Crib Chatter

The luxury apartment building craze isn’t limited to Chicago.

The tallest residential building in St. Louis is under construction in the trendy Central West End neighborhood at 100 North Kingshighway.

If the design seems vaguely familiar that’s because it’s being designed by Jeanne Gang at the Studio Gang Architects, who also designed Aqua in Lakeshore East in Chicago.

Aqua has won architecture awards.

At 36 stories, it will be the tallest in the city but still a little shy of the tallest residential structure in the region as apparently there is a slightly taller condo building in Clayton. Several commercial buildings are also taller.

It will be just 65 feet taller than the new luxury tower being built at Ballpark Village.

But the design is what is unique.

Overlooking Forest Park, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the units are designed to have wide views east and west which would include the park and the downtown.

“In a climate with four distinct seasons, we wanted to make it possible for residents to enjoy the different views and natural changes in light over the course of the year,” Gang said. “By experimenting with the geometry of the facade and refining the apartment layouts, we were able to make every apartment into a corner unit perched above the park and city.”

Tiers of four stories will repeat over the height of the building, with the facade’s angles producing outdoor terraces for a fourth of the apartments. Working with opportunities provided by the site orientation and environmental forces, the building’s leaflike shape and tiered design will cut energy use and increase residents’ comfort, Gang said.

This is the Studio Gang’s first project in St. Louis.

The developer, Mac Properties, owns other apartment buildings nearby in the Central West End, in Chicago’s Hyde Park and in Midtown Kansas City.

There will be a luxury price for these apartments at around $3 per square foot.

Those are Chicago prices.

Eli Ungar, founder of Mac Properties, said about 40 percent of the apartments will have one bedroom. About 40 percent will have two bedrooms and the remainder will be divided equally between studio and three-bedroom units. Rents near $3 per square foot per month, high for St. Louis, are possible in a neighborhood as “exquisite” as the Central West End, he said.

One Hundred will be the growing neighborhood’s “newest and shiniest” development and will be “in line with the nicest stuff in Clayton,” Ungar said.

The building’s website is now active.

Move-ins are expected in summer 2020.

Is this building a sign that St Louis is turning a corner?

See the building’s website here.

This 4-bedroom single family home at 2118 Lafayette in Lafayette Square in St. Louis came on the market in February 2019.

Built in 1870 on a large 35×165 lot, it has a fully fenced in yard and a 2-car garage.

The homes directly on the Square are larger than those built on the surrounding streets. This is where the rich lived.

This home is 3 stories with 4542 square feet.

It has many of its vintage features including 6 fireplaces, extensive carved crown molding (look at the pictures of the ceiling molding in that parlor. I’ve never seen anything like it) and pocket doors.

The dining room has wood wainscot paneling and a tray ceiling.

The kitchen has been “updated” with maple cabinets, stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a screened in patio off the kitchen.

There’s also a family room on the second floor.

Two bedrooms are on the second floor and two are on the third floor.

There’s a second floor laundry.

The backyard boasts a deck and brick courtyard.

Originally listed at $649,000 in February 2019, it has been reduced $50,000 and is now listed $1,000 under its 2013 purchase price.

Is this too much house for today’s buyers?

Irene Hasegawa at Keller Williams Realty STL has the listing. See the pictures (including cool aerial shots where you can see the park and how far downtown and the Arch are) and a floor plan here.

2118 Lafayette: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4542 square feet

• Sold in December 2013 for $600,000 (per Redfin)
• Originally listed in February 2019 for $649,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $599,000
• Taxes of $9971
• Central Air
• 6 fireplaces
• 2 car garage
• Bedroom #1: 12×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×15 (third floor)

This 1-bedroom at 434 W. Aldine in East Lakeview came on the market in May 2019.

Built in 1910, this building has 20 units but no garage or parking. It has a common deck.

This unit has been freshly painted and has some vintage features like crown moldings.

It also has a vintage feature found in many units: a small sunroom which faces south.

The kitchen has white cabinets and appliances along with a breakfast bar.

The listing says the bedroom can fit a king-sized bed.

There’s no central air, just a window-unit a/c. There’s also no washer/dryer in the unit or parking.

But with a listing price of $225,000, is this a good starter apartment in a popular neighborhood?

Jesse Trevino at Century 21 SGR has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2B: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 1995 for $92,000
• Sold in August 2000 for $148,000
• Sold in July 2002 for $167,500
• Sold in April 2004 for $182,500
• Sold in July 2008 for $215,000
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $225,000
• Currently still listed at $225,000
• Assessments of $215 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $3154
• No central air- window air unit
• No parking
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom: 14×14
• Living room: 14×13
• Sunroom: 11×7
• Kitchen: 14×5

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1818 Lasalle in Lafayette Square in St Louis came on the market in June 2019.

Lafayette Square is a historic area which surrounds the oldest park west of the Mississippi River.

The homes are larger than in nearby Soulard with some directly across from the park being in the “mansion” category.

This is the neighborhood the rich originally lived in.

The area has always been well maintained but in recent years, shops and trendy restaurants have gone into the neighborhood along with loft apartments.

A hotel and more apartments are slated to go into an abandoned 9-acre industrial site just to the north of the historic area which could bring even more life to the area.

Some Lafayette Square homes still have their horse hitching posts near the street.

This home was built in 1896.

They were actually painting the third floor window trim when I walked by (so sorry that the picture is partially blocked.)

Yes, it’s painted blue. There were also purple, pink and yellow homes in this neighborhood along with lush trees and flowers.

It’s built on a 25×120 lot but has no garage. However, it looks like the gated back yard opens and there is parking on the brick patio.

It has many of its vintage features including 3 fireplaces and pocket doors.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor with one currently being used as a family room.

The master suite is on the top floor along with an updated master bath.

The eat-in kitchen has maple cabinets, a Viking range and a second electric oven.

LaSalle in St Louis is spelled “Lasalle.” In Chicago, the “s” is capitalized.

This house is just steps from popular restaurants Eleven Eleven, Planters House, Vin de Set, and Hamiltons and just 3 blocks to Lafayette Park.

If you’re a vintage house lover, Lafayette Square should be on your list.

Creighton Brinson at Re/Max Gold VI has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1818 Lasalle: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2966 square feet

• Originally listed in March 2019 for $489,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $455,000
• Taxes of $5,270
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Parking on the brick patio
• Bedroom #1: 20×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 18×13 (third floor)

This 4-bedroom single family home at 4904 Pershing Place in St. Louis’ Central West End came on the market in June 2019.

Built in 1897 it’s on a small lot and doesn’t appear to have any parking.

But it’s on what the listing calls a “coveted” private street which has an assessment of $450 a year.

The kitchen has white cabinets, a Termador gas stove and Subzero refrigerator.

There’s a sun room and a partially furnished lower level with a family room.

The house also has two laundries, one in the basement and one on the second floor.

It has central air and a bricked patio.

The Central West End is the trendiest neighborhood in St. Louis with shops like Lululemon, the always present Starbucks, a movie theater and a bunch of restaurants.

The housing in the area is reminiscent of Lincoln Park.

Listed at $599,900, you’re going to pay a premium to live in this hot neighborhood.

Mark Gellman at Coldwell Banker Premier Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

4904 Pershing Place: 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 half baths, 3701 square feet

• Sold in April 2009 for $450,000 (per Redfin)
• Listed in June 2019 for $599,900
• Assessments are $450 a year (for private street)
• Taxes of $8820
• Central Air
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 17×14 (master bedroom)
• Bedroom #2: 14×17
• Bedroom #3: 15×14
• Bedroom #4: 14×15
• Recreation Room: 11×10 (lower level)

This 5-bedroom mansion at 5165 Lindell Boulevard in Central West came on the market in May 2019.

Built in 1908 by architects Mariner & La Beaume, the listing describes it as the “golden age” of St. Louis architecture.

Lindell runs on the north side of Forest Park, the largest urban park in America. It is lined with mansions and backs up to two of the most famous streets in the country: Westmoreland and Portland, which are “private” gated streets that also sport dozens of mansions.

You can’t even walk down Westmoreland or Portland. Here are the Portland Place gates that close off the neighborhood.

This house sports its original millwork and 7 fireplaces.

It has a chef’s kitchen with luxury stainless steel appliances and what looks like a servants kitchen/prep space adjacent to the kitchen.

The third floor has a theater, kitchenette, message room and an outdoor terrace with a hot tub.

There’s a master suite with a spa-like bathroom.

Like any good mansion, it has a carriage house with a guest suite.

The landscaped grounds has a terrace and a saltwater pool.

It has central air and a 3-car garage on a 100×200 lot.

Forest Park is across the street and it’s within blocks of the shops and restaurants of Central West End, which is the Lincoln Park of St. Louis.

Chicago has its share of vintage mansions too but St. Louis’ mansions really show the concentration of wealth around the time it hosted the 1904 Worlds Fair.

Kevin Hurley at Janet McAfee Inc. has the listing. See the pictures here.

5165 Lindell Blvd: 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 2 half baths, 11,000 square feet

• Was listed in May 2019 at $2,295,000
• Currently still listed at $2,295,000
• Taxes of $23,835
• Central Air
• 7 fireplaces
• Saltwater pool
• Carriage house with guest suite
• 3 car garage
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 28×26
• Bedroom #3: 19×17
• Bedroom #4: 19×16

This 2-bedroom at the Ruckert on 12th at 2330 S. 12th in Soulard in St. Louis came on the market in June 2019.

This building was constructed by Henry Ruckert in 1889 and has 6 units and partial garage parking (by partial that means there is a door on a carport but the garage is not enclosed. This seems to be common in St. Louis.)

This unit appears to be a lower level garden unit.

The listing says it has 9 windows on 3 sides.

It has dark hardwood floors on the main level.

The kitchen has gray cabinets, white counter tops, a white subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances, including a wine fridge.

The two bedrooms have en suite bathrooms.

There’s also a half bath in the living areas.

The building has an elevator and a shared rooftop deck with city views.

The listing says it has a 95% tax abatement approved.

It has central air and washer/dryer hook-ups in the unit.

Originally listed in June 2019 for $285,000, it has been reduced $10,000 to $275,000.

I had a hard time finding condos in Soulard to feature. Most of the properties were single family homes.

Are condos a hard sell in a neighborhood with so many single family homes?

Curt Wintrode at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #100: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1,199 square feet

• Sold in July 2018 for $252,900 (per Redfin)
• Originally listed in June 2019 for $285,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $275,000
• Assessments of $269 a month
• Taxes of $636
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer hook-ups in the unit
• Covered parking included
• Bedroom #1: 10×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×13

This historic 4-bedroom brick single family home at 2309 S. 12th in Soulard in St. Louis came on the market in April 2018.

Built in 1890, it is a rare home that is on a double lot measuring 50×142 in the historic Soulard neighborhood which has small, irregular lots laid out by the French.

The listing says it has a new 2-car garage which the listing says will accommodate even the largest SUV.

The house has some of its vintage features including pocket doors and high ceilings.

There are 2 vintage fireplaces, but neither seems functional.

The kitchen has white cabinets, Carrera marble counter tops, a center island and luxury stainless steel appliances.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor including the master suite which has a white bathroom with double sinks and a custom shower.

The fourth bedroom is on the third floor with its own bathroom.

There’s a half bath on the main floor.

I can’t tell if there’s a basement. There appears to be but it’s unclear if its built-out.

The house has central air.

The listing says the lot is big enough to build a pool.

Originally listed at $650,000 in April 2018, it has been reduced by $60,000 to $590,000.

That still makes it among the most expensive home in this neighborhood.

Is it hard to have the most expensive property in a neighborhood?

Jennifer Garcia at Garcia Properties has the listing. It’s agent owned. See the pictures here.

2309 S 12th: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3100 square feet

• Sold in November 2016 for $130,000
• Originally listed in April 2018 for $650,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $590,000
• Taxes of $3153
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• Double lot
• 2 vintage fireplaces (non-functional)
• Bedroom #1: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×14 (third floor)

I recently spent some time in St. Louis.

St. Louis was the fourth largest city in America at one point (as was Charleston, South Carolina, incidentally.)

Much of its historic architecture remains.

Is St. Louis a buying opportunity for architecture lovers priced out of Washington DC, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia?

I’ll be cribbing on St. Louis properties all week.

You might be surprised at what is going on there.

This 2-bedroom historic single family home at 1219 Victor in Soulard came on the market just 6 days ago and was under contract in 4 days.

Soulard is the oldest neighborhood in St. Louis and was originally founded by the French. Much of the homes are brick, with French-American style construction including iron balconies as you’d find in New Orleans.

The neighborhood preservation group became active in the 1980s and managed to save many of the structures. It is a city and National landmark district.

Soulard features the oldest farmers market west of the Mississippi River and the second largest Mardi Gras in America.

The Anheuser Busch brewery anchors the south end of the neighborhood.

It’s just about a mile and a half from downtown along the Mississippi River.

Built in 1891 on a 28×68 lot, the brick house has some of its historic features such as pocket doors and a refurbished cornice.

The house has just 1580 square feet and no garage or parking.

Street parking was plentiful when I was there on a Saturday.

Also, apparently many homeowners drive golf carts around the hilly neighborhood. I saw a half a dozen just parked outside homes and restaurants.

It has two fireplace mantles (they are non-functional) and high ceilings.

There’s a half bath on the main level and the full bath on the second floor.

The kitchen has what look like wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The house has a full walk-out basement.

It has a double deck and a brick patio.

The house has central air, a must in hot and humid St. Louis.

Soulard is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. This was one of the few single family homes currently for sale in the neighborhood under $200,000.

If you love historic homes, is Soulard a hidden gem?

Mona Parsley at Re/Max Gold VI has the listing. See the pictures here.

1219 Victor: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1580 square feet

• Originally listed in 2007 for $225,000
• Reduced many times
• Removed from the market in 2012at $185,000
• Currently listed at $187,400
• Under contract in 4 days
• Taxes of $3576
• Central Air
• No parking
• 2 fireplace mantles (non functional)
• Bedroom #1: 10×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×15 (second floor)
• Office/bonus room: 6×9

This 4-bedroom penthouse in The Pinnacle at 21 E. Huron in River North came on the market in February 2017.

The Pinnacle was constructed in 2004 and has an attached parking garage.

It’s a full service building with 213 units and a doorman.

This penthouse is on the 46th floor and has 360 degree views from its floor-to-ceiling windows.

The elevator opens into a private foyer.

All four bedrooms are en suite and the master suite has 2 large walk-in-closets.

There’s a 1000 bottle wine room.

The kitchen has white modern cabinets, stone counter tops and luxury stainless steel appliances.

There’s a 250 square foot east facing recessed terrace with lake views.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 garage spaces in the resident only garage included.

Originally listed in February 2017 for $4.95 million, it has been reduced to $3.7 million.

That’s the same price it sold for in 2013.

6 years after that sale, there are a dozen new luxury towers in Chicago with several more still under construction.

Are developers overbuilding the luxury condo market?

Randi Pellar at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4601: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 5300 square feet

• Sold in January 2006 for $3.9 million
• Sold in June 2013 for $3.7 million
• Originally listed in February 2017 for $4.95 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $3.7 million
• Assessments of $4990 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $86,575
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 Garage Spaces Included
• Bedroom #1: 26×16
• Bedroom #2: 19×11
• Bedroom #3: 14×12
• Bedroom #4: 16×15
• Family room: 22×16
• Laundry room: 10×5
• Terrace: 17×12