urbanSTL

As a resident of LS, I think Gilded Age has done a world of good. Not sure why the pessism about this getting done? It will. Soda Fountain Square building, the beautiful condos on the corner of Miss. & Laf., The Georgian, Eden Lofts, the Abbey.... all have either completed or getting there. They have risked alot to get the neighborhood to where it is today.

Of all the neighborhoods in the city, I think Lafayette Square has passed the most hurdles (architecturally) in becoming the wonderful neighbohood it has. The infill is GREAT (not even to mention the wonderful rehabs) and the neighborhood is lively and urban while maintaining its wonderful old world charm. I fell in love with LS in 1965, when it was still literally a slum, before any rehabbing was done. Thank God for the Urban Pioneers!! Ten years later it was evident that LS was back, and with the recent activity in new infill and projects such as the Union Club, it can only get better. Each time I drive through LS I wonder to myself how many other cities in our country have such an assett...not many. Definately, a jewel not only of our city, but the entire country!!

I drove past the site on Lafayette and I saw a BSI construction trailer there and a backhoe. Maybe something will be starting soon.

Definitely a good sign.

MikeL wrote:I drove past the site on Lafayette and I saw a BSI construction trailer there and a backhoe. Maybe something will be starting soon.

Saw the same thing. Hopefully they start on the Mary One Plaza across the street sometime soon too.

Looks like a lot of dirt has been turned on the site.

I'll be glad when this starts to take shape (AND Mary One accross the street, of course).

Construction of the the Union Club has started with completion scheduled for November, 2008. Copies of the floor plans and photographs of both the first generation and second generation buildings of the original Union Club on the site can be viewed at: http://gilded-age.com.



Pre-construction pricing has been released and the sales office will be open at 1700 S. Jefferson starting July 1, 2007. Additional information is available from the new sales management staff:



Gilded Age, L.L.C.

sales@gilded-age.com

(314) 771-7171



Ryan S. Shaughnessy, General Counsel/Broker

Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C.

Sales Managers for Gilded Age, L.L.C.

ryan@gilded-age.com

(314) 771-7233 (broker's office)

Uh, just guessing that you're well-connected with Gilded Age - care to give us an update on the Laf Sq grocery store in the appropriate thread? Thanks. Personally I think the area will greatly benefit from this development - but like nearly everyone, I just want to see it done well.

Preservation wrote:Construction of the the Union Club has started with completion scheduled for November, 2008. Copies of the floor plans and photographs of both the first generation and second generation buildings of the original Union Club on the site can be viewed at: http://gilded-age.com.

Um, FYI, your website still says "available Winter 2007". And, not to be nitpicky, but the two renderings on the home page are obviously two different designs for the building. The bottom rendering matches the floor layout, so I assume that is what is getting built? Hope so, because it is a much better design. I love it, I just hope the actual building and materials live up to the rendering...

^I agree with you 100% re:that second rendering....and the reality of the materials to be used. If they follow through, this will be great infill.

This development is spectacular for rebuilding the street wall, adding more great housing, density, and of course a nice gateway building to the Lafayette Square neighborhood.



I bet we all can anticipate more great housing rehabs, mixed-use, and historic detailed developments to enhance the area further.



Rebuild St. Louis with distinction.

Great looking building (the 2nd rendering especially). I hope they buck-up and put a real tile or slate roof on it, as opposed to regular flat shingles like they did at The Georgian.



I can't see many people choosing one of those internal units that only looks out on the courtyard, though. But that's just me.

Framer wrote:Great looking building (the 2nd rendering especially). I hope they buck-up and put a real tile or slate roof on it, as opposed to regular flat shingles like they did at The Georgian.

I would be perfectly happy with one of these. You really can't tell the difference unless you look very close, they are much more durable than real slate, and they are cheaper!

I can only say that I wish the tornado had never hit!



BTW - is Gilded Age doing the SLU Law School expansion!

With the success of this project, maybe the Foodland will finally see redevelopment. And if groceries are moving to Gilded Age's strip center on Lafayette, maybe housing akin to the Union Club or Compton Gate Condos would work better on the Foodland site on Jefferson.

Those "fake slate" products sound promising. The key, IMO, is texture.

SMSPlanstu wrote:This development is spectacular for rebuilding the street wall, adding more great housing, density, and of course a nice gateway building to the Lafayette Square neighborhood.

You summed it up well. I'm glad to see that work is finally underway on this development.

Looks like they've started with the foundation - they seem to be moving quickly!

They have a tall chain link fence around the site, but it doesn't seem to be anything that could stop an arsonist, especially one that set his last fire by actually throwing some kind of fire bomb. I wonder if it has occurred to the police to stake this site out; seems like a logical step. At least put up some cameras.

I love this project. I remember first hearing about it, then looking at the site and then praying that it would happen.

I just drove by and WOW, the foundation is going up fast! This looks like it will be a very cool project, although I don't think I would want to live right on the 44 exit ramp.

TGE-ATW wrote:They have a tall chain link fence around the site, but it doesn't seem to be anything that could stop an arsonist, especially one that set his last fire by actually throwing some kind of fire bomb. I wonder if it has occurred to the police to stake this site out; seems like a logical step. At least put up some cameras.

Yeah, no kidding. I didn't see any security last time I drove by late at night. So what is the total construction time of framing this building out, cleaning up the charred remains of said framing, and then rebuilding it? Shall we just assume a Spring '09 opening?

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

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.