.html
Currently, the local office employs 12 and has plans to add six employees over the next few years.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... -firm.html
Currently, the local office employs 12 and has plans to add six employees over the next few years.
^ I also seem to recall another firm moving from the county not long ago to an office on Chippewa just west of Ted Drewes... anyone recall details of that?
I was back in St. Louis a few weeks ago and my impression on driving past the St. Louis Hills Office Center is how well this turned out and looked even without its wing. Who knows, maybe one day they will entertain a parking/office structure on the surface lot to compliment the existing building.
If not mistaken, wasn't it the same person who was rehabbing the old Webster Groves Theater which to me seem as old and stale when I drove by it.
If not mistaken, wasn't it the same person who was rehabbing the old Webster Groves Theater which to me seem as old and stale when I drove by it.