6300 Delmar (Former Loop Automotive Site)

luftmensch · PostFeb 13, 2008#12008-02-13T05:06+00:00

Loop Automotive -- the service station next door to the Streetside Records site at Delmar and Eastgate -- is moving. The owner has put up the property for rent and hopes someone will transform it into a restaurant.

Apparently, Chipotle offered him a big wad for it a year ago (he wasn't ready yet) before they decided on the Streetside location. They were going to use the existing building and create a big deck for outside seating.

It's a fabulous location, and I really hope it doesn't sit empty or get turned into fast-food joint.

Obviously there will be clean-up issues.

debaliviere · PostFeb 13, 2008#22008-02-13T14:06+00:00

It may sound weird, but I always thought it was kind of cool to have that little garage there in the middle of the Loop.

I'm still amazed that no one has torn down or done anything with the former Meineke garage across the street from it.

hugh ferriss · PostFeb 23, 2009#32009-02-23T00:21+00:00

I noticed today that the Loop Automotive building has finally been demolished, though the site has not yet been cleared - the excavator that was presumably used in the demolition is still sitting amid the debris. A small billboard has been erected facing Delmar displaying a rendering of the new structure planned for the site: I didn't have time to stop and examine it, but it appears to show a fairly generic-looking commercial building with two floors and a lot of glass at street level.

debaliviere · PostJun 11, 2010#42010-06-11T15:14+00:00

It appears that construction has begun.

Renderings:

Alex Ihnen · PostJun 11, 2010#52010-06-11T16:00+00:00

Wish it were two stories.

moorlander · PostJun 11, 2010#62010-06-11T19:02+00:00

I drove by yesterday and say a bunch of recently moved dirt.

stldotage · PostJun 11, 2010#72010-06-11T20:26+00:00

Yeah, it kind of looks like a parking garage. It would be nice to see it have a shaped parapet to make it look more like a real, standalone building.

Even so...what a huge void to be erased!

DaronDierkes · PostJun 12, 2010#82010-06-12T17:46+00:00

clearly I've been out of town too long

quincunx · PostJun 15, 2010#92010-06-15T03:00+00:00

Lyda Krewson said that Dick Blick is going into this building.

framer · PostJun 15, 2010#102010-06-15T04:47+00:00

^Moving from Clayton?

quincunx · PostJun 15, 2010#112010-06-15T16:03+00:00

I don't know. It doesn't look like they have that many locations across the country. They might not want two this close to each other, but that's speculation on my part. Their website doesn't mention this location in the "new stores coming soon" blurb. Hopefully it's a sure thing as it would add some variety.

PostJul 13, 2010#122010-07-13T02:45+00:00

According to the meeting notes of the June 24 meeting of the Delmar Commercial Committee the Dick Blick is indeed moving from the Clayton location to this location.

Alex Ihnen · PostJul 13, 2010#132010-07-13T02:53+00:00

Makes sense to me. I imagine that WU art/architecture students comprise a good part of their business?

maskedmesothorium · PostJul 13, 2010#142010-07-13T22:46+00:00

Yeah, pretty boring building, wish there was residential space on top. But whatever, it fills in a nice hole. Is that a top hat on the building in the second rendering?

hold the provel, please · PostAug 28, 2010#152010-08-28T21:59+00:00

quincunx wrote:According to the meeting notes of the June 24 meeting of the Delmar Commercial Committee the Dick Blick is indeed moving from the Clayton location to this location.

Do you have a website for the Delmar Commercial Committee? Where could I find the meeting notes?

Thanks.

quincunx · PostAug 28, 2010#162010-08-28T23:11+00:00

No website that I'm aware of. I got them as part of the packet handed out at the Jul 12 Skinker-D Community Council meeting. Perhaps they have some copies left. Try calling or stopping by the office, I guess.

This building is going up. I'm surprised it's wood-framed.

bchao524 · PostAug 29, 2010#172010-08-29T00:27+00:00

quincunx wrote:This building is going up. I'm surprised it's wood-framed.

I was also incredibly surprised that it's going to be wood-framed. Isn't steel/aluminum framing basically the industry standard for commercial developments?

stlgasm · PostOct 18, 2010#182010-10-18T16:36+00:00

I'm glad the building fills the corner, but it is pretty generic looking. The Loop prides itself on being edgy and innovative, and this replica building is neither.

So when is the Loop going to get a damn supermarket??? It's such a dense neighborhood, yet all those residents have to get in their car and drive to Schnucks. I know it's a chain, but I see Trader Joe's being a great fit for the district. The one in Brookline, MA outside Boston is a wonderful model for an urban scaled, pedestrian-oriented grocery store. The Loop deserves it.

iceburg · PostOct 18, 2010#192010-10-18T17:17+00:00

^Had to check it out myself. Wow, look how small that parking lot is. I count no more than 30 spots. It would be nicer if the lot were in the back, but it's much better than 200+ parking spots.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=trader+jo ... 19,,0,6.28

Alex Ihnen · PostOct 18, 2010#202010-10-18T17:22+00:00

^ yeah, that's a great store - on the T and quite a bit bigger than the TJ's in Brentwood. I'd love to see a store on DeBaliviere - easily accessible by Metro, near the CWE, close to the Loop and the coming Trolley line.

bikinʹ_man · PostOct 18, 2010#212010-10-18T20:18+00:00

is the schnucks on olive still open? if so, i don't see them opening a store in the loop anytime soon. but it's defiantly time for dierbergs to open a store in the city. and the site next to big shark would be the place to put it. that way it's accessible by the students at wash-u, metro as well as the trolley.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Whole+Foo ... 8305540710

i like this whole foods that was a former wild oats. it's small, but compact, great selection and minimal parking.

quincunx · PostOct 18, 2010#222010-10-18T22:22+00:00

bikin'_man wrote:is the schnucks on olive still open?

Yes. Don't forget the Shur Sav on Vernon either.

dredger · PostOct 18, 2010#232010-10-18T22:38+00:00

If anything, I think Trader Joes recognizes and builds upon the fact that the local demographics want and can support varied grocery shopping options. I don't think Schnucks sees them as a threat. Instead, I think Schnucks is worried about Target eventually making a move on SLU/midtown or even Walmart making a move in St Louis with its smaller store format.

wabash · PostOct 18, 2010#242010-10-18T23:18+00:00

iceburg wrote: It would be nicer if the lot were in the back, but it's much better than 200+ parking spots.

Actually the lot is in back. The front of the store is along Beacon Street. I've shopped at that Trader Joe's. It's usually really busy.

Alex Ihnen · PostOct 19, 2010#252010-10-19T03:37+00:00

^ In fact there's an entrance, and checkouts, at the front and back.