urbanSTL

WUSTL proposes razing the Unity Christ Church at Forsyth and Skinker and replace it with new construction. On the Preservation Board prelim agenda. We'll see the proposed replacement on the final agenda.

I would like to see something vertical on any site that comes open on west side of Skinker. They probably aren’t thinking dorms at this site but would like something that is engaging and rises at least over the trees. WUStL keeps saying their big issue is dorm space but are yet to go above 5 stories in residential. Would be some pretty rad high rise dorms tho for a college student with views of Forest Park and skylines to the west and east.

Renderings of WUSTL's proposed building at Forsyth and Skinker from the Preservation Board agenda. CRO staff rec granting preliminary approval.

Odd the path from the entrance points west leaving those traveling south on Skinker hanging.

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I like the building design, but I'd rather see the entire building flipped on the site plan to push the L shape to the corner. Or just slide it all north. I see what they are trying to do with the courtyard, which will probably be a nice space. It would still work just fine closer to the sidewalk. Unless there is a setback requirement on Forsythe that they are trying to follow.

Not a fan of those weird angled windows along Skinker.

What's the purpose of the building?

All the Preservation Board agenda says is "academic building." I haven't seen anything from WUSTL on this. Has anyone else?

I’m not at all attached to the existing building so fine with something new. But I would love to see something better than this rendering on top of one of the greatest urban parks in the country and a global university. To me, either match the classic WashU architecture (see Brookings Hall) or build something exceptionally modern. Forest Park should be surrounded with top notch architecture.

The Preservation Board granted preliminary approval.

Washington University plans to tear down an old church near its Danforth Campus and replace it with a new administrative building.
The St. Louis Preservation Board Monday gave preliminary approval to WashU’s request to demolish the former Unity Christ Church Temple at 6200 Forsyth Ave. The university plans to build a new three-story building that will include academic student services and administrative offices.

WashU acquired the Unity Christ Church Temple property, located at Forsyth and Skinker boulevards just west of Forest Park, in 2021.


The one-story church was built in 1956 and sits within a preservation review district, requiring the Preservation Board’s approval for the proposed demolition. The St. Louis Cultural Resources Office (CRO), which staffs and makes recommendations to the Preservation Board, recommended the board provide approval to the project. While a merit building, CRO’s analysis said the church is “a fine but not outstanding example of mid-century modern design” and therefore wouldn’t be individually eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
“While located in a preservation district, it is not considered to be a historic building. After much investigation, we have concluded it is not in a condition for effective reuse,” WashU said in a statement.
WashU in 2009 acquired an adjacent former church-owned property at 6214 Forsyth Ave. that’s used as an information technology services center for students.

“The existing historic building at 6214 will be included in the project planning, however there is no planned change in use of the building at this time,” WashU said.
WashU did not disclose the development costs for the new building planned at the church site. WashU said it hopes the new building, designed by St. Louis-based Christner Architects, is completed in late 2026. Clayco is the project’s construction manager.
WashU has fall 2024 enrollment of 16,433, which includes 7,574 undergraduate students and 7,701 graduate and professional students, along with those in evening and part-time programs, according to figures from the university. The university's endowment stood at $11.5 billion in market value as of June 2023, the latest information posted on its website. Its managed endowment pool, consisting of the endowment and long-term operational assets, held a market value of $12.5 billion at that same time.

$11M building permit application submitted for 33 N Skinker at Forsyth. Surprised WUSTL didn't put the brakes on this like the new Art Sci building.

Administrators needs always come first.

WUSTL - New career engagement, alumni center to honor late entrepreneur, WashU benefactor

Construction is underway on a new home for the Center for Career Engagement and an alumni welcome center. The building will be located at 6200 Forsyth Blvd.
The building will serve as the front door to welcome Washington University in St. Louis alumni when they return to the Danforth Campus, and as a hub for students, alumni and employers to interact in various ways, including on-campus interviews, networking and recruiting events.
The building, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Forsyth and Skinker boulevards, will be named the Neil S. Hirsch Center in recognition of a pledge to support the facility from Hirsch’s widow, Laura DeLuca Hirsch, through the Neil S. Hirsch Foundation, which was made during the quiet phase of “With You: The WashU Campaign.” Neil Hirsch, who died in 2021, was an entrepreneur who revolutionized the trading of government, fixed-income and foreign exchange securities by creating technology to collect and disseminate information not otherwise available to traders at that time.  

https://source.washu.edu/2025/08/new-al ... enefactor/