urbanSTL

It is essential that this demolition permit go through preservation review. The applicant possibly could seek emergency status that would thwart review of the decision to wreck a contributing resource to a national historic district.

Since the fallen walls don't even face cobblestoned North First Street, I would like to see a modern design for those walls facing the river and bridges, while restoring the western wall still intact as the facade along North First. Plus, if it were a modern design for collapsed sections, the argument on it being too costly to restore the building should go away. In other words, restore only the western facade along North First as a compromise to the Landing's historic district. If successful, a blend of new and old could rise on the Landing's many surface parking lots and vacant lots (one just north of this building) as well.

southslider wrote:Since the fallen walls don't even face cobblestoned North First Street, I would like to see a modern design for those walls facing the river and bridges, while restoring the western wall still intact as the facade along North First. Plus, if it were a modern design for collapsed sections, the argument on it being too costly to restore the building should go away. In other words, restore only the western facade along North First as a compromise to the Landing's historic district. If successful, a blend of new and old could rise on the Landing's many surface parking lots and vacant lots (one just north of this building) as well.

That's what I'd like to see- the existing building preserved as much as possible, but with a modern eastern facade using lots of glass, and some steel to pay homage to the adjacent Eads Bridge, which would offer residents unparalleled views of Mississippi River activity.



I am concerned that there's apparently a movement afoot to bypass preservation review. Unfortunately it seems all too common in St. Louis and Missouri: If you don't think democracy is going to work in your favor, use whatever backroom manuevers and machinations you can to get what you want and damn the process that people have put into place for the betterment of the community. Keep in mind that we were told the Century Building is unsafe because it might topple in an earthquake. You could use the same flawed logic to demolish just about every building in the city.

The modern/brick combo is something I've always been a fan of. I'd like to see that on the Landing. I think the Landing is a place where you could easily start to mix in more modern looking architecture and get away with it.



Something similar to the building going up on Tucker and Wash Ave would look good, the combo of large glass panes with brick.

Fun fact - the building that houses Show-Me's has a modern facade, but an interior as old as the other buildings on the Landing.

Metro wants the building demolished, because they are afraid it will collapse onto the MetroLink station in the Eads Bridge.

I think Metro has a real concern - but I can't understand why historic tax credits aren't being made available. I'm glad to hear that Rothschild isn't the once requesting demo.

He could probably make a pretty penny selling the bricks from the building too. I doubt that they will be used to on whatever is built on that site though without the historic tax credits, but there is a big market for historical bricks.

Switzer building to come down, as rehab plans stall

By Rebecca Roussell

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

03/27/2007



A local developer's efforts to rehab the historic Switzer Candy Co. building on Laclede's Landing are stalled, as the building faces partial demolition.



The 133-year-old, 70,000-square-foot building at 612 North First Street, had been targeted for a $15 million renovation as a six-story mixed-use development called Switzer Lofts. Originally, the work was supposed to be completed this month.



Redevelopment plans hit a roadblock after the building took a hard hit during July's severe storm — damaging close to 80 percent of the building's interior support structures and about 65 percent of the exterior.



"July 19 (is) a day that will go down in infamy," said Richard Darragh, a partner with St. Louis-based Clarinet LLC, the developer of the project.



Darragh said he tried to preserve the entire building, but it was not feasible. The building is even unsafe for inspection crews to enter.



Link to Entire Article

I hope they can at least save the south-facing wall with the Switzer licorice advertisement on it. It'd be a shame to have that part of history demolished as well. The article does say they are going to partially demolish the building so I hope there is some structural integrity left to the building so that the when the wrecking ball hits the rest of it doesn't tumble down onto the Eads bridge.

What a shame. Maybe if the project had been done like it was supposed to this building may have not come down in the storm.

southcity wrote:What a shame. Maybe if the project had been done like it was supposed to this building may have not come down in the storm.

That's what I thought when I read that article.



Aren't the odds of saving the south-facing wall with the distinctive Switzer mural rather slim, considering that it's the wall closest to Metrolink?



Naturally, I hope as much of the building can be saved as possible, but I wish there was as much urgency to renovate the building prior to July 19 of last year as there is to demolish it now, because like you said, maybe we wouldn't be discussing this scenario now.



I'm glad the developer is attempting to preserve as much of it as possible, but I'm not exactly sanguine about the final outcome.

Well, better take some pictures now. She's coming down next week.



MetroLink delays are expected next week due to demolition project

News-Democrat

Starting next week, nightshift commuters will experience delays on MetroLink due to the demolition of the historic Switzer building in St. Louis.



The Switzer Building, located next to the Laclede's Landing MetroLink Station, is about 25 feet from the Eads Bridge, which MetroLink uses to travel across the Mississippi River.

Link to Rest of Article

Doug wrote:How is it expected?

Go one page back in the thread.

Expected because this is St. Louis

Doug wrote:How is it expected?

I'm thinking back to the Century for this one...



When developers say a building cannot be saved, the city takes their word for it and down goes the building.



The Switzer Building is indeed in sorry shape- I've seen pictures and driven by it many times on the Eads Bridge approach. Maybe it cannot be saved, but I've seen similar buildings with one, two, even three of the walls down that were salvaged. The Drurys salvaged the Fur Exchange and Thomas Jefferson buildings at Fourth and Market after demolition was well underway, and now it's the Drury Plaza Hotel.



The Switzer Building was arguably the most recognizable building in Laclede's Landing, a neat reminder of the pre-Gateway Arch riverfront. I would have loved to see a reincarnation of the building that uses a modern facade facing the river to offer residents unparalleled views of the river, while preserving the distinctive mural and front facade. I only hope that its replacement matches it in size and scope, but I get the sinking feeling we're going to be looking at a vacant lot for the foreseeable future.