Val Place Dutchtown South

suburban lou · PostApr 23, 2006#12006-04-23T08:47+00:00

By Millennium Restoration

Location: Alabama and Viginia at Delor (?)

This is an exciting new development that is designed in a modern style that promotes community. There is nothing exactly like this on the south side and we hope it will be a focus for continued development in the area.

Each of the 20 energy-efficient single-family attached townhouses will have a 22?x40? footprint and approximately 1,840 square feet of living space.

Source

urbanstlouis · PostApr 23, 2006#22006-04-23T09:19+00:00

Looks like a great way to get an alley into a development with existing residential on both sides.

The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath units also look like they could be great homes for families.

Construction is supposed to start this Fall and be completed by Summer 2008 with pricing set between $180,000 - $220,000.

MattnSTL · PostApr 23, 2006#32006-04-23T17:10+00:00

The renderings look great. More of the modern design that we have wanted. And like Urban said, good use of the site with the alley.

Expat · PostApr 23, 2006#42006-04-23T21:55+00:00

Beautiful houses. Very livable, too. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

laboubet · PostApr 24, 2006#52006-04-24T01:47+00:00

Cool. I really like the site plan. I think that this will blend into the urban fabric really well. I also like how they paid attention to the alley side of the buildings.

framer · PostApr 24, 2006#62006-04-24T06:02+00:00

It looks like this project was designed by a committee of Urban St. Louis members! (and I mean that in a good way)

MattnSTL · PostApr 24, 2006#72006-04-24T08:16+00:00

You never know, it may have been.

threeonefour · PostApr 24, 2006#82006-04-24T11:54+00:00

Niiiiiiiiice!

These townhomes will rise just a few blocks from my humble abode- and I couldn't be happier. I especially love the clean design and site plan.

The timetable sounds good to me as well. I may be ready to move up when these are complete- and I'd definitely consider one if the design, pricing, and amenities are consistent with what has been proposed.

Virginia Avenue isn't without its problems, but it seems ripe for redevelopment to me. Iron Barley has carved out a niche for itself, and north of Mount Pleasant, existing four-family flats are being converted into two-family townhomes. Hopefully new construction like this will encourage even more investment in the area.

debaliviere · PostApr 24, 2006#92006-04-24T16:43+00:00

This looks pretty sweet - the site appears to be mostly vacant already, btw.

urban review st. louis · PostApr 25, 2006#102006-04-25T14:11+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:This looks pretty sweet - the site appears to be mostly vacant already, btw.

The various lots used to contain about three apartment buildings that were razed probably 5-6 years ago. The buildings were poorly managed and had problem tenants. Sadly, the buildings were blamed for these issues and torn down. We are a very wasteful society.

A short piece of Liberty St will be closed for this project. It is not a major part of the grid but it does provide a way to walk, bike, etc.. through the area now so it will change patterns.

One of the first RFPs for this site went out from the city requiring 3bed/2.5bath detached houses with gable roofs. This RFP was in response to a flawed neighborhood survey that asked folks what they wanted. While a survey sounds good the questions where highly biased toward single family. Basically the choice given to residents were single family detached or multi-family (read: cheap rental). The concept of owner occupied-townhouse condos was not on any survey. Given the lack of choices people said single family.

When the proposals came back I was on the neighborhood development committee. The stuff we got was horrible and they were able to get only 6-8 units on the land where this project can get 18. Myself and a couple of others successfully lobbied to reject all the proposals even though some tried the "this has been going on for too long" argument to just accept anything. We argued instead for a more open RFP to see what people would come up with.

When this proposal came in I very loudly voiced my opinion this should be accepted immediately. I'm really glad we pushed for something better at this site.

southslider · PostApr 25, 2006#112006-04-25T14:34+00:00

To me, this project is the most exciting case for the future of our City. Since not located within a historic district or our central business district, hopefully other neighborhood's infill will follow this development as its example. In Dogtown and Southwest Garden, building single-family detached is getting too expensive, and even townhouses have a bland, simple design. For our many neighborhoods not within a historic district, more modern, attached infill is hopefully the wave of the future.

urban review st. louis · PostApr 25, 2006#122006-04-25T14:36+00:00

southslider wrote:To me, this project is the most exciting case for the future of our City. Since not located within a historic district or our central business district, hopefully other neighborhood's infill will follow this development as its example. In Dogtown and Southwest Garden, building single-family detached is getting too expensive, and even townhouses have a bland, simple design. For our many neighborhoods not within a historic district, more modern, attached infill is hopefully the wave of the future.

I couldn't agree more. This may be the single most significant project in the city as it will hopefully start a trend toward accepting good urban modern design and higher densities.

trent · PostApr 26, 2006#132006-04-26T21:38+00:00

The renderings look fantastic. This is the sort of infill project the city has been looking for, and it's finally come. I hope that Millenium keeps up their good work, as they're responsible for the Fleur De Lis project on Jefferson and Russell. Let's hope they start both projects soon.

framer · PostApr 27, 2006#142006-04-27T03:31+00:00

^They're also doing the new homes on DeTonty Street, also extremely nice. Yeah, Millenium definately has the vision, I just hope they have the money to make it a reality.

debaliviere · PostJun 14, 2006#152006-06-14T13:44+00:00

Update:

Residents will have chance to check plans for townhouse development

Jim Merkel

Of the Suburban Journals

South Side Journal

06/14/2006

The public will have a chance tonight to examine plans for a 20-townhouse development proposed for vacant lots on a block surrounded by Virginia and Alabama Avenues, and Liberty and Delor streets.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Gretchen's Inn at the Feasting Fox, 4200 S. Grand Blvd.

Article

threeonefour · PostJun 15, 2006#162006-06-15T15:25+00:00

I'm glad the South Side Journal is doing a better job of covering development-related issues these days, but I wish they had reported about this meeting the week before, not on the same day!

Was anyone able to attend? I really want to see this project go forward. Millenium does a great job with infill, but I realize it will take time given the number and scope of other projects they have.

bgeldy · PostJul 21, 2006#172006-07-21T18:08+00:00

The plans look beautiful. It's been forever since I've been down that way...How far is that from the building in the triangle on Virginia, the one that most recently a glass shop/ice cream parlor?

cityboy · PostJul 21, 2006#182006-07-21T18:50+00:00

The development is one block south of The Stork Inn (originally built by AB). Dale Preston (Preston Stained Glass) recently sold the Stork Inn to an architect in the neighborhood. Dale was a victim of his own success and had to move to a larger facilty (former Atlas Seed Co. at Chouteau & Jefferson). Unfortunately, they closed the ice cream stand too.

marmar · PostJul 22, 2006#192006-07-22T06:44+00:00

This is a great development. I really like the modern design, and I'm impressed that Millinium having such a great track record with their rehabs and infill and are branching out with very pleasing contemporary designed urban structures.

stlbiggestfan · PostFeb 23, 2007#202007-02-23T03:37+00:00

Does anyone have a project update and/or pictures of progress to share?

threeonefour · PostFeb 23, 2007#212007-02-23T05:52+00:00

I don't want to be pessimistic about this, but I think it'll be awhile before we hear anything about this development at all.

Millennium still has yet to make any significant progress with Fleur-de-Lis at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Arsenal Street, and I'm sure they'll focus on that before turning their attention to Val Place or any other proposed/ongoing projects they have.

As someone that lives not far away, this area could really use new development like this.

stellar · PostFeb 25, 2007#222007-02-25T05:24+00:00

In talking to the developer I found out that there is an overabundance of condos in the city right now. Banks are reluctant to loan money until that inventory goes down. On a positive note it sounds like a lot of people feel this Spring will be the start of a hot real estate market.

kustramo · PostFeb 25, 2007#232007-02-25T05:44+00:00

I hope so. Im not too far from this and would love to see this project progress...

matt drops the h · PostMar 18, 2008#242008-03-18T19:34+00:00

Sadly, this project as it was once planned is dead. I confirmed this with a reliable source (sorry--can't divulge--annoying I know, but trust me).

Apparently, Millennium took on too much and simply couldn't make it work. There is another developer interested in building 8 single family homes on this site. No renderings yet, of course, as I'm not even sure who the developer is.

I would count DeTonty Homes out as well (and we already know the Fleur de Lys project at Jefferson and Arsenal is dead).

What a shame. Their presence would have truly benefited all neighborhoods involved.

debaliviere · PostMar 19, 2008#252008-03-19T01:14+00:00

That's too bad. I'd rather see Millenium hold out for their original project than have some other developer build single family homes on the site.