laboubet wrote: ... If this building was cleaned up, the storefronts restored, some street trees, the stucco painted a better color, this building could be a real asset to the streetscape.
I agree with laboubet's observation. This row could be made to look very nice indeed!
Framer wrote:Yikes! I never would have imagined that such a unique old building as this would have so many enemies on this forum!
I think part of what makes the most unique buildings so special is that few people consistently appreciate their beauty. So many buildings are valorized after their destruction because cultural guardians at the time of demolition had little interest in those buildings' style, architect, etc. I'm glad to know that, as indicated by comments here, more than a few people appreciate the Tudor Revival style and this building.
The Tudor Revival front on the Wrought Iron Range Company building is original. Removal would not only preclude the use of historic tax credits (any developer going to rehab a large old building without those?) but also would necessitate an expensive rebuilding of the front facade and side returns. Underneath the facade is common "stuffer" brick that is soft and not meant to be exposed to weather. A face brick would have to be applied over this brick, and all of the window and door openings would have to be re-framed. This is not impossible, but it is an unlikely expenditure for a developer who can't get historic tax credits.
Yep, that is definitely not some 70s or 80s stucco-ization. That is the real thing. Just because some buildings were given bad stucco jobs does not mean that every building with stucco on it is "fake" or bad. This building is the kind of style that others were trying to copy when they modernized their brick buildings with not-always-nice stucco updates.
Honestly, I am rather fond of this building. It's historic and it's cute. It's an example of how varied and unusual St. Louis's historic architectural stock can be. Not every old commercial building in St. Louis is going to look like the Century Building did, and not every old residential building in St. Louis is going to look like a perfectly restored Soulard red brick manse. That is what makes the city interesting, what makes its streetscapes so enjoyable and worthy of exploration, and what makes it different from the exurbs.
I love the standard red brick St. Louis historic building, too, but if every old building in St. Louis was a standard two story red brick 1890s house or shop of one style, and every new building was a standard dull Chicago North Loop style teal glass 30 story tower.... St. Louis would be a bland city indeed.
Personally, I really like this building. With a little TLC, some awnings out front, restored storefronts, and trees planted along the sidewalk, I think it will really look great.
DeBaliviere wrote:Personally, I really like this building. With a little TLC, some awnings out front, restored storefronts, and trees planted along the sidewalk, I think it will really look great.
Imagine how great this building would look if it was next to Bevo Mill
Tudor Retail Partners LLC was approved for up to $216,324 in remediation tax credits for redevelopment of the two-story Tudor Building at 1901-1933 Washington Ave., into retail and commercial office space, creating an estimated 65 jobs.
The property is slated for designation as "blighted" by the city of St. Louis under a proposed redevelopment plan. More than 90 percent of the building has not been occupied for at least 10 years.
ChrisInDownTown wrote:Will Paradise Salon remain OPEN?
Not sure if you're being serious or not but that place does some serious business! Just about every time I go by there it's packed. I would hate for a successful local business be forced to move just because it's not the type of business or clientele some would like.
Partly joking. I was joking mostly about the sign that is there saying that it's open. But seriously, no matter the time of day, there are ALWAYS people there.
Looks like Paradise Salon has moved out. I think it's across the street now, which will be good if it stays around. Maybe now work will begin on the Tudor project.
markinlondon wrote:Looks like Paradise Salon has moved out. I think it's across the street now, which will be good if it stays around. Maybe now work will begin on the Tudor project.
Nice, development on Washington is working its way to Jefferson. Wonder if it will ever go all the way to Grand... That would mean a thriving WashAve from the Fox to the river!
