Conscious of History, CORTEX Plans New Construction and Preservation of City’s Memory

Three significant historic buildings will see new life as part of the CORTEX development. The district, aiming to lure innovative life science companies and expand research capacity of its member organizations, covers nearly 240 acres in central St. Louis City. The Cresent building at 4340 Duncan, the Southwestern Bell building at 4250 Duncan, and the Brauer Supply building at 4260 Forest Park Avenue, are all slated to be renovated as part of CORTEX Phase II, which includes new construction, a pedestrian plaza and new MetroLink station as well. While the RFP of last November gave us an idea of what's coming, the latest news shows just how quickly development might move.

CORTEX was created in 2005 and the City of St. Louis, labeling the area "blighted" by ordinance, offered carte blanche for development in the area. This meant no demolition review, no public hearings with the city's Preservation Board. One can understand why. Largely light industrial, the area isn't pretty. However, several buildings stood out. The O. Morse Shoe Company was demolished for the Solae headquarters. The American Bakery Company building at Forest Park Avenue and Vandeventer was recently leveled. The Ford Motor Company building, where Model T's and many other cars were assembled from 1914-1948, has been converted to upscale lofts.