THE LAFAYETTE REPORT: May 2009

Interested in purchasing a home in Lafayette Square?  Try this FREE search tool from RealBird. 

Need a More Comprehensive Search?  Click on:  Automated Home Search and we will search the MLS for your and send you periodic updates reflecting new listings and price changes.

Ready to Schedule a Showing to See the Property?  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Twilight Tuesday Concerts are back at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.  Three concerts remain:

     May 26 - Motown Revue
     June 2 - Cavalcade of Jazz with Kirk Whalum
     June 9 - Dr. Zhivegas

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to the north lawn/fountain area of the museum each Tuesday night for the free outdoor concert series.  This concert series features some of the area's most popular musicians.  Bring your own dinner and wine, purchase your beverages and boxed dinner meals from Patty Long Catering, or visit the Boathouse in Forest Park, Atlas in the Debalivere neighborhood, or the other great restaurants in the Central West End before or after the concerts - all within walking distance of the Missouri History Museum.  

Each concert starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends around 8:30 p.m.

Interested in City Living? Let us show you home.  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com to discuss your purchase of a new home in the City of St. Louis.

Interested in City Living - but miss the joys of gardening such as toiling in the soil, fresh cut flowers, and cooking with fresh herbs and vegetables?    Urban living doesn't have to mean "no gardening."  Community gardens provide an opportunity to lease a plot for your garden. 

The Lafayette Square Community Garden is located at Park Avenue and Dolman next to PREA Signature Realty (1709 Park).  In addition to the garden plots, you may also rent the gazebo for outdoor parties and other intimate setting for your next group event. 

For the 2009 growing season, there is a waiting list.  Cost:  $20 per year plus 2 volunteer events.  For more information, contact the Linda Weiner at 314-621-7071.

Interested in purchasing a home, condo or loft in Lafayette Square?  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or stop by our office after visiting the garden.

Koman Properties breaks ground on the new Walgreens store in the Near Southside neighborhood South of Downtown St. Louis, East of Lafayette Square and West of LaSalle Park.  The new Walgreens store developed as a part of the Georgian Square project joins the Butler's Pantry's Palladium St. Louis developed by Gilded Age as part of Phase 2 of the Georgian project as two of the bright spots for commercial and retail development in the Near Southside neighborhood.

The site of the new Walgreens store is directly across from the Georgian, 104 residential condominiums developed by Gilded Age.  At a time when other national retailers (such as Starbucks) are closing stores, scaling back projects, or slowing the pace of development of projects, Walgreens seems intent on keeping its new store pipeline full in the St. Louis area.  Community leaders in the Near Southside neighborhood hope that the success of the Walgreens stores and the Palladium St. Louis catering facility and event venue will encourage further development in the area.  It is anticipated that the new Walgreens store will open for business in November, 2009.  Based on the progress made so far, it appears that the Walgreens store will be delivered on time.

Interested in relocating your business to Lafayette Square and need commercial or retail space?  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

You Might Not Recognize Me - I'm New to Town - So Here is a Little Background...

I recently signed a 4 year contract that runs through 2013.  My new position is for a company that has had five people manage it since 2000.  The company is rumored to be for sale after the death of its long-time owner.  Both my wife and I are from the East Coast - Whitinsville, Massachusetts for me and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for her.  In the past five years, I have worked in Philadelphia, New York, and St. Louis.  It was rumored that I was going to take a job in Washington, D.C. - but that was just a rumor.   I work in an industry that isn't exactly noted for its stability.  After my contract runs out in 4 years, I may need to sell and relocate to one of more than 32 cities.  I work in Downtown St. Louis.  Yet, I spend most the week hanging out in a park in Earth City.    So, in relocating to St. Louis, where would I want to live?  Let me tell you - Lafayette Square is the place.

Well, It Sounds Like Lafayette Square Might Just Be What Your Situation Requires...

Even in a buyer's market, Lafayette Square remains as one of the most stable places to live in the St. Louis' metropolitan area.  While median prices declined regionally, Lafayette Square experienced an 8% increase in median sales for 2008.  However, the purchase of a home isn't just a financial decision.  It is a lifestyle decision.  Here are a few of the great reasons to live in Lafayette Square:

• Location... Location... Location...
• Easy Access to All Major Highways - including Highways 44, 55, 64 and 70
• 5 Minutes to Downtown / 15 Minutes to the Airport / 22 Minutes to Ram's Park
• Stable Real Estate Market - Good Resale Value
• Proven Multi-Year Track Record of Median Price Increases - Strong Potential for Price Appreciation
• Strong and Active Neighborhood Association
• Popular Restaurants and Neighborhood Business District for Professional Services, Shopping and More
• Wide Selection of Styles of Homes ranging from Victorian era mansions to industrial lofts to new construction.
• Wide Variety in Home Price Ranges

Don't Believe It?  Just Ask the Coach...

Well, if you didn't get the hints in the first paragraph, I would like to introduce you to Lafayette Square's newest residents - St. Louis Ram's Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo and his wife Marie.  Recently, as reported in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Coach Spagnuolo appeared on Bernie Miklasz's sports talk radio show on WXOS (101.1 FM).  When asked about how he was adjusting to living in St. Louis, he replied:

My wife and I are both city people," Spagnuolo said. "Maria grew up in Philadelphia and lived in the city all her life. I didn't grow up in the city, but I've just kind of have gravitated to them. You like to enjoy the area you're in, and usually it's centered around the city or downtown. When you live outside the city, you say you're going to go downtown, but then you get lazy. But here, we're right in the middle of everything. And we love it so far. I understand that Lafayette Square is really something around Christmastime. We can't wait.

For the complete article, visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website StLToday.com by clicking on Bernie Miklasz's Column. 

So, if you are relocating to St. Louis, Missouri, Lafayette Square is the place to be.  But don't take my word for it - just ask the Coach.

Interested in purchasing a new home in Lafayette Square?  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.