Jassen Johnson of Renaissance Development Associates is redeveloping 429 N. Euclid in the Central West End as mixed use residential and gallery space. Plans by Central Design Office Architects for the property include first floor gallery and studio space for artist Alexandra Fisher, a native of Argentina now based in St. Louis. Alex trained at the Escuela Panamericana de Arte in Buenos Aires and will work and exhibit in the space. Also on the first floor will be the building’s residential lobby.
The second level and basement will contain a high-end residential component. The residential unit’s living areas will open onto a back courtyard with rooftop swimming pool atop the one story section at the rear of the building. The design adds a third floor penthouse level partially sunken into the building’s roof.
With three levels of decks and an outdoor dining area, the roof will afford views across the heart of the Central West End. The basement will house additional bedroom suites, storage and a wine cellar. Elevator service will connect the residential areas.
The property most recently housed Frontenac Cleaners. A non-historic permastone facade has been removed from the building’s first floor facade. The developer has applied for a $1.5 million building permit. Unlimited Builders is the contractor.
One challenge the developer faced is the issue of parking. The project is completely landlocked with no alley access. The solution, Johnson explains, was to recreate the historic four bay storefront, with one of the storefront bays retrofitted to allow it to lift for garage access. The city’s Cultural Resources Office is recommending approval of the plan, including a curb cut to allow garage access. Because the property is located in the Central West End Historic District, the design requires approval by the city’s Preservation Board.