The Mercantile Library Block

Tim · PostJul 16, 2019#512019-07-16T16:22+00:00

I think the entrance is so bizarre, but my wife thought it was kind of cute. She mentioned that the only thing missing was a pink flamingo.

But yeah, between the "grass", garden window, pitched garage roof, and brickwork/siding, I just don't know what to say or think. Having your own private garage is pretty darn cool though if you ask me.

Mr. Hayden's developments could use that extra 5% to really tighten up the final work product. They need a good quality assurance person to visit his properties to call these things out before his workers move on to something else. I work in one of his buildings, and am constantly finding lackluster finishing in recently renovated areas. They spend all this time and effort to renovate, and then don't complete the last 5% to not leave things looking half-assed.

framer · PostJul 16, 2019#522019-07-16T16:32+00:00

Reminds me of this underground bomb shelter/suburban home:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/ ... 502a4a726f

symphonicpoet · PostJul 17, 2019#532019-07-17T05:26+00:00

^That reminds me of some kind of feature from a sixties mall. I'd swear there are corners of either Parkade in Columbia or the mall in Jeff City that were once like that. (And might still be. I haven't been to either in a few years.)

m2tbone · PostJul 23, 2019#542019-07-23T04:26+00:00

symphonicpoet wrote:^That reminds me of some kind of feature from a sixties mall. I'd swear there are corners of either Parkade in Columbia or the mall in Jeff City that were once like that. (And might still be. I haven't been to either in a few years.)

Yes, I think you might be right. It also reminds me of either Parkade Plaza or Biscane Mall in Columbia (as I remember it from the 80s).

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symphonicpoet · PostJul 23, 2019#552019-07-23T05:12+00:00

Geeze, I can almost forget about Biscayne at this point, it's so long gone. Used to stop into a train store there every now and then, and the dollar theatre when it was there.

chriss752 · PostJul 27, 2019#562019-07-27T05:10+00:00

I don’t like the huge STLLUXURY.com sign on the Broadway side. I would’ve taken the sign down. I also hope that they install new glass on the first and second floors.

The side facing Olive will have recessed balconies.

framer · PostJul 27, 2019#572019-07-27T16:37+00:00

Sure could use some power-washing.

Trololzilla · PostJul 28, 2019#582019-07-28T07:30+00:00

If they do end up just leaving the facade the way it is, does the city have any recourse to, in essence, force them to power wash/clean up appearances? It doesn't seem like it would be a 'nuisance', strictly speaking, so I'd imagine that's out of the question.

quincunx · PostAug 30, 2019#592019-08-30T15:25+00:00

Some of this is like nails on a chalkboard.
But no tax incentives! Huzzah!

Stltoday- Your garage in a garage: Developer Brian Hayden's latest project brings the suburbs downtown

“We’re hoping we get another generation of people moving to the city who might not have before because they’re always thinking about their car.”

https://www.stltoday.com/business/local ... 99e6f.html

sc4mayor · PostAug 30, 2019#602019-08-30T15:33+00:00

^ Yeah, that's pretty bad.

Sounds like he wants to do the same to the Masonic Temple on Lindell...

quincunx · PostAug 30, 2019#612019-08-30T15:48+00:00

:/

In order to make the numbers work, and not resort to using tax incentives, Hayden said he opted to use the more valuable building exterior as apartments to subsidize the large parking area.

SouthCityJR · PostAug 30, 2019#622019-08-30T18:59+00:00

I personally thought the personal garage idea was stupid, but then I heard a group of my younger co-workers talk about it. They currently live in Downtown, and love the idea. Maybe this guy is onto something?

If this guy can get his projects done w/o tax abatement seems like the bar has to be raised pretty high to give tax abatement to any other future downtown developers.

urbanitas · PostAug 30, 2019#632019-08-30T23:29+00:00

quincunx wrote: :/

In order to make the numbers work, and not resort to using tax incentives, Hayden said he opted to use the more valuable building exterior as apartments to subsidize the large parking area.

Ya, I didn't understand that quote. "Opted to use...as apartments..." As opposed to what? All parking?

PostAug 30, 2019#642019-08-30T23:35+00:00

SouthCityJR wrote: I personally thought the personal garage idea was stupid, but then I heard a group of my younger co-workers talk about it. They currently live in Downtown, and love the idea. Maybe this guy is onto something?

If this guy can get his projects done w/o tax abatement seems like the bar has to be raised pretty high to give tax abatement to any other future downtown developers.

He is definitely onto something, especially with the adaptive reuse of ugly buildings. I just don't think there are many situations where the personal garage thing is going to be viable, or an efficient use of space.

framer · PostAug 31, 2019#652019-08-31T01:04+00:00

A friend of mine pointed out that the personal garages could also be used as extra storage space. That could come in handy for lots of folks.

stlnative · PostNov 20, 2019#662019-11-20T14:42+00:00

Man, i'm starting to think that maybe Hayden is actually an architectural genius. What everyone should be doing is creating the best looking building for the users, only looks good from the inside out. Who cares what the exterior appearance is if the paying user only sees nice stuff when they're in it!

Holy sh*t what a face palm. I wonder if the MFG (probably a residential grade Menards company) gave them a warranty for this install.

kinger · PostNov 20, 2019#672019-11-20T16:07+00:00

After he didn't even touch the facade at 1014 Locust, my expectations were low. But this comes in below my lowest threshold. Unbelievable.

Tim · PostNov 20, 2019#682019-11-20T17:18+00:00

It's a kinetic art installation...

chaifetz10 · PostNov 20, 2019#692019-11-20T18:26+00:00

How much would a metal or decorative screen cost to at least hide this? Surely no more than a few hundred bucks.

danke0 · PostNov 20, 2019#702019-11-20T19:49+00:00

Maybe garage doors are reversible, but it looks inside out to me. (Obviously, ok now I get it. Nevermind!)

Tim · PostNov 20, 2019#712019-11-20T20:18+00:00

^^ I had that same thought - some sort of rectangular "box" to cover the motor/spring mechanism might help a bit. But don't count on it!

urbanitas · PostNov 20, 2019#722019-11-20T23:41+00:00

I am curious as to why there are similar size openings in the two stories directly above the garage door...mechanical car lift? (just kidding, sort of)

PlatinumBlues · PostNov 20, 2019#732019-11-20T23:54+00:00

Is this building actually going to get power washed or is it going to remain looking dirty just curious

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urban_dilettante · PostNov 21, 2019#742019-11-21T03:08+00:00

^^ maybe just ventilation? didn't he turn the first couple of floors into a garage? i'm surprised he didn't just smash the glass out and be done with it.

symphonicpoet · PostNov 21, 2019#752019-11-21T05:37+00:00

^Is there any chance that's temporary? Having the cable, drum, track, and wheels exposed to the elements won't do wonders for their working life. Surely that can't be a permanent and intentional install. There's just no way. I can't even believe it would be a good idea from a security standpoint.

Edit: You can see hangers for an awning of some kind hanging down next to the thing on either side. This has to be temporary. It's got to be a construction entrance. They removed the awning and put in a temporary cheap door so they could get large equipment in and out of the building while keeping it sorta secure and heated.

The Mercantile Library Block

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