Hey folks! New forum member looking for some perspective on this intersection. I currently live in Tower Grove South and am considering a move to Benton Park. I don't know the neighborhood too well, but from walking around it seems really nice. The place I'm looking at is a block or two off of the Gravois/Jefferson intersection, and aside from the nightmarish experience of crossing it I'm wondering if anyone on here lives nearby and can give me some insight into the general vibe there. I've heard the 711 was a bit sketchy, and there seem to be a few abandoned or at least run-down buildings on the corners. Is it an area you try to avoid? Is that Phillips 66 as dodgy as it looks? Thanks, and sorry if this breaks any rules!

I was there recently at Press Pizza, i didnt notice any issues and i thought the 7/11 was closed?

The intersection itself is very hostile to pedestrians and auto oriented. 7/11 is closed at least but that gas station is definitely not a comfortable place to hang out.

Other than that the neighborhoods are good. Benton park is a fantastic place to live. Plus the strip on Jefferson suddenly has some cool businesses in it which is nice (Coffee Stamp, Press, Green Finch, Lucky Accomplice)

 Unless you are literally living on Gravois or Jefferson, would recommend.

Also what up, saw you in the BiCi discord 

I can't think of any areas of Benton Park within a block or two of that intersection that I would be leery of. The 7/11 is closed now and to be honest I haven't heard of any issues at that Phillips 66. Like a lot of gas stations at those kind of intersections it can look sketch but tbh I've heard of more shady stuff going down at the Gravois and Russell station by me in Soulard. Both stations are kind of in their own block at the triangle anyway so that tends to keep the activity centered there instead of spilling into the residential area. 

I have lived  very close to that intersection since I first moved to St Louis in 2017. First on the Benton Park side and now on the Fox Park/TGE side.
I second what others especially GoHarv have already written.
It used to be very dicey when the 711 was open, think open air drug deals happening on a Saturday afternoon. 
The Benton Park side of the intersection has always been okay even if a bit desolate, especially after BofA closed their branch. 
The Fox Park side used to be a bit scarier, but things have improved *a lot* in the last couple years, especially since the 711 closed. Many nice establishments opened on Jefferson in the past couple of years (Lucky Accomplice, Press, Coffeestamp, Green Finch, etc), especially on the Fox  Several of the warehouses west of Jefferson are being rehabbed and converted into lofts/apartments. Rung for Women keeps expanding and is also making those blocks look much nicer. 
It is genuinely one of the parts of the city where I have seen more noticeable improvements since I moved here. And it seems to keep getting better and better.