Two Lux Living proposals are back before the Preservation Board at its December 5th meeting at 4pm.
Update – The Preservation Board granted preliminary approval to the Engineers’ Club proposal and upheld the denial for demolition for the 1000 S Kingshighway proposal.
First a revamped Engineers’ Club proposal. The seven story, 168-unit apartment building would be at 4359 Lindell between Newstead and Boyle in the Central West End. According to the Preservation Board agenda, they no longer will demolish parts of the original building. Last December the Preservation Board withheld preliminary approval due to demo of a large portion of the original building. While Ald. Todd supported the proposal, the Central West End Planning and Development Committee did not. For the current proposal the committee, after a protracted discussion with Lux over the last year, is supportive with several conditions which will be presented at the Preservation Board meeting.
NextSTL – 2021 – Engineers’ Club on Lindell redevelopment goes before the Preservation Board
Cultural Resources staff recommend –
That the Preservation Board grant Preliminary Approval of the proposed new construction to surround the High Merit Engineers’ Club, which is a contributing resource to the Central West End Historic District, and a significant element of the architectural character of the City of St. Louis, with the stipulation that final plans and exterior materials be approved by the Cultural Resources Office, and approved by other relevant city departments.
The site plan no longer has curb cuts on Lindell, with access to the structured parking within the building from the alley, a plus for walkability and reducing car crashes on Lindell. It appears the pool will be indoors.
Rendering from 2021 –
Site plan from 2021
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Second is the proposal for the 1000 block of south Kingshighway north of Oakland in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The proposal was denied preliminary approval last year. Neither the neighborhood organization, FPSE NA, nor Ald Pihl supported the proposal. FPSE NA continues its lack of support.
NextSTL – Revised Lux Living Proposal for Oakland and Kingshighway
NextSTL – Lux Living Proposal for Oakland and Kingshighway
CRO staff recommends –
That the Preservation Board uphold the Director’s Denial for the demolition of the seven buildings and withhold Preliminary Approval for the construction of a 7-story apartment building.
Notes on the proposal in deference to the Preservation Review District ordinance as to whether it “will be architecturally compatible with the existing block face as to building setbacks, scale, articulation and rhythm, overall architectural character and general use of exterior materials or colors;” point out “The 7-story, block-long building would unavoidably dwarf the surrounding residential neighborhood to the east.” Of course not far away on Kingshighway and Manchester are buildings of similar and greater height. Also the neighborhood has expressed its openness to this height via the FPSE form based code, but that’s a zoning, not preservation review of a demolition.
Controversy abounds concerning Lux Living and City Wide around town which hangs over any of their proposals. Attend the Preservation Board meeting to add your two cents or write to CRO staff.
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Also on the agenda are two hotels proposed for the Well Fargo campus at Jefferson and Market in the Midtown neighborhood. These would replace existing buildings thus why it is going before the Preservation Board. developers Midas Enterprises and Green Street Real Estate Ventures are partnering on the $120M development.
St. Louis Business Journal – Hotels planned at corner of Market and Jefferson downtown
CRO staff recommend –
That the Preservation Board grant Preliminary Approval for the demolition of 2601 Market Street and the construction of two new 7-story hotels, as the proposal meets the criteria for demolition under the Preservation Review District ordinance.
