Why Are the San Luis Apartments Worth Saving?
By Keegan Hamilton in Community
Thu., Jan. 22 2009 @ 12:44PM
Ever since the St. Louis Archdiocese announced plans late last year to demolish the San Luis Apartments on Lindell Boulevard in the Central West End, the local blogosphere has been wringing its collective hands like it's St. Peters Basilica that's about to be torn down.
The big issue, it seems, is that the Archdiocese wants to replace the building with a surface parking lot instead of redeveloping it into apartments. This is a legitimate qualm. St. Louis already has more parking spaces than the Mall of America and a large expanse of concrete certainly doesn't add much in the way of scenery. I don't think anyone is buying the Archdiocese's claims that a "green lot" with lots of shrubs and trees and proper drainage is really going to make things much better.
Vanishing STL called the move, "a slap in the face to vibrant neighborhood," the Landmarks Association named the building one of the "Top Ten Most Endangered of 2008," and one comment at Urban St. Louis said the proposal is, "an egregious affront to the Central West End National Register Historic District."
Nothing like a little hyperbole to get the folks riled up. Tonight, a group is meeting at Coffee Cartel in the CWE to, "discuss the situation and plan a course of action."
Am I the only person who thinks this thing is about as ugly as a building can get?
Still, since the city narrowed the lanes on Lindell to install turn lanes at every intersection, parking on the side of the street is just asking to lose your side-view mirror to the fender of a passing SUV. New off-street parking might not be such a bad thing after all.
The other bone that's being picked by the preservationists is that the San Luis is supposedly "historic." The building, originally called the DeVille Motor Hotel, opened in 1963 and was designed by prominent architect Charles Colbert. It became a Holiday Inn in 1966 and it was eventually purchased by the Archdiocese, who turned it into housing for senior citizens. As of last year, all of the old folks have been relocated to new housing.
Click here for a much more exhaustive history of the place.
The structure is "eligible for consideration" for a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, and those who like the building cite it as a fine example of "Mid-century modernism," which seems like a fancy way of saying, "hulking gray mass of concrete."
The cold war was not a golden age for architecture. Compared to the turn of the century high-rises and mansions that line Lindell, the San Luis is heinous. And since it abuts the Cathedral Basilica, one of the prettiest spots in the entire city, you can't help but notice the eyesore as you take in the eye candy.
Here's one vote to tear the fucker down.
I think I stayed in an East German squat designed by the same people.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 22 2009 @ 2:52PMUm why are people fighting to keep these building from being razed....they are hideous looking....clearly built in the late 50's to early 60's when asolutely nothing (might be a little bit of an overstatement) was built with any asthetic value or appeal....
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 22 2009 @ 3:56PMPersonally, I think there's not nearly enough parking in the CWE as it is. Please, PLEASE let it be a free public parking lot.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 22 2009 @ 4:00PMOne more thing about Mid-century modernism from an architecture standpoint...just because everyone was doing it does not mean that it looks good/cool/etc.....Its like clothing fads, just because someone felt men's capri's were fashionable, does not mean they must be bought and worn
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 22 2009 @ 4:02PMIf we demolish it and create another building, it will benefit lindell blvd., construction jobs, and my eyes when driving past it. HOWEVER, it shall not be a parking lot. That is a disgrace to an urban lifestyle. A parking lot full of cars is a severely uglier sight than the San Luis (and incidentally not bring more people to the CWE).
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 22 2009 @ 4:08PMYuck to most comments above, including the original post.
Modernism is only now disfavored. All architectural styles must mature in the public eye before their unabashedly considered historic. Mid-century Moderns are starting to earn their rightful recognition: after all, they represent a bold break from traditionalism; they used materials that were inexpensive and plentiful then, resulting in a cost-effective and then-contemporary design; they are, after a wave of blase post-modern neo-eclectic suburban design, highly unique.
With a bit of a polishing off, San Luis could gleam.
Of course, when the San Luis was built, all the commentators at the time despised Victorian-era architecture, which is now coveted. It's best not to ignore history.
Another overlooked aspect of urban design is scale. While some buildings aren't terribly attractive, they do exhibit an awareness of surroundings in their massing, setback, and height. While San Luis may seem a sore thumb compared to nearby turn of the century apartment buildings, it's actually got massing, scale, and height just right. To me, it helps form a cohesive and coherent street wall on a very urban-feeling boulevard.
Still, if you're convinced the building is an aesthetic loss anyhow--well, a parking lot is just about the worst replacement. There is already a garage that is not at capacity a block west on Euclid and Lindell. St. Louis should not be providing ever more conveniences for the much too pampered driver. The elderly and handicapped would benefit from parking in the Euclid/Lindell garage and receiving shuttle service.
To in any way justify its demolition is a major disservice to urban St. Louis. It's amazing how St. Louis can't even buy into the whole "green" movement like other sane, progressive cities. Even if it's a hideous building, if it can be reused, why not keep the building standing rather than in a landfill?
More flippant cynicism/disinterest that St. Louis could do without!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 3:04AMI can't say it any better than Matt did above.
Regardless of your feelings toward the aesthetics of this particular building, a surface parking lot would be worse.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 10:38AMTear it down, build a better looking building and put a parking garage underneath it...that way the surface lot will be underground.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 10:48AMKeegan Hamilton is a snob, juvenile use of "fucker" aside. (The RFT reminds me of that kid just learning how to swear.)
Just because this building is not some frou-frou Victorian mansion or overdone church, it's not great architecture? Just because it's not 100 years old, it's not historic?
Come on. These same arguments were used against the gilded age mansions 50 years ago, also by know-nothing, stuck-up journalists who knew nothing of architecture.
If you think the DeVille is bad, call the Roberts Brothers. They just spent millions rehabbing the old Bel Air, a retro-cool motel from the 1950s, one block west.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 11:38AMTearing down buildings, no matter how ugly, for a parking lot is just plain stupid. The building may not be attractive in some peoples eyes now, but just like trends in clothing (as someone mentioned above) trends in architecture come full circle. This building is prime for reuse. And to the people who say there isn't enough parking in the CWE, UHHH you're kidding right?! This is the city, too much parking will destory the character of the CWE. Welcome to the big city kids. Save the San Luis!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 11:45AMAs a resident of the CWE, I wish they would build a parking structure of some sort there. It is hard enough trying to find a place to park without having to fight the crowds that park along the street every weekend for mass.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 2:10PMIronically, Seth, the structure has parking built in. The spaces, however, were deemed too small for today's standards.
I, for one, wouldn't mind rewarding drivers with compact cars who would like to use the built-in San Luis parking.
Forgetting even that fact, how far away do you have to park on weekends, Seth? I just consider that the reality of urban life while owning a car.
I remember when I owned the truck down here in New Orleans. I would have to park three blocks away some weekends because there simply are no spaces. That's a sign that a neighborhood is popular. It also helps push people on sidewalks that desperately need the pedestrians--both for safety and for the benefit of small scale retail and restaurant operations (who sees a Mom 'n' Pop while whizzing by in a car at 35 mph?).
Another solution, which I don't mind for the sake of residents who must put up with the typical downsides of nightlife revelers, is to restrict parking on residential streets to those who have a residential pass. In New Orleans, you can park in a residential neighborhood for only two hours without a residential pass. Otherwise, you get ticketed. And they DO enforce it. Likewise, in Chicago, most residential side streets abutting North Halsted are parking permit only.
The inconvenience experienced in trying to find a parking space will drive away some. Hopefully, though, the area's assets are enough in demand that people will either put up with the struggle or find an alternative--transit, carpools, walking, taxi, etc.
That's how urban neighborhoods work. With a garage a block west, and since the San Luis already contains internal spaces, this parcel does NOT need to be parking.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 2:51PMI agree with some of the commenters above. Tearing this place down to replace it with a parking lot is a terrible idea. Have you folks been downtown lately? We have lots of big, empty parking lots - which is exactly what this would turn into as well.
For those living in the CWE and lamenting the lack of parking, yes, that probably stinks. However, I've never had trouble visiting friends there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, even when I need to park my car. Yes, I've had to walk a few blocks, but that's part of living in a dense, urban neighborhood. Once you drop the density to add surface parking, you're going to lose a lot of what makes the CWE a great neighborhood.
I live in Lafayette Square. 40 years ago they wanted to tear down the houses and the park to build a truck stop off I-44. Victorian homes were ugly and not worth saving. Now it's regarded as both a lovely neighborhood and an architectural gem. Just because something isn't en vogue right now, doesn't mean we won't lament it once it is gone.
For the record, I think modern architecture is usually hideous - but my likings have certainly changed over the years, too. Oh, and ALL parking lots are ugly.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 5:44PMI just can't get over some of the idiotic comments here. For those who wish for a PARKING LOT on this very high-profile intersection, please move to Ballwin. God forbid you walk your lazy asses a block or two. I bet you're the same ones who praise Chicago, Boston, NYC, etc. for being so vibrant and exciting-- "Oh, we can walk everywhere!"-- and then come home and bitch about how St. Louis is dead and boring, yet they bitch and complain when they can't park two feet from their destination. Stop your bitching and move to burbs if you can't handle a short walk.
Cities are built for people, not cars. That said, the San Luis beautifully integrates both in its design.
For those who have no imagination, I ask you to look at the newly-rehabbed Hotel Indigo and the Washington Avenue Apartments downtown(formerly the Days Inn). Neither of these buildings were as striking as the San Luis, and both are now shining examples of mid-century sleekness. The San Luis looks scrappy because of neglect, but with a little paint, some nice lighting and landscaping, it would be a gem, and a swanky one at that. Nobody visits a neighborhood because parking is plentiful. For once, let's show the rest of the country that St. Louis doesn't have its head up its ass and take the common-sense approach. This building, in this location, in this day in age, is a no-brainer. Use a little imagination, people.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 7:14PMThe scourge of suburban sprawl pattern land development (or degradation, in the case of the intended demolition of the San Luis) shouldn't be what defines our city. Let's please stop treating our city like crap, and begin to finally see the potential that lies in what urban fabric we already have. Removing urban fabric for suburban sprawl is just mindlessly idiotic, and anyone who would question the desire of urbanists and preservationists to prevent such mindlessness must really only have been posing the question rhetorically. There's no way anyone with any journalistic credibility would ask such a thing.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 11:44PM"Am I the only person who thinks this thing is about as ugly as a building can get?"
Really? You obviously have zero taste in architecture. As such, you are not qualified to credibly write about this topic. I moved to St. Louis in part for its historic architecture. The fact that so many people, including this publication, are begging for the destruction of this building makes me regret moving here.
Hyperbole? I think not. This project is symbolic of the city in general and as such, a demolition of this building is a demolition of what potential St. Louis holds as a world class urban environment.
The fact that the RFT votes to tear down an architecturally important building makes me not want to read their drivel ever again. Fuck off RFT, get a clue.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 24 2009 @ 1:48AMMy comment, that this demolition would be an egregious affront to the Central West End Historic District, rings true.
Architectural bias, such as those held by the author of this blog post, led to the demolition of Real Estate Row and it's replacement by useless green space and the banal Gateway One Building.
Mid Century Modern might be a style which has some detractors, but the same applies for any period of architecture. Victorian styles were once heavily threatened, viewed as gaudy and excessive. Many buildings fell as bias contributed to demolition.
I think we've reached an enlightened state in St. Louis, where we can judge a building not only on it's architectural merit, but it's contribution to the diverse surrounding neighborhood. The San Luis enhances the Lindel Street scape with it's unique style, expressed in other surrounding Mid Century Buildings. These offerings are what separate us from other cities and most especially suburbia.
Demolition of a solidly in tact, and functional building, for a parking lot, happens to be the most environmentally negligent decision. The resources put into this building's construction were significant, as many could argue it was over-engineered. Demolition will also pose a significant cost including waste disposal and man hours.
Larry Giles notes a 1975 HUD Report, in his Gateway Mall Scrapbook, which indicates that the rehabilitation of a historic civic building created more jobs than demolition and new construction. The author also stresses heavily that demolition and new construction imposes a far greater environmental cost.
Given the negative impact upon both the Central West End Historic District, and environmental concerns, the only urban/green solution must be rehabilitation. As it could get on the National Register of Historic Places, careful planning could result in financial stimuli that makes rehabilitation a no brainier.
Demolition of this building must only be categorized as lunacy.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 24 2009 @ 1:43PMWe should at least try to convince the AD to save the building, and we can help this by informing as many St. Louisans and CWE neighbors as possible.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 24 2009 @ 4:48PMI think the San Luis looks awesome. Mid-century modernism is under attack everywhere in St. Louis. It's up to everyone to stand up to back seat architects and challenge the need for destruction rather than rehab. How many valuable buildings has St. Louis lost because certain people thought they were "ugly" in their own time? Modernism is about to make a comeback in a big way. It would be tragic if St. Louis demolished the fine examples it already has.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 26 2009 @ 8:07AMWho cares if the building is ugly? We need housing, not another parking lot!! I wonder how those people can sleep at night dreaming about empty lots when they can have a wonderful buzzing urban atmosphere full of people, not cars?
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 26 2009 @ 8:57AMThey don't know any better, and that's why we must help them to understand.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 26 2009 @ 6:12PMI agree with the writer about the ugliness of gray concrete slabs, and hope to join him in a crusade to demolish that ugly box of a Pulitzer museum, the dreadful Contemporary Art Museum and the cold-war relic Kemper Museum. Mr. Hamilton, your fine criticism will help us get rid of the blight that some call "modern architecture" just like some people consider James Joyce more than hard-to-read drek. The avant garde has despoiled our city with horrendously ugly architecture that we are somehow supposed to think is beautiful. What is wrong with classical design and revival styles? Those are the styles that people actually LOVE. The IKEA-ization of America is but the latest step forward in the scheme to perpetuate ugly design. Objectors are supposed to be middle-brow dolts because we actually love beauty, and convenience (I mean, what truly is wrong with parking lots? They aren't "hip"?)
Mr. Hamilton, mercy to you for standing up against the terrorism known as Modernism that our elites have shoved down our throats for too long. Let us continue to move forward and push for demolition of the aforementioned Not-So-Amusing Museums. Mr. Hamilton has brought us to our senses on this silly cause. No more pretending that we don't want an SUV ride to church, or a six-paneled door leading to the laundry room, or a house that looks like a colonial state capital. We don't have to make ourselves suffer.
Posted On: Monday, Feb. 2 2009 @ 2:46PMJoin the Friends of the San Luis as we show a little affection for our much-maligned beauty. Tired of hearing her labeled "ugly," "mediocre," and an "eyesore," we aim to capitalize on the general fuzzy feelings to tout the building's worth and incredible potential. Folks will be meeting at 11am at the intersection of Euclid and Maryland to distribute flyers and spread the love throughout the neighborhood, and will come together at noon to give the San Luis one giant, proverbial hug. All are welcome (especially at noon), so bring your sweetheart and kick off your Valentine's Day by serving your city well!
Posted On: Friday, Feb. 6 2009 @ 2:48PMThis building might have been lovely in its day, but not now. I live across the street and look at the eyesore daily. Many windows have blown out and the blinds blow in the wind. Water stands everywhere and in the underground parking area. What a problem that will be this spring for mosquitos. Often an alarm rings constantly. One night I got the guard to the door to complain, and he couldn't do anything about it. The rooms are full of garbage and junk. He said many were locked and couldn't be opened. What are your plans for the nasty building? Do you have an investor to bring this building back up to par? Or do we just watch it decay and rot, because it was once nice. Many people have said how beautiful it is. Who, however, has offered the money or solution to restore the building.
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