Category Archives: Central West End
Diagnosing the Future: Modernism, Medicine and Historic Preservation
by Michael R. Allen Last week, the Chicago Commission on Landmarks for the second time unanimously voted to rescind the landmark designation for Bertrand Goldberg’s Prentice Women’s Hospital (completed in 1975). The vote essentially dooms the innovative concrete-shell modernist hospital … Continue reading
New Central West End Standards Will Protect Recent Past Architecture (Whatever That Will Be)
by Michael R. Allen On June 22, 2009, the Preservation Board voted 3-2 to grant preliminary approval to demolition of a landmark work of non-residential modern architecture designed by a renowned architect with a national practice, located in the Central … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End, Mid-Century Modern
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An Early HOK Building on Lindell
by Michael R. Allen Last summer, things were somewhat chaotic for two early buildings by giant firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (now HOK) located on Lindell Boulevard. While the old IBM Building (1959; 3800 Lindell), now Adorjan Hall at St. … Continue reading
Disasters on Lindell Boulevard, Past and Present
by Michael R. Allen The loss of the apartment building at 3949 Lindell Boulevard (rebuilt in 2009 after a 2007 fire) after a devastating fire on Monday has raised questions about lightweight construction’s fire resistance. Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson has … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End, Midtown, Severe Weather
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The Auto Club of Missouri’s Proud New Building
by Michael R. Allen After the Auto Club of Missouri’s adopted headquarters in the former Columbian Club at 3917 Lindell Boulevard burned in 1975, the organization sought to construct a new headquarters. The leadership decided to relocate the headquarters to … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End, Mid-Century Modern
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Carriage Factory, to Dealership, to Beer Truck Garage, to Bumper Shop
by Michael R. Allen As buildings go, the former Scudder Motor Truck Company Building at 3942-62 Laclede Avenue is not particularly lovely, or very well-known. No matter, because the building’s transition from the last days of carriage production to the … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End, National Register
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Preservation Through Recession on Laclede Avenue
by Michael R. Allen In June 2006, the St. Louis Business Journal reported the news that Highland Homes had placed the two-story residential building at 4557 Laclede Avenue under contract. At the time, the late 19th century two-flat housed the … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End
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Destroying Modern Architecture in St. Louis
by Michael R. Allen The twists and turns of mid-century modern preservation in the last three weeks have been heartening. Let’s recap: since the end of June we have witnessed St. Louis University chipping away at Hellmuth Obata & Kassabaum’s … Continue reading
Alderman Kennedy on the AAA Building
by Hon. Terry Kennedy Alderman Terry Kennedy represents the 18th Ward that includes the AAA Building. Today he sent this statement. I just want to correct some erroneous reporting recently made in the media. I do not support the demolition … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End, Mid-Century Modern
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Lindell Boulevard: St. Louis’ Modernism Corridor
by Michael R. Allen For years Toby Weiss and I have been giving tours of and writing about the unique concentration of mid-century modernism on Lindell Boulevard between Grand and Kingshighway. This significant concentration of modernism has sustained some losses … Continue reading
Posted in Central West End, Mid-Century Modern, Midtown
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