urbanSTL

The apartment windows are much smaller than shown in the original rendering. Did something change during the approval process? 

framer wrote: ↑

Dec 17, 2019

The apartment windows are much smaller than shown in the original rendering. Did something change during the approval process? 

I agree, they do look smaller. I think the building came out very well, though.

I have not been by in person yet, but that ground floor street level interaction looks fantastic. Built up to the sidewalk, nice framing around the first floor. I am a fan of how this turned out from the pictures. Will try to get by this weekend to check it out.

A rare example of the final product being better than the initial rendering, as the red brick is much nicer than the initially indicated grey.

Hopefully this project works and they can repeat the process.

framer wrote: ↑

Dec 17, 2019

The apartment windows are much smaller than shown in the original rendering. Did something change during the approval process? 

Yes.  They realized how much more expensive those tall windows are.

I really like the retail base, and overall, it's a good looking building.  But the small windows and the meager cornice look awkward, and aren't appropriate for the Victorian-era buildings it intends to, um, characterize.

As a neighbor, I love how this building turned out even with construction taking forever. We need a few more of these on underutilized lots, especially across from Llywelens (which I think the same developer is planning a similar building) and at the parking lot next to Molly’s/1860s at a minimum. I’m curious what retail will move in as the neighborhood is very particular on types of businesses and bars.

Anyone see any marketing or leasing information? I’m surprised no pre-leasing efforts have been made, but I assume leasing will go fast as it’s in Soulard.


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Looks great! Any idea what leasing is like on this?

Finally some leasing information.


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A few photos from the listings for the apartments: 

To whom can we donate the bricks to in order to finish the other two sides lol.

It's still just so absurd to me that developers can't fork over the small amount of money for some veneer.

bwcrow1s wrote: ↑

Mar 16, 2020

To whom can we donate the bricks to in order to finish the other two sides lol.

It's still just so absurd to me that developers can't fork over the small amount of money for some veneer.

In this case it doesn't bother me as much. At least it wraps around enough so that it doesn't look like they totally cheaped out and cut every corner. 
Also, while such a large building built 100 years ago probably would have been 100% masonry, there's a rich history of smaller Soulard buildings having partial wood/siding rear elements - probably from the era of kitchens being prone to burning down. 

Here some pictures of this project that I took today.

I find it to be quite handsome but still wish the windows were slightly larger. It's a surprise that retail space is still vacant here with no hopes to get it filled soon because of corona. I wonder if they'll consider repurposing, all or some of, the retail space for something else, like townhouse apartments, a fitness center, or something else. Maybe they'll try and get a neighborhood amenity in there.

The units themselves don't look half bad. https://www.1001russell.com  

Wish the 2bed were slightly bigger; maybe another 300sq feet with a enough for a dining room area or a den. My current 2bd is 2000sq feet and I use all of it

It's definitely not a bad looking building, but I agree with the windows.  As we've all seen, though...could be way worse.  This stretch of Russell is definitely ready for retail whenever (if?) that makes sense again.  Joannie's is vacant, the old Johnny's/briefly Harpo's is vacant, the Morgan Ford Spa corner space will be vacant once they complete the renovation of the building just west of Bastille (they're moving in that when done), and then the retail spots in this building.

Not to derail the thread, but awhile back I spoke briefly with King Realty about their empty lot on 9th & Soulard.  The guy said they wouldn't start on that until 1001 Russell was done, but there were plans in place.  Obviously COVID has thrown a wrench into everything, but I wonder if those plans are still in place and if he meant "done" as in the also having retail spaces filled and constructed.  As of now the retail spaces are just an open void.

^Yeah, just look a few blocks down at 1400 Russell to see what a difference the appropriate height windows makes...

Or, for that matter, just look at the original rendering, lol:



Just noticed that much of the corner storefront got lost in the VE process as well.

Oh definitely.  I wonder if down the alley that was something, too?  Or maybe the leasing office.  Also worth noting...there is no railing on the sidewalk, and while the sidewalk is a decent width, the whole thing is at a slope besides one or two small spots.  Not sure how realistic it would be to set up outdoor seating unless they can account for the slope.

Is it still empty? It was last time I drove by (a couple weeks ago).

^ Yes.  The retail, anyways.  There are definitely people living in the apartments, though.  The retail sections don't even have walls or floors yet.

Which isn't shocking. St. Louis has a ton of available retail space as is, and a ton of small retail shops are struggling due to COVID. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes quite some time for these retail / restaurant spaces to fill out.

Laife Fulk wrote: ↑

Sep 16, 2020

Which isn't shocking. St. Louis has a ton of available retail space as is, and a ton of small retail shops are struggling due to COVID. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes quite some time for these retail / restaurant spaces to fill out.

Some commercial spaces should be converted to residential.  This one would be a good candidate.  Beats having empty spaces generating zero revenue for the developer.  Big picture, you wonder how mixed-use developments can succeed in the new normal.  Iron Hill, I'm looking at you.

^ Wouldn't be the first time it's happened in the neighborhood.  The other ones I've seen are not in brand new buildings, sure, but you can tell they were retail spots previously. I can think of 5 or 6 just off the top of my head that I see walking around.  Part of me wishes they'd convert back to retail, but I'm sure the demand to live in Soulard is far greater than another bar or any other kind of business.

I've lived in Soulard for more than 2 decades and am struggling to think of any consumer retail space that's seen long-term success. I am not talking bars/restaurants, but stores.  There's been a few barbers and salons, but that's it.

All-in-all, and I hate to say it, but I don't know when this space will be rented. COVID, Amazon, etc.  There are multiple vacant restaurant spaces already. 

soulardx wrote: ↑

Sep 16, 2020

I've lived in Soulard for more than 2 decades and am struggling to think of any consumer retail space that's seen long-term success. I am not talking bars/restaurants, but stores.  There's been a few barbers and salons, but that's it.

All-in-all, and I hate to say it, but I don't know when this space will be rented. COVID, Amazon, etc.  There are multiple vacant restaurant spaces already. 

The only non-gas station, non-Market retail that comes to mind is Vincent's and Riley's Flowers. And Globe Drug, but that's in Kosciusko. 

Hopefully the planned 320 unit building at Marion & S. 7th - which appears to include no retail space - will help support some additional businesses in/around the Market.

^There's also the quirky shop on 12th and Victor and a couple of professional services (dentist on 12th, yoga studio on Menard, Chiropractor on Barton), but yeah it's definitely not a retail neighborhood.