Advantes Development is amidst a $12 million renovation of the former Metro Transit headquarters. The first display units are slated to be complete by July 3rd concurrent with Fair St. Louis, which returns to the riverfront this year following a $380 million renovation of the Arch grounds.
Built in 1899 for $50,000 by architect A.M. Beinke, the building was home to the Christian Peper Tobacco Company. Founded in 1873, the company originally occupied the building immediately to the north at 719-727 N 1st Street, which was constructed in that same year. The red-bricked 701-715 neighbor is actually comprised of two buildings; a subtle change in the style of windows 9 bays north of Lucas Avenue indicates the separation. The wide-planked floors in this 6-story warehouse were slanted to allow tobacco workers to roll barrels toward the levee.
701-715 N 1st Street served as the headquarters of St. Louis Metro Transit from 1982 until they announced their departure to 211 N Broadway in 2015. Peper Lofts, LLC acquired the 106,000 square foot building for $1.8 million in August 2017, and the first building permit was issued shortly thereafter in October 2017. The property is being rehabbed by Advantes Development, who recently completed the renovation of the Lafayette School in Soulard. The architect is M2 Architecture Studio.
This project will be the first multi-family residential development in the area. Floors three through six will be dedicated to residential space, with 49 apartments planned. Sizes will range from 650 to 1,100 square feet, with 23 2-bedroom / 1-bath units and 26 1-bedroom / 1-bath units. There will be 13 different floor plans, and rents are planned to range from $900-1,450/month. A rooftop sundeck is also planned. The first level will provide street-facing commercial space, and Abstrakt Marketing will be expanding from their adjacent space at 727 N 1st Street to occupy the entire second floor of the Peper building.
John Clark, president of the Laclede’s Landing Community Improvement District, said:
“The Landing has long been known as a great place to dine and play, and over the years it has become home to a diverse mix of businesses, but this latest addition is adding a whole new dimension to St. Louis’ only riverfront entertainment/dining destination. Now, for the first time ever, The Landing will be a place to live, work and play, offering a truly unique lifestyle experience.”
