THE LAFAYETTE REPORT: Missouri: Saint Louis: Downtown

Just South of the Arch and Downtown St. Louis, there is a flood wall with graffiti known as the "Riverfront Graffiti Wall". It was once the site of a graffiti artist contest known as Paint St. Louis where each artist had a section of the wall and an allotted time to create his or her work. Although the contest has since moved to other cities, the graffiti on the flood wall just south of Downtown St. Louis remains.

Now:

Then:

Intested in finding artist lofts for sale or lease in St Louis, Missouri?  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

CityGarden is now open...

CityGarden, a new 2.9 acres sculpture park in Downtown St. Louis, located between 8th Street and 10th Street and between Market Street and Chestnut Street, made its debut on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.  The CityGarden is a new urban sculpture park and is a great addition to the Gateway Mall project between the Old Courthouse and the Civil Courts Building.  It will join its brethren on the mall - Kiener Plaza and Serra Sculpture Park - as a great meeting place for residents of the City of St. Louis.  It will also join the ranks of Laumeir Sculpture Parkas the second sculpture park in the St. Louis area.  CityGarden is open to the publc from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.  It also joins the rank of great free attractions in the St. Louis area including the St. Louis Art Museum, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, and St. Louis Zoo.

Fun Facts...

• 2.9 Acres
• Cost to Build - $30 million
• Cost of Art Work - $12 million
• Public-Private Partnership between City of St. Louis and the Gateway Foundation
• Landscape Architect - Nelson byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
• General Contractor - BSI Constructors
• Water Features include 180 ft. basin, interactive spray fountain with 100 nozzles, and flowing water scrim
• Plant materials include 240 tree, 1100 shrubs, 8000 bulbs, and 12000 ground cover plants chosen with the Missouri Botanical Gardens for low-maintenance, low water requirements and native to the region
• Green landscaping sedum plantings for roof materials, recycled water from fountains, and captured and filtered rainwater for irrigation
• Terrace Vew, new restaurant run by Jim Fiala, owner of the restaurants Liluma, the Crossing and Acero.

Take a Quick Look at the New CityGarden...

Emily Pulitzer and the Pulitzer family, former owners of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, have made so many contributions to St. Louis and its art community, including the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, the Serra Sculpture Park, and the Pulitzer Lake in Forest Park.  Although the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is no longer owned by the Pulitizer family, the daily paper has kept up the Pulitzer tradition and has published a number of great articles on CityGarden.  Here are two interactive media pieces:  CityGarden Video and CityGarden Panoramic Photographs.

Photo Tour...

The Serra Sculpture Park (West of City Garden) Looking West to Civil Courts Building

The Gateway Mall Looking East to the Gateway Arch

 A Great Way to Tour the Gateway Mall

9th Street to 10th Street - Fluffy Bunnies and More 

9th Street to 10th Street - Pinnochio and a Great Fountain

9th Street to 10th Street - Making Music Steps

8th Street to 9th Street - Moving with the Wind

8th Street to 9th Street - Over the Falls and Much More

Then and Now...

Here are some links to photographs of historic buildings previously located on this site:

• Interactive Map from BuildStLouis featuring Photos of Historic Buildings located on the Gateway Mall
• It is my vague childhood recollection that the new CityGarden was built on land previously occupied by 905 Liquors and Kentucky Fried Chicken.  If any readers have an old photo of the area, I would love to post it.

Thank You - Gateway Foundation and the City of St. Louis

I honestly don't know who to thank.  This type of public art project doesn't happen overnight and I am sure that there are many who played an integral role.  However, the Gateway Foundation, founded by the late Aaron and Teresa Fischer in 1986, has certainly left an important legacy to the City of St. Louis through its lighting, parks, playground, and art projects.  Here are some examples of their good works:

• Lighting:  Arch, Bissell Water Tower, Christ Church Cathedral, Civil Courts Building, Compton Hill Water Tower, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Gateway Center for Resource Efficiency, Grand Avenue Water Tower, Old St. Louis Courthouse, 1904 World's Fair Flight Cage, and Missouri History Museum.
• Parks & Playgrounds:  Adams Park Water Feature, Penrose Park Playground, Ethan A.H. Shepley Memorial, and Simmons Marshal Elementary School.
• Public Art Installations:  See, visit the interactive map.

The CityGarden is a great spot for picnics or simply walking among the art.  It is a fun environment for kids and adults alike - with art you can touch and that touches and moves you.

Just another reason to live in the City... Interested in a change in lifestyle?  Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Reatly at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com to see what city living is all about.  Or, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com.

Property:  The Meridian - 1136 Washington Avenue, Unit 204 (63101) (2 BR/2Ba/1254 sq.ft.) 

12 Month Lease - $1,300 per Month (includes HVAC and 1-Garage Parking Space)

THE MERIDIAN - CONTEMPORARY LOFTS IN THE WASHINGTON AVENUE LOFT DISTRICT

This contemporary 2-bedroom loft is available for lease in the much sought-after Meridian building overlooking Tucker Boulevard in the heart of the Washington Avenue Loft District. Soaring 14ft vaulted concrete ceilings, expansive windows, modern-designed open floor plan and exposed brick gives this space an urban sophistication. The kitchen boasts granite countertops, stainless appliances (refrigerator included) and rich maple cabinets with frosted glass inserts. The spacious master bedroom suite includes a large walk-in closet, and the master bath features Jacuzzi tub, separate glass shower and granite countertops. Pets welcome. Heating & cooling included in the rent, plus a new washer and dryer! A reserved parking spot in the climate controlled garage is also included in the rent, but being on the second floor of The Meridian means you are just steps from all the excellent dining, entertainment and shopping that Downtown St. Louis has to offer!!!

In-Suite Masterbath with Separate Shower and Jacuzzi Tub - Full Ceramic Tile Surround - Granite Countertops.

Guest Bathroom with Walk-In Glass Show - Full Ceramic Tile Surround - Grantie Countertops.

The Open Floor Plan includes a Kitchen with Eat-In Breakfast Bar, Island, Maple Cabinets with Frosted Glass Inserts, Granite Countertops and Stainless Appliances.

Stained Concrete Floors - Exposed Brick - Large Oversized Windows Offer Plenty of Light.

Great Location at the Corner of Washington Avenue and Tucker - 2 Blocks from Courthouse and City Hall.

Just Outside your Door - Copia Wine Bar and Flamingo Bowl - Cocktails, Bowling and More.

DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS IS ALIVE... WALK TO WORK OR SIMPLY EXPERIENCE THE GREAT RESTAURANTS, CLUBS, AND ATTRACTIONS RANGING FROM CITY MUSEUM TO CASINOS TO SCOTTRADE CENTER AND BUSCH STADIUM... WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF METROLINK WITH SHORT STOPS TO LANDING, UNION STATION, SLU UNIVERSITY, BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL, CENTRAL WEST END, CLAYTON, UNIVERSITY LOOP, AND THE AIRPORT.

For more information or to schedule a showing, contact Michelle Silies at 314-397-3182 or send an e-mail to Michelle@PREASignatureRealty.com.