by Michael R. Allen
A few weeks ago Thomas Crone’s excellent The South Side of Luck posted a video of me talking about three south side buildings. Crone’s instructions: find “one that was interesting and safe; one that was interesting and undergoing some type of facelift; and one that was interesting and in danger of going away.”
After some thought and elimination of dozens of possibilities — ranging from City Hospital to that little abandoned stone house at Steins and Water streets — I chose the Avalon Theater (in danger), the St. Louis Hills Office Center (“some type of facelift” indeed) and a minor Harris Armstrong commission at 3524 Gravois (interesting).
All I did was talk; Crone was producer, Brandon McLaughlin did the audio, and director Tyler DePerro filmed it all. Although we dodged gloomy weather that seems hard to believe on this 100-degree day, the shoot is a neat little document. Check it out. The get more tales — some also told through moving pictures — of the city’s south side over at The South Side of Luck.
5 replies on “Three South Side Buildings”
I’ve been following yer work for years and I rarely disagree with you and the video is great. However, I drive past 3524 Gravois all the time and, every time I do, I wish someone would rip that abortion of an airplane wing off of the front of that building; it has no business there. I have no problem with any particular architectural style. However, when they are fused together like that, there is something about it that makes me uneasy and bothered every time I see it.
I should add that I love the airplane wing. It would go great as a freestanding structure in a park, or in some other public space. It just doesn’t belong on that building, which is great in its own right.
Michael, how do you do it? Â How do you so effortlessly and effectively articulate emotion, optimism, history and practical knowledge in every subject you discuss? Â Great video– props to you and Thomas. Â Great concept too.
Wonderful! You should make this a weekly (bi-weekly?) feature!!!
MunchyBags:Â I’m not so down on that wing’s current placement, but I respect your thoughts.
Jeff: It only looks effortless. Thanks!
Adam: Intriguing idea… I am trying to make an effort to do more video work here.