WUSTL: $80-Million Loop Lofts in Delmar Loop

bchao524 · PostFeb 27, 2012#12012-02-27T14:08+00:00

Washington University plans $80 million Loop project
St. Louis Post Dispatch | By Tim Bryant

Washington University plans to remake a central part of the Delmar Loop with an $80 million project consisting of stores and apartments for about 550 students.

The project comprises a four- to six-story building of retail space and apartments on Delmar Boulevard at Eastgate Avenue and three new mid-rise apartment buildings on Enright Avenue nearby. Design work will begin soon, and construction could begin in January 2013 with occupancy in August 2014, university officials said.

Read more: http://goo.gl/ZxkWf

quincunx · PostFeb 27, 2012#22012-02-27T14:15+00:00

Not a fan of the demo of the two buildins on Delmar. No love lost for the ones on Enright. I think they're horrible looking.

DogtownBnR · PostFeb 27, 2012#32012-02-27T14:17+00:00

Can anyone post some pics of the 2 historic buildings up for demo?

bchao524 · PostFeb 27, 2012#42012-02-27T14:19+00:00

DogtownBnR wrote:Can anyone post some pics of the 2 historic buildings up for demo?

Lots of pictures of them in the article. Here is one:

ImprovSTL · PostFeb 27, 2012#52012-02-27T14:37+00:00

That's too bad but could be a lot worse. A grocery store in the plans is a huge plus.

quincunx · PostFeb 27, 2012#62012-02-27T14:40+00:00

The demo must include 609, right? A bit much. At least this'll add density and fill an empty lot.

stlgasm · PostFeb 27, 2012#72012-02-27T15:10+00:00

I actually like the '70s apartments on Enright. They represent an important era in urban development, and at least they are built up to the sidewalks. Does anyone know if the entire block of Enright will be cleared, or just a couple of buildings?

Overall, this sounds like a big plus for the Loop and surrounding neighborhood.

DogtownBnR · PostFeb 27, 2012#82012-02-27T15:15+00:00

Even though I've seen nicer buildings, they are still attractive and circa 1928.
It will be sad to see them go. Assuming Wash U. has maintained them, I'd assume
they are in very good shape. That's too bad. Hopefully, the Loop will gain much
more from the project, to make up for the loss of 2 historic buildings.
Thanks for the pics bchao524....

Anyone know, when a historic building is demolished, do most demo companies
salvage everything they can, for reuse?? Obviously, brick, doors, maybe woodwork
doorknobs, light fixtures etc.... It would be a shame for all of that stuff to
get throw in the dumpster.

quincunx · PostFeb 27, 2012#92012-02-27T15:19+00:00

Yes it would be nice if they reused that stuff or gave it away to others who want it. Especially if they reused the bricks on the new buildings.

Can anyone make the U City Council meeting tonight? 6:30-10pm City Hall, 5th floor

goat314 · PostFeb 27, 2012#102012-02-27T15:32+00:00

I'm actually glad these buildings are getting replaced. They always felt out of place on Delmar (IMHO). I expect the Loop to be a lot more livelier when this project is finished.

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 27, 2012#112012-02-27T15:52+00:00

Here's an old speculative story from nextSTL (3/4/10): http://nextstl.com/central-corridor/was ... elmar-loop

images:

mixed use/housing in red, new residential in yellow, planned green space in green

stlgasm · PostFeb 27, 2012#122012-02-27T17:17+00:00

So, Alex, they are in fact going to tear down the entire 1970s apartment complex on Enright (vs. just a portion of it)?

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 27, 2012#132012-02-27T17:26+00:00

My understanding - solely based on the Post-Dispatch story - is that they're all being torn down. It states that 2 of 3 planned buildings on Enright will be built, with the third going up if there's demand.

stlgasm · PostFeb 27, 2012#142012-02-27T17:39+00:00

Thanks, Alex. I wish they'd fill in the vacant lots first, but oh well.

quincunx · PostFeb 27, 2012#152012-02-27T17:41+00:00

Looks like that's all one parcel on land, 6322 Enright. I guess we'll find out tonight.

RobbyD · PostFeb 27, 2012#162012-02-27T17:44+00:00

Nice to see Wash U attempting to add to what is already working in the neighborhood...solid gown and town relationships seem to benefit everyone involved...

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 27, 2012#172012-02-27T18:12+00:00

stlgasm wrote:Thanks, Alex. I wish they'd fill in the vacant lots first, but oh well.

Right. Like all developers they want to build big if they build. Economies of scale, they say. Anyway, I really dislike the 1970's apts and so am not sad to see them go. The new building will be good for Delmar.

the central scrutinizer · PostFeb 27, 2012#182012-02-27T18:14+00:00

This sounds like a terrific project. I look forward to seeing the results.

bonwich · PostFeb 27, 2012#192012-02-27T18:15+00:00

Hmmm. WashU and the Loop. SLU and Grand Center. WashU and the CWE. SLU and its Med Campus. Hmmm. Are these two universities actually in the same city?

Alex Ihnen · PostFeb 27, 2012#202012-02-27T18:20+00:00

It's interesting, no? WUSTL says over and over that their students want to live in a city, in a city neighborhood. It's not perfect, but it's a good mindset. SLU produces promotional videos that say over and over "SLU's close to everything the city has to offer, but it doesn't feel like a city!

"

RobbyD · PostFeb 27, 2012#212012-02-27T18:33+00:00

bonwich wrote:Hmmm. WashU and the Loop. SLU and Grand Center. WashU and the CWE. SLU and its Med Campus. Hmmm. Are these two universities actually in the same city?

Of course it may be a distinction without difference, but I believe most of Wash u lies in unincorporated St Louis County and really could be more rightly thought of as a suburb of Clayton than St Louis...

Make no mistake, what's good for Wash u is generally good for St Louis...

goat314 · PostFeb 27, 2012#222012-02-27T19:05+00:00

WUSTL proposes $80 million investment in retail and student apartments in Delmar Loop
First step to achieve ‘A Vision for Parkview Gardens,’ an extensive community plan to enhance the Parkview Gardens area and the Delmar Loop
February 27, 2012

link: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/23463.aspx

c2city · PostFeb 28, 2012#232012-02-28T01:05+00:00

I am just so excited to see those buildings replaced. I would have loved to live in new buildings in those locations when I was at the WU.

newstl2020 · PostFeb 28, 2012#242012-02-28T02:41+00:00

This project looks great so far. Should add a lot to the neighborhood/loop and it is phenomenal that the surface lot is getting filled. Wish WUSTL would pony up and buy the gas station and Church's, but this seems to be a great start.

quincunx · PostFeb 28, 2012#252012-02-28T14:02+00:00

At least one U City Council member is concerned about the demos of the apartment buildings on Delmar. And parking!

KSDk - Washington University helping to develop Delmar Loop

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/306619 ... elmar-Loop