The Laurel (Stix/Dillard's Building)- 625 Washington Ave.

debaliviere · PostOct 10, 2007#1762007-10-10T18:21+00:00

Grover wrote:So is it true that the Laurel is built upon a Native American burial ground and that 34 inches of garlic infused molten steel has been poored in the basement to entrap the undead? (just trying to dispel a possible misconception - and check for a sense of humor - welcome! )

I think I read on snopes.com that that is not true.

Anyway, Welcome, Jay! I hope you'll let us be the first to know when the skybridge is coming down.

the laurel at mx · PostOct 10, 2007#1772007-10-10T18:48+00:00

Grover wrote:
The Laurel at MX wrote:Hello! My name is Jay Hederman and I am the sales manager for The Laurel Condominiums. I look forward to answering questions, correcting misconceptions, and providing updates about this exciting new development.

Our sales center and professionally designed display are now open daily:

Monday through Friday - 11am to 6pm

Saturday and Sunday - 11am to 5pm

We are located at 625 Washington Avenue (corner of 7th and Washington). You can reach us by phone at 314-241-3900.

Thank you and I hope you'll all visit soon!

So is it true that the Laurel is built upon a Native American burial ground and that 34 inches of garlic infused molten steel has been poored in the basement to entrap the undead? (just trying to dispel a possible misconception - and check for a sense of humor - welcome! )

Well...I have been down to the basement (which currently has kind of a Blair Witch vibe), but other than some old Dillard's Christmas ornaments, it was pretty much cleaned out.

stlmike · PostOct 10, 2007#1782007-10-10T19:16+00:00

Can you reveal any potential retail interests?

debaliviere · PostOct 10, 2007#1792007-10-10T19:23+00:00

The web site is showing 11 out of 72 units reserved (15%).

MattnSTL · PostOct 10, 2007#1802007-10-10T19:24+00:00

That's good to see. Seemed like there was a lot of interest at the opening. It appears that interest turned into some sales.

the laurel at mx · PostOct 10, 2007#1812007-10-10T20:53+00:00

stlmike wrote:Can you reveal any potential retail interests?

A hotel has signed a letter of intent, but we won't have things firmed up (and ready to announce) for a few months. The hotel wants to put a restaurant (preferably a national chain with no other locations in St. Louis) on the SW corner of the first floor (closest to the convention center) and I've heard talk of an independent spa. That would still leave a lot of space for other local and national retailers, which I wouldn't expect to be leased for a while. The anticipated occupancy date for the building is sometime in 2010.

threeonefour · PostOct 11, 2007#1822007-10-11T17:03+00:00

Jay, welcome to the forum! It's good to have your input here!

How intact is the appearance of the first floor? And are the original columns still there? I remember that the first floor had a vast, open feel when it was Stix Baer & Fuller. Then Dillard's renovated the space in 1984, which only made it seem much smaller and darker.

I don't know if there's enough space for a major retailer like Borders or Barnes & Noble on the first floor, but I'd love to see a significant national retailer at least on the SE corner of the building, because I remember entering Stix, and later Dillard's, from Sixth and Washington most of the time. If there's not enough room for a bookstore per se, I think it would be a great place for something like a smaller national retailer like Old Navy, H&M, etc.

And I guess there's no chance that any significant traces of Stix Baer & Fuller were left behind? I remember there were plaques between the display windows along Washington Avenue, not unlike those on the Railway Exchange Building that once identified Famous-Barr. At least Macy's simply covered the plaques with their own and had enough decency to keep the FB plaques on the corners- I'm pretty sure Dillard's just threw the SB&F stuff onto the scrap heap.

xing · PostOct 12, 2007#1832007-10-12T04:55+00:00

October 11th. nice base.

Alex Ihnen · PostOct 12, 2007#1842007-10-12T04:56+00:00

Way to rock the downtown photos!

xing · PostOct 12, 2007#1852007-10-12T05:00+00:00

I've got more. im uploading a bunch of construction photos. Ill be taking more tomorrow.

threeonefour · PostOct 12, 2007#1862007-10-12T05:01+00:00

That corner looks so much better already! Nice job with the sales center, Pyramid!

arch city · PostOct 12, 2007#1872007-10-12T18:19+00:00

ThreeOneFour wrote:That corner looks so much better already! Nice job with the sales center, Pyramid!

I agree. John Steffen For Mayor!!

the laurel at mx · PostOct 12, 2007#1882007-10-12T18:34+00:00

ThreeOneFour wrote:Jay, welcome to the forum! It's good to have your input here!

How intact is the appearance of the first floor? And are the original columns still there? I remember that the first floor had a vast, open feel when it was Stix Baer & Fuller. Then Dillard's renovated the space in 1984, which only made it seem much smaller and darker.

I don't know if there's enough space for a major retailer like Borders or Barnes & Noble on the first floor, but I'd love to see a significant national retailer at least on the SE corner of the building, because I remember entering Stix, and later Dillard's, from Sixth and Washington most of the time. If there's not enough room for a bookstore per se, I think it would be a great place for something like a smaller national retailer like Old Navy, H&M, etc.

And I guess there's no chance that any significant traces of Stix Baer & Fuller were left behind? I remember there were plaques between the display windows along Washington Avenue, not unlike those on the Railway Exchange Building that once identified Famous-Barr. At least Macy's simply covered the plaques with their own and had enough decency to keep the FB plaques on the corners- I'm pretty sure Dillard's just threw the SB&F stuff onto the scrap heap.

The ornate column capitals are intact on the firest floor above the (ugly) drop celing that Dillard's installed. The capitals occur throughout most of the building and most of the condominiums will feature at least one. We've replicated one for our display unit.

I'd be happy to let visitors take a peek at the unrestored original first floor ceiling if you stop in!

Inside, there isn't much evidence of Stix, Baer & Fuller besides the capitals. New exterior store front will be installed with historic details, but I haven't seen any drawings yet.

I will be happy to post retail updates once things are nailed down!

debaliviere · PostOct 12, 2007#1892007-10-12T18:54+00:00

^

WOW.

Thanks for the pic!

threeonefour · PostOct 12, 2007#1902007-10-12T19:45+00:00

The Laurel at MX wrote:The ornate column capitals are intact on the firest floor above the (ugly) drop celing that Dillard's installed. The capitals occur throughout most of the building and most of the condominiums will feature at least one. We've replicated one for our display unit.

Thanks for posting that picture- I've had a good day and that made it better!

I posted this piece earlier in the thread, but I thought I'd drag it out again to give everyone another brief glimpse of what the ground floor of SB&F looked like before Dillard's remodeled the space:

KSDK: February 1, 1984- Stix Baer & Fuller bought by Dillard's

Seriously, I wonder what the ____ Dillard's was thinking when they installed that drop ceiling? I guess much like St. Louis Centre, it was another misguided effort to replicate the suburbs in downtown. Bad idea. The store looked dreary and uninviting after the renovation, which was particularly sad since people were led to believe Dillard's would actually improve upon SB&F. Thankfully the changes Dillard's made weren't permanent!

tysalpha · PostOct 12, 2007#1912007-10-12T23:55+00:00

^ Well, to give Dillard's a little latitude, the "look" for department stores in the 80s was the low ceiling, smoke-mirrored colums, lots of horizontal slotwall, etc. A lot of suburban department stores dropped their ceilings from 14' to 12' or even 10' during the 80s. But like the lower level of the airport -- in retrospect it was all a bad idea to go for the "dungeon meets max headroom" look.

smsplanstu · PostOct 13, 2007#1922007-10-13T00:29+00:00

I remember photographs of downtown department stores from the 1920s and before showing a large shopping floor with the height of two stories or so and fantatsic colonades or hallways or even lobbies. Any chance at putting up pictures once drop ceilings are gone and before new wall framing are in?

debaliviere · PostOct 15, 2007#1932007-10-15T19:44+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:The web site is showing 11 out of 72 units reserved (15%).

Make that 13/72 - 18% reserved.

(Don't know if this figure is before or after this weekend's loft tours.)

moorlander · PostOct 15, 2007#1942007-10-15T21:49+00:00

The Laurel at MX wrote:
I'd be happy to let visitors take a peek at the unrestored original first floor ceiling if you stop in!

Inside, there isn't much evidence of Stix, Baer & Fuller besides the capitals. New exterior store front will be installed with historic details, but I haven't seen any drawings yet.

I will be happy to post retail updates once things are nailed down!

OMG...yes please

aimster · PostOct 16, 2007#1952007-10-16T13:40+00:00

It was nice meeting you at the loft tour, Jay!

The display's amazing. We went to the grand opening, but it was pretty crowded so we wanted to get a second look. I love the layout, and the full size laundry room is a huge bonus!

threeonefour · PostOct 16, 2007#1962007-10-16T17:12+00:00

My wife and I stopped in Saturday afternoon and checked out the sales center and display. (Jay, I was going to say hello, but you had some people seriously interested in the place at the time.)

It was one of our favorite places on the tour. The atrium and courtyards are going to be especially nice, and I was very pleased to see the columns that were replicated inside the display unit, which had a great layout and plenty of character.

It was a nice change to be in this building knowing that it's coming back to life, when seven years ago I was last in there for Dillard's final clearance sale, only to watch people fighting for heavily discounted clothes on the floor like vultures picking on a carcass.

I'd like to come by for a closer look some time even though I'm not in the market to move up just yet. The sales center and display unit were very busy when I was there, so I'd like to see more. I'd also say that The Laurel was one of the busier places I saw on the tour, which seems like a good sign. We know we really like it!

debaliviere · PostNov 06, 2007#1972007-11-06T01:24+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:Make that 13/72 - 18% reserved.

17/72 - 24% reserved.

zink · PostNov 06, 2007#1982007-11-06T03:59+00:00

There is a billboard for the laurel on the 40 heading west before the boyle exit.

mattonarsenal · PostNov 07, 2007#1992007-11-07T19:14+00:00

Also one heading east toward IL on the Poplar Street Bridge, right before you cross the river.

IL commuters will have plenty time to look at that billboard as they sit in traffic.

xing · PostNov 07, 2007#2002007-11-07T19:57+00:00

smart advertising on their part.^

The Laurel (Stix/Dillard's Building)- 625 Washington Ave.

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