Another Demo :( (downtown edition)

wabash · PostDec 27, 2012#12012-12-27T16:01+00:00

What is this all about? I was in downtown early yesterday morning and noticed that 712 and 714 13th Street had just been torn down. I really liked these two little buildings, especially the small storefront with the white and green glazed brick facade. It's great many of DT's large buildings are getting redeveloped, but these little guys are an important part of the fabric, and shouldn't be sacrificed to the parking gods.

arch city · PostDec 27, 2012#22012-12-27T16:49+00:00

Thanks for the information.

You should ask a moderator/administrator to merge your demo threads in order to create an on-going demo thread. Good idea.

leeharveyawesome · PostDec 27, 2012#32012-12-27T17:13+00:00

Loved that little building. It was a miracle that it was still standing quite frankly. There's just too many scumbags hanging around the gas station for anyone to ever do anything proper with it.

Presbyterian · PostDec 27, 2012#42012-12-27T17:23+00:00

It looks like this will be parking for the Bogen Lofts. Looking at City property records, both buildings (and the lot next door) appear to have been purchased in August by a "BOGES ACQUISITION LLC" of Kansas City. Comparing addresses, that name appears to be a mis-spelling of Bogen Acquisition. Maxus Properties of Kansas City (same address as owner listed in city records) purchased the Bogen Lofts in May. Bogen is immediately south of the property.

Alex Ihnen · PostDec 28, 2012#52012-12-28T00:21+00:00

Absurd.

stlexplorer · PostFeb 15, 2013#62013-02-15T00:42+00:00

I just noticed this and am pretty upset. What's really sad is that the streetview shot says it's from July 2011 and the little storefront looks newly renovated.

September 2009:

downtown2007 · PostFeb 15, 2013#72013-02-15T00:43+00:00

Word is Parking for the Bogen

wabash · PostFeb 15, 2013#82013-02-15T15:17+00:00

So disheartening.

olvidarte · PostFeb 15, 2013#92013-02-15T15:39+00:00

What a modest, but really attractive building. Ugh, so much potential.

Parking. Parking. Soon all that will be left of downtown will be parking.

threeonefour · PostFeb 16, 2013#102013-02-16T00:48+00:00

Wow. Without any landmarks in that aerial shot, that could easily be downtown Battle Creek, Mich., or downtown Springfield, Mo., or a downtown in any mid-sized city that demolished half of its downtown for asphalt lots in the 1950s.

Thankfully there's much more density in the blocks between Tucker Boulevard and the Mississippi River, but even then, there are too many surface lots and unattractive parking structures.

If we tear down everything in downtown for parking, why would anyone want to park in downtown?

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 16, 2013#112013-02-16T14:26+00:00

^ The only way to eliminate traffic and parking "problems" is to create a place where no one wants to drive or park.

stlexplorer · PostFeb 16, 2013#122013-02-16T18:40+00:00

Those tiny blocks created by Lucas/Linden/Gay should be a walker's paradise. The fact that this section of the street grid has survived is wonderful and I often dream about the incredible infill that could be here.

downtown2007 · PostFeb 17, 2013#132013-02-17T17:36+00:00

I still have some questions on this demo. Who previously owned the building? Did the Bogen purchase the building and then have it demolished? Why didn't the demo have to be approved by the city?

If anyone has answered it would be great.

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 17, 2013#142013-02-17T19:00+00:00

The ward - 7th Phyllis Young - doesn't have mandatory demo review. The buildings weren't protected by any local ordinance. I believe the Bogen bought them to demo for parking, but would need to look at property records.

downtown2007 · PostFeb 17, 2013#152013-02-17T19:12+00:00

I never knew the 7th didn't have a review. For a ward that includes a lot of great hoods I would have expected it to contain a review.

stlexplorer · PostFeb 18, 2013#162013-02-18T04:23+00:00

This is in the 5th Ward which also does not have preservation review. See the map here:

http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/depart ... iewMap.pdf

In looking for the ward information I came across listings for the properties that were demolished. The posts were updated 80 days ago as no longer being on the market.

712 N. 13th:

Located One block off Washington, this Freestanding creative office space is in the "heart" of the downtown "Loft District". This Building has been nicely refinished and has a large open floor plan office with kitchen area, new restroom and all new H.V.A.C. The property has Four car private parking and has one car garage for storage or vehicle parking indoors.

Link: http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17734176 ... -Louis-MO/

714 N. 13th:

Freestanding 2,838+/- Sq. Ft. Office / Warehouse building, located one block off Washington in the "heart" of the Loft District. Property has one drive-in door, 3-phase electric, floor drain and has one large office with restroom and a shower. Very Clean Property.

Link: http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17734181 ... -Louis-MO/

I truly cannot believe this happens.

STLEnginerd · PostFeb 18, 2013#172013-02-18T05:16+00:00

So I'm not particularly morning the loss of these buildings but I am with the majority in that I hate the tendency to turn every underutilized corner of downtown into a parking lot. I think they need something similar to what they have logging companies do out west where for every tree cut down they have to plant a tree somewhere else. Sort of a demo offset program for square footage. Obviously not every building is woth saving but a parking lot ia a hole that won't heal itself.

soulardx · PostFeb 19, 2013#182013-02-19T20:14+00:00

Living in Soulard and working downtown, it seems I pass by an underway demo or new demo often. It's maddening....

In a related note, I had the pleasure of dining at Elaia & Olio on Friday. What a spectacular reuse of space. Olio is probably the same size as these buildings. Imagine what the same sort of creative reuse could have done for 712 and 714 13th. No more.