Iconic Building in Fountain Park

imran · PostJul 11, 2014#12014-07-11T20:06+00:00

This building has been written about frequently. Apparently building permits are issued frequently but there is no visible improvement. It is open to the elements.

Wasn't there a demolition-by-neglect bill passed recently? This one would be a great candidate for the city stepping in to salvage and then billing the owner.

Presbyterian · PostJul 13, 2014#22014-07-13T01:53+00:00

Interweb tells me the owner is an Aloysius Germell Titsworth, age 34, 1998 Rockwood grad, 2012 arrest for felony use of a weapon, owns a couple house flipping companies?

urban_dilettante · PostJul 13, 2014#32014-07-13T04:59+00:00

^ is it me or does that all sound pretty shady? how far behind is he on taxes? can the city take the building yet? *sigh*

ttricamo · PostJul 15, 2014#42014-07-15T10:12+00:00

Anybody have the actual address? I can find out who owns it and how much they owe on it (because I have a realtor license).

Btw - getting ready to renovate a 2000 ft beauty in Benton Park right on the park.

rbb · PostJul 15, 2014#52014-07-15T13:47+00:00

ttricamo wrote:Anybody have the actual address? I can find out who owns it and how much they owe on it (because I have a realtor license).

Btw - getting ready to renovate a 2000 ft beauty in Benton Park right on the park.

1106-1108 Bayard Ave

-RBB

moorlander · PostJul 15, 2014#62014-07-15T14:42+00:00

ttricamo wrote:
Btw - getting ready to renovate a 2000 ft beauty in Benton Park right on the park.

Awesome. Start a build thread and post pics please.

roger wyoming II · PostJul 15, 2014#72014-07-15T15:11+00:00

^ +1. Send it over to Saint Louis Neighborhood Development Blog, too... they have a great one up just now on a TGE rehab:
http://stlnabedev.tumblr.com/

DoogiesRoog · PostFeb 17, 2016#82016-02-17T01:56+00:00

Drove through Fountain Park today and saw a scaffolding on one of the sides of that incredible building on the northeast side of the park. Anyone know if there are plans for rehabbing it starting or anything? Such a beautiful, unique style of building; would be wonderful news to see someone was going to actually do something with it.

roger wyoming II · PostFeb 17, 2016#92016-02-17T02:51+00:00

Do you mean these two? (for whatever reason they are on the same parcel id)

There is a $20,000 building permit but I have no idea of any plan. I hope something good comes. Geo Saint Louis says one was built in 1849 although I understand that isn't always a reliable source.

addxb2 · PostFeb 17, 2016#102016-02-17T03:03+00:00

I came across them two weeks ago. I think the one on the right has significant roof damage. I'm not a contractor and not qualified to estimate cost, but I can't imagine the exterior and interior can be revived for $20,000.

roger wyoming II · PostFeb 17, 2016#112016-02-17T03:37+00:00

^ not at all.... maybe some stabilization but hardly enough to do any "renovation"

addxb2 · PostFeb 17, 2016#122016-02-17T03:45+00:00

Original post is right to call it iconic. Gorgeous building. Gorgeous neighborhood.

DoogiesRoog · PostFeb 18, 2016#132016-02-18T20:26+00:00

Those are the ones. The larger of the two did have some major roof damage. And yeah, $20,000 isn't gonna cover much. Hopefully it is going towards stabilization, because those would be a shame to lose....Why...WHY could I have been a trust fund baby?

quincunx · PostMay 13, 2020#142020-05-13T14:34+00:00

PostOct 13, 2022#152022-10-13T23:11+00:00

It's not owned by the LRA. The owner has been siting on it for over 15 years. Past time for eminent domain.

PostMay 22, 2023#162023-05-22T12:59+00:00

The Kingsway Opportunity Zone map has a "12" on this building. Let's hope that means it will be saved and restored. It's still owned by the person who has sat on it and let it crumble. Maybe Kingsway has an option to purchase.

Kingsway Opportunity Zone Map.png (1.26MiB)

GoHarvOrGoHome · PostMay 22, 2023#172023-05-22T13:50+00:00

If this whole project collapses but that building on Fountain is saved, I will still be happy

quincunx · PostJul 22, 2023#182023-07-22T16:34+00:00

$15k building permit application submitted for interior alterations and tuckpointing. It could be for the building facing Bayard which is on the same parcel, but it's something. It's on the Aug 9 Board of Adjustment agenda, I wonder why. It's still the same owner.

PostAug 09, 2023#192023-08-09T21:08+00:00

The Board of Adjustment dismissed w/o prejudice since the permit is just for stabilization. The plan is to white box, and thus there is no proposed use to consider against zoning regs at this point.

Getting this to a white box state would be a great turnaround!

PostNov 27, 2023#202023-11-27T13:51+00:00

$55k building permit issued for int alterations and tuckpointing for 4831 Fountain Ave. Note it went from $15k to $55k

Finally!

PostFeb 19, 2024#212024-02-19T18:57+00:00

$90k building permit issued Dec 19, 2023 for structural repairs. Property taxes not paid 2021-23.

STLEnginerd · PostFeb 19, 2024#222024-02-19T20:45+00:00

quincunx wrote: ↑
Feb 19, 2024
$90k building permit issued Dec 19, 2023 for structural repairs. Property taxes not paid 2021-23.

Honestly if i was king Louis and they did repair the building and put a roof on it i would totally give them a pass on the taxes.

quincunx · PostFeb 19, 2024#232024-02-19T20:51+00:00

It's only about $1,000. I'd think a tax abatement would sail through.

PostAug 18, 2024#242024-08-18T16:23+00:00

The building at 4831 Fountain Avenue has been vacant for over a decade. The city replaced the roof and secured it despite the owner's attempt to block it. The city now has a lien on the property.

In Fountain Park, the long-vacant, turreted building on the east end of the park is boarded up and secured now, but not before the owner hired a lawyer and held off the city with a restraining order for six months last year. Mitchell Jacobs, the owner’s attorney, said he admires the city’s attempt to clean up neighborhoods but warned that the process can hurt owners trying to comply. Legally, however, it’s not much different than the city demolishing a condemned building, “which they have been doing for a long time.”

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 7c06c.html

PostAug 18, 2024#252024-08-18T16:26+00:00

I guess the permit last December was the city's.