urbanSTL

^Don't start.

DeBaliviere wrote:

Framer wrote:The second-floor framing is well under way. It's all wood. They sure as hell better have 24-hour security on site.

I noticed that they appear to have cameras set up on the site; not sure if they have guards at night though.

Cameras aren't going to keep our sick friend(s) from burning this place to the ground. They better have guards, particularly as the framing is being completed. I would think their insurance company would demand it at this point.

They've already framed out a good portion of the third floor. I've noticed workers out there fairly early in the morning - 7ish.

Lets just pray they have some on site security to thwart any would be arson activity. The project itself is rather impressive, much larger than I expected.

Does anyone know the story behind the church building across Lafayette from this project? It's a huge, attractive building with some deterioration and what looks like nice terra cotta ornamentation.

^You're probably talking about the old German Society building (The Deutsches Haus). Last I heard, the Scientologists were going to renovate the building, but I haven't heard anything in a while.

Framer wrote:^You're probably talking about the old German Society building (The Deutsches Haus). Last I heard, the Scientologists were going to renovate the building, but I haven't heard anything in a while.

I'd almost prefer Desco get ahold of it.

As much as I dislike Scientology, their apparent upkeep of the Egyptian Temple in U.City give me hope for this building.

Well, I did say almost.





Let me see, would I rather roll around in broken glass or poke sharp sticks in my eye?

Now I been watching this bldg for a while now, somebody help me out, which unit would you want to live in? I'm stuck.

E or A for me - lots of windows and more character, but expensive.



[edit] The courtyard units may be quieter and if the courtyard is nicely designed and maintained it could even be a nice view, but I just have this thing about wanting to see my home as I approach it.

A looks over the exit ramp and E the Jeff/Laf intersection. I guess the view of he library might be ok. The scientology view might also be pretty good. Those center units I ve got questions on though.

Unit E would be awsome. On the other hand, I would never live in one of the interior "courtyard" units.

alphalfa wrote:Now I been watching this bldg for a while now, somebody help me out, which unit would you want to live in? I'm stuck.

No question, Unit I, hands down. No way would I want to have to look out over Jefferson and listen to all the nonsense that goes on on that street and at the gas station across the street.



By the by, as I said before, I am not sure how accurate those renderings and layout are. The two renderings conflict. I think the middle rendering jives with the layout, but I definitely wouldn't base any decisions on them.



Is that a solid wall between the courtyard and the exit ramp? Hope so.

Photos from 30 Nov 07:

Now that the full frame is up, this development really grabs your attention from Interstate 44!



I can think of several more intersections in the city where I'd love to see something with the size and scale of this development!

Mary "One" and her supposedly pending craptacular development on the northeast corner of Lafayette and Jefferson are going to hurt the values/sales of this place. That and the highway ramps, Jefferson Avenue, and the ghetto-ass gas station across the way. It is going to look nice and I applaud Gilded Age etc for going out on a limb and trying to build density at this location, but man I think this was a risky project. I hope it works out. BTW, I don't think the comparable (but on a "better" area of a nicer street) "Compton Gate" development over on Grand at Longfellow (?) has sold well at all.

Gilded Age has completed several "risky" projects. Both Eden Lofts and The Georgian were in iffy areas when first started. I wish more developers were willing to creatively work in edgy areas

southcitygent wrote:Gilded Age has completed several "risky" projects. Both Eden Lofts and The Georgian were in iffy areas when first started. I wish more developers were willing to creatively work in edgy areas.

So true. It's those with the guts to be aggressive in development who push Saint Louis forward. Meanwhile, Cordish-Cardinals & Co., who are sitting on a "can't lose" site with far deeper pockets, are hemming and hawing. Sad.



I really hope this place succeeds. It will expand the boundaries of areas considered "safe" or "nice."

Just a couple of points:



Don't you think Duffy-Nurenburger are feeling the effects of the Grand Ave arson every day. Think where they would be on sales if they were able to hit the market 12 months earlier. Not to mention the slow to non existent sales on Vail.



You have to take your hats of to the fellas at Gilded Age. No other developer would have touched the hospital, Eden, or the Aldie's lot. Now how they keep their heads above water is beyond me. At least the 2 former units are starting to fill, but golly its been a while coming.



I don't know if it includes the Citgo but Gilded Age does have development rights to the Jefferson Ave National site, so they can control their destiny somewhat regards the Union Club.



Finally, finally, how about some of you geniuses coming up with some ideas for the vacant lot that was Malcolm Bliss crazy hospital before Guilded Age announces a Toys R Us or similar. They have proposed a catering facility in the old power house or laundry I forget which.

Perhaps we should start a new thread along the lines of "Urbanist musings on possible uses for Malcolm Bliss site?" I think that would be fun. Although, I think that Gilded Age already has some sort of "plan" for that site, although their plans have proven to be somewhat fluid before. They do own the Foodland site and if they were smart they would initiate a long-term plan for both sides of Jefferson from Park to I-44. Incorporate the library and rebuild the street-wall on both sides, expand the sidewalks, make large raised pedestrian crossings or better yet a decorative over/underpass. The current development should be applauded, along with Gilded Age's willingness to take on other difficult projects, but the isolation of these condos and their position on an ugly stretch of Jefferson at the corner of I-44 and Ghetto-Gas may be an insurmountable obstacle unless they start to really alter the surrounding environment with focused planning.

^There are a lot shadier gas stations than that one. I only get approached only half the time when I'm there filling my tank. At the BP on Grand, north of I-44, I get approached just about every time.



Seriously, doing something with Foodland would really help things. If they started construction now, maybe it would be ready at the same time Jefferson opens back up.