Bohemian Hill

matt · PostJan 24, 2006#12006-01-24T15:22+00:00

Tying together Soulard, Lafayette Square, LaSalle Park (all together along with Bohemian Hill are known as Frenchtown) will require some action on derelict properties in Bohemian Hill. I think most of the worst offenders are owned by developers who can't get it together.

It may also take changing some of the barriers to movement presented by streets. I think some of the old thinking was that these barriers were good because they made it difficult for residents of public housing to enter surrounding neighborhoods.

Expat · PostJan 24, 2006#22006-01-24T15:25+00:00

Matt, don't you think investment in The Georgian will go a long way in making investment in Bohemian Hill more attractive and likely to happen? Really, when you think about it, who would want a new townhouse in the shadow of the old monster, decaying City Hospital. Doesn't this change the game?

markofucity · PostJan 24, 2006#32006-01-24T15:55+00:00

I run by that area every night and I'm always amazed that those building are still lying dormant. The East side of Tucker looks fantastic - if only it were occupoed and cleaned up a bit. The west side is largely vacant but the area could really be somethign if the right developments were brought in. Does anyone know why this area is still sitting unused ....

jmedwick · PostJan 24, 2006#42006-01-24T16:07+00:00

If this is the area I think it is (Tucker between Lafayette and 55) then I would guess it is because it is stuck sitting next to the highway with alot of traffic on Tucker. With all the highways it is not the most attractive area.

Expat · PostJan 24, 2006#52006-01-24T16:12+00:00

I am sure that being in the shadow of Darst-Webbe and the decaying hospital property kept many people away. Of course, all of that has changed recently. The highways detract, but that hasn't stopped them from building/developing along highways in other locales.

southslider · PostJan 24, 2006#62006-01-24T16:16+00:00

The highways somewhat open up views for this unique location. I toured The Georgian last weekend, seeing multiple units on various floors, sides of the buildings, and stage of completion. Though the north side of the complex has views of the central corridor from the Arch to the Chase, I really liked the south side views of all the church steeples of Soulard and other tall landmarks of South City neighborhoods.

markofucity · PostJan 24, 2006#72006-01-24T17:13+00:00

i had always suspected that the new neighborhoods just east and north of the city hospital were scaring off potential deveopers. I have no idea if it true or not, but I've driven through the area with a lot of suburbanites and they instantly dismiss the entire area with the comment "those are section 8." Now I don't want to get into a debate regarding the validity of those sentiments - but I think its pretty clear that MANY people are scared off by "low income" housing. Of course the City Hospital complex is rightnest door as well so who knows. ....

Expat · PostJan 24, 2006#82006-01-24T17:22+00:00

markofucity, I sure even more people dismissed the area when Darst-Webbe was there. The current condition is a vast improvement. And, it seems that nearby development has been strong, such as The Georgian, Sqwires area, etc. I am not crazy about the King Louie buildings. I think they could have been better, and more evenly mixed in with market rate housing. But, I have seen far worse.

markofucity · PostJan 24, 2006#92006-01-24T17:27+00:00

oh there's no question that its better than Darst Webbe

southcitygent · PostJan 24, 2006#102006-01-24T18:43+00:00

A few years back we looked at having a townhouse build in Bohemian Hill by the developer that did the three newer homes. At that time 2 issues were holding back continued development. Several lots were believed to be highly contaminated with hazardous material and the other portion was tied up by multiple owners that were reluctant to sell. During this time the city brought in a noted European architect to do the planning for a very modernistic/progressive development, but the problems with land ownership stifled its implementation.

Expat · PostJan 24, 2006#112006-01-24T18:47+00:00

^Thanks. There you have it.

It would be interesting to see their plans and to see if there is any chance of completing them. I wonder if anything has changed in ownership.

matt · PostJan 24, 2006#122006-01-24T19:14+00:00

It would be interesting to look up who owns those 3-6 blocks to the south of the Georgian and post the information here. If no one gets to it before I can, I'll do it.

southslider · PostJan 24, 2006#132006-01-24T19:41+00:00

The City (LRA/LCRA) owns about a third of all property in "Bohemian Hill," if defined as south of Lafayette Avenue between South Tucker and Truman Parkway. All of the City's holdings in this "Bohemian Hill" pocket are west of South 13th Street. The City owns the entire small, cleared block between 13th and 14th, Lafayette and Soulard streets, as well as a grouping of vacant parcels along Lafayette immediately across from City Hospital that combined has about 100 feet of frontage along Lafayette, which is only a little more than a third of that block's frontage immediately across The Georgian and its future landscaped entrance. The remaining City held parcels are scattered behind Lafayette, between 14th and Truman (I-55 exit).

soulardd · PostJan 24, 2006#142006-01-24T19:58+00:00

markofucity wrote:The East side of Tucker looks fantastic

Thanks Mark, I live on that side. If you notice the building with the St. Louis flag flying, that's my building. Naturally, I'm very interested in seeing Bohemian Hill progress into something special. I have to say, I'm encouraged by the fact that the Georgian is there, because the Georgian brings $. (and rumors of a gym, retail, and a grocery store across the street on bohemian hill.) If you look on the west side of tucker, there is a house for sale that was previously abandoned. It looks pretty nice, but the house next to it is still abandoned and might scare some away. The developer who did my building said that he or his friends were trying to buy most of the remaining buildings in that area. He said in a couple of years it'll be great. I hope he's right.

markofucity · PostJan 24, 2006#152006-01-24T20:08+00:00

now that I think about it ... I do recall a real estate agent at the Giergian telling me that the city was planning a health club across the street (on the vacant property). Of course it could have just been a sales pitch - who knows. But the area sure seems like a perfect place for development.

and that area does need a good gym. I'm amazed at the lack of gyms in the area.

debaliviere · PostJan 24, 2006#162006-01-24T20:28+00:00

Good info, Southslider, SoulardD, & markofucity - thanks for the scoop!

That really does sound like an ideal spot for a gym - the residents of Lafayette Square, Soulard, etc. need a good place to work out. Maybe an increase in gyms will help get us off the list of fattest cities!

Expat · PostJan 24, 2006#172006-01-24T23:10+00:00

That is an ideal spot for a gym.

It is a consolation to me that my own fat body isn't inflating the fat list for St. Louis. For now, I am dragging down Maryland's reputation. But, if I get out there, I will drag STL even further down. Sorry guys.

debaliviere · PostJan 25, 2006#182006-01-25T00:32+00:00

That's okay, just be sure to bring back Dunkin' Donuts with you when you come back. I miss them.

MattnSTL · PostJan 25, 2006#192006-01-25T00:34+00:00

^I really miss them since one of their locations was right behind my house.

bastiat · PostJan 25, 2006#202006-01-25T03:25+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:Good info, Southslider, SoulardD, & markofucity - thanks for the scoop!

That really does sound like an ideal spot for a gym - the residents of Lafayette Square, Soulard, etc. need a good place to work out. Maybe an increase in gyms will help get us off the list of fattest cities!

I think you need to worry more about the customers at Crown Candy that finish the 5 malt challenge everytime they go.

framer · PostJan 25, 2006#212006-01-25T06:29+00:00

I remember a few years ago Bohemian Hill was written up in a small article in one of the major national architecture magazines. The article was titled "International Team Digs St. Louis". Its a shame that from such a promissing beggining, nothing much ever developed...yet.

debaliviere · PostJan 25, 2006#222006-01-25T15:29+00:00

Here's an RFT article from the project...from 1999!

http://www.rftstl.com/Issues/1999-03-03 ... ture3.html

Expat · PostJan 25, 2006#232006-01-25T16:15+00:00

^The article that DeB linked is worth reading. Even if you are not particularly interested in Bohemian Hill, the article is really interesting. Jo Noero, the South African architect, has a lot to say about the Arch, St. Louis, and many other things.

I wonder what Jo Noero is doing now and I wish his vision could have been completed.

And I really like Bohemian Hill as a neighborhood name.

matt · PostJan 25, 2006#242006-01-25T16:37+00:00

It's really suffering from a lack of a game plan and a coach. I looked at the Noero designed houses nearly 4 years ago and they are still surrounded by severe blight. There's an historic building on corner on the next block to the south where the owner was allowed to destroy it's exterior appearance.

doug · PostJan 26, 2006#252006-01-26T15:06+00:00

I thought city hospital was being turned into lofts/apartments. My uncle was talking about a friend who is putting lots of money into his apartment.

Bohemian Hill

Bohemian Hill

Bohemian Hill

Choose Display Mode