Does anyone know anything about the small, simple, multi-story residential building across the park from the Union Pacific Building? I have always called it the "Rear Window Building" because it reminds me of the building in Hitchcocks movie "Rear Window". It is red brick with what I call picture windows and looks like it was built in the early 1950s. I have always fantasized about the parks around the War Memorial and up to the library as becoming residential. I would love to see the squares tightened up with more buildings. Especially residential buildings. I would call it Library Square or something like that. Anyway, one hardly notices the parks as they are because there is too much open space around them. Picture the squares surrounded tightly by handsome residential buildings.

The building you're referring to is called Ford on the Park, or at least it was called that a few years ago. It's kind of run down and features studio/efficiency apartments. I thought I remember that Pete Rothschild or some other developer had plans to renovate it.

Expat,



That's a good idea. My friend lives in the Knickerbocker building, and we refer to the park behind it (next to the library) as Crackhead Park. It's not the most constructive of parks.

^Hopefully as more residential opens up around these parks, you will see people walking dogs, reading the paper, meeting friends, etc. and not be seen as Crackhead Park! Maybe they could open restaurants around the parks with outdoor seating to encourage a nice mix of people using the parks - or something! Parks surrounded by surface parkings lots and office buildings that close at night are not inviting places. We need to change that. These parks could be an incredible asset.

The Post's new Linda Tucci is sharing details about the West End baron's new project downtown-- affordable condos near the Central Library.



By Martin Van Der Werf

Of the Post-Dispatch

06/28/2005



ON THE CHEAP: The Ford Apartments at 14th and Pine downtown - the building above Kellie O'Toole's bar and Pepino's Pizza - will be converted to condominiums.



Developer Pete Rothschild, who owns the building, says most of the 113 units are studios and efficiencies. He plans new kitchens and baths, and will sell the condos for prices ranging from the $60,000s to the $80,000s.



"This is a whole new, affordable housing market for downtown," Rothschild said.



He says the future of the two street-level businesses is "uncertain."



Rothschild plans to start construction this fall, with completion about eight months later. He is pairing with developer Peter Perkins on the $8 million overhaul.



The 14-story building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed in 1948 by noted architect Preston J. Bradshaw, who also designed the Chase Park Plaza and the Coronado building.



When it was built, it was considered a "slum clearance" development and was the first "substantial residential" building constructed downtown in the 20th century, according to the Landmarks Association of St. Louis.

Yes, I would love to see those blocks around the square in front of the library packed with residential. I have had this vision for a long time. The Ford and The Union Pacific are a good start. I really want to see a densely packed residential square on the edge of downtown. I have always liked the Ford and am excited about this. And with the low prices, a good place for young people getting started.

Those units will be a great option for a lot of people. I don't think that the Ford has any parking, so maybe it will appeal to people who want to go car-less.

DeBaliviere wrote:Those units will be a great option for a lot of people. I don't think that the Ford has any parking, so maybe it will appeal to people who want to go car-less.

People that live in the Ford won't need cars as long as they work or go to school somewhere between downtown and Clayton. They will be a short walk to Metrolink and all of downtown. It is ideal for a carless lifestyle, especially since new retail is popping up in the area. I wish people understood the freedom in NOT having a car.

Expat wrote: I wish people understood the freedom in NOT having a car.

amen. been living in boston and dc for the last 6 years carless. love love LOVE it. need a car. rent a car. will be interesting to see how ill be able to manage upon moving in next spring. ill give it a shot, but dont see it lasting long with family and friends in the burbs.

gabrielg54 wrote:amen. been living in boston and dc for the last 6 years carless. love love LOVE it. need a car. rent a car. will be interesting to see how ill be able to manage upon moving in next spring. ill give it a shot, but dont see it lasting long with family and friends in the burbs.

It will be great when they get the Metrolink lines expanded. Mom won't mind picking you up at the station if it is nearby - AND once people get used to the idea. I like your point about renting cars. When saving hundreds of dollars monthly on car payments and insurance by being carless, you can afford to rent a car for the day quite often. Maybe someday Metro will offer Zip Cars like they have in DC. At the end of DC Metro Lines, you can rent a car by the hour without any hassle right at the station. That way, you can visit your parents, take a drive in the country, or visit some big box stores. But, I know this stuff won't happen overnight, but I lived in St. Louis without a car for many years. It can be done and it is easier now then when I lived there.

its just that until parking is at a premium downtown (minimun 5-7 years away, imo) - then people will always be driving. its a mindset. once garages start charging 200 a month, and people have to get on waiting lists, and spots dont come with condos, then hopefully that will drive public transportation to up the ante and expand service.



As usual its a constant struggle with the city and county being separate entities. For years ive longed for the two to get in bed together. That STL would go from the top % in "crime" to one of the lowest alone should be enough. That could go a long way in giving a better impression to outsiders...

I agree, it is a slow process. You can't talk people into giving up cars. It has to make sense for them. As STL gets more centralized, it will happen - at least to some degree. Actually, cheap downtown parking is very appealing. In my office building people pay $15.00 per day/$225 monthly to park. I dont' know what it cost these days in downtown St. Louis at a typical garage. And it cost around $12.00 roundtrip & more to take Metro downtown from the surburbs if you count $5.00 parking at the suburban station. But even if you dont' park at a suburban Metro lot, it cost around $7.00 per day roundtrip and they don't offer a sweet deal - like $50.00 for a monthly bus/rail pass. St. Louis is a bargain no matter how you look at it. Does anybody know the cost of the average downtown garage for daily parking/monthly parking? Sorry, this has turned into a transportation thread and should be elsewhere. I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE ARE AS EXCITED AS I AM ABOUT THE FORD CONVERTING TO CONDOS! It is a great thing for downtown and a sign of the diverse market building downtown.

The biggest problem with going carless in St. Louis is the lack of major corporations located on transit lines. Too many businesses are situated along highways in the fringes of the area and not the central corridor. Suburban sprawl strikes again!

Right, the jobs have to be metro accessible. But, I believe that as the city becomes more centralized and Metrolink expands, that employers will begin to see the benefit of locating on transit lines. They will locate where they can get access to the best workforce. Chicken/Egg. Of course it won't happen overnight. But the old model is proven not to work all over the country. Sprawl and traffic are ruining a lot of cities that were considered state of the art just a decade ago. St. Louis is ahead of a lot of cities because it was originally built to be transit oriented and can easily be retrofitted. A lot of other newer cities are beginning to wake up realize what a mess they have made.

Interesting you mentioned ZIPcars in an earlier post. In my entrepreneurial finance course last semester, we did a case study on them as a startup in Boston and the east coast. Interesting concepts, they basically rented spots randomly around the city in parking lots where customers could just pick up a car located conveniently to them and use it. A lock box for a key would be on the car or something. If they were to expand, I would see them as the perfect supplement to an expanded Metrolink system. To add to the fact that most corps. are not located along the cental corridor, a company such as ZIPcar could offer ZIPtaxis to and from various corporate parks from the new Metro stops out in Clayton and Richmond Heights.

i was a zip car customer in Boston. They send you a card which when you put it up to the door, it opens the door. The key is already in the ignition. Its great for trips to the grocery store or anything for less than a few hours. But daily rates are expensive and you are better off just renting a normal car. anyways it was great.

I have never used one - though I see them all the time at suburban subway stations. Of course, they are not designed for daily use. Just for errands, etc.

Does anyone happen to have a photo of the Ford Apartment building? I *think* I know what building it is, but I'm not positive. A Google search turned up empty.



Thanks in advance!

I have always liked The Ford. The building is simple & unpretentious. BUT I LIKE WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE TIME AND PLACE IT WAS BUILT. It has always said "big city" to me. This is a building you will only find in urban areas. You won't find it in the surburbs, even built-up surburban downtowns. It was built for an extremely dense city that relied on public transportation. It sits right on the street with businesses on the first floor. It doesn't have a fancy circle drive or landscaped entrance, or parking structure like many high rise apartment buildings. For example, one of the Plaza Square buildings next door could be transplanted to a more suburban location and not look entirely out of place. The Ford requires an urban setting. Another thing, I have always called The Ford "The Rear Window Building", because the picture windows & red brick remind me of the building that stars in Hitchcock's movie, "Rear Window". All fans of dense, urban living should see this movie (I assume most of you have). It is a story that could only happen in a dense, urban setting. Also, it is one of the few buildings in St. Louis built right on a small square. With the Union Pacific converting to condos, & with some creative in-fill, this square has the potential to be much more than it is. I hope The Ford takes advantage of its "on the square" location and opens businesses that look out to the square. Open up those windows! Bagel shop? Coffee Shop? I would love to buy a bagel, coffee, and read the Sunday paper in the square. Real estate is location, location, location. With the low prices offered, these condos are an incredible opportunity for a young person to get started & live downtown.

I like the Rear Window reference!

Expat-- you have a great way of expressing exactly what is on my mind!

JivecitySTL wrote:Expat-- you have a great way of expressing exactly what is on my mind!

Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. Usually, I worry that I am too wordy or get carried away. I feel strongly about this building and hope that other people see its value.