Update 6/10/2021: Project now pending start. A building permit for minor interior and exterior alterations has been issued and a dumpster is now on the back parking lot.
BallastCRE, led and founded by Brian Pratt, is set to redevelop the 5-story, 1500-04 South Grand building.
The building, which was built around 1920 as office space and was most recently the "Hopewell Medical Clinic", sits at the Western entrance to the Gate District neighborhood on the Southeast corner of the Grand and Park intersection. Plans call for the building to be redeveloped into 28 market-rate apartments, first-floor commercial space with parking out back. The total cost of redevelopment is estimated at around $7.7 Million.
Plans currently call for a small penthouse addition to be added, which will bring a small one-bedroom apartment and rooftop deck with views across the City's Central Corridor. On the ground floor, an apartment or two will be built alongside two commercial spaces. One retail space will sit at the corner and feature 954sf of space. The other will sit at the building's previous main entrance at 1504 South Grand and include 1,190sf of space. One apartment could potentially go away if a tenant would like to occupy a larger amount of space in the 1504 retail space. The basement will include two apartments, a fitness center, dog wash, and bike storage. Those two apartments will feature their own private outdoor spaces. The apartments in the building will range from small one-bedroom units to two-bedroom units and range in square footage from 387sf to 839sf. Plans also call for the unsightly exterior emergency staircase along Park Avenue to be removed.
The parking lot out back will be fenced, repaved, and include 32 parking spaces for a parking ratio of 1.14 spaces per unit. One feature being looked at is a solar array on the roof, but it actually happening will be determined by the overall project cost and cost-return of the system.
1500 South Grand, due to numerous alterations over the years, failed to be granted historic status, which would've qualified the building for Historic Tax Credits. Instead, BallastCRE has sought a tax abatement through the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation, which oversees redevelopment in this part of town and is boosted by St. Louis University and SSM Health. Despite all of this, the building still retains its historic charm including street-level glazed brick, terra cotta, and intricate cornice. Beneath cheap siding, large store front windows are hiding and when revealed will dramatically change the street level for the better.
BallastCRE hopes to begin construction on the project in April or May and wrap up by the end of the year. Interior demolition could begin before then. Trivers is serving as the architect on the project. Blackline Design and Construction is serving as the general contractor. Trivers describes the project...
With only days left on the clock, the fate of this building went from being razed to redevelopment because of the awareness and connections of Trivers, SLU Midtown Corporation and local development leaders committed to maintaining the historic integrity of St. Louis’ built environment.
Trivers was hired to convert this vacant 1912 office building along Grand Ave and Park Avenue into 28 boutique style apartments serving the SLU Medical campus. Originally billed as “the coolest, brightest, best ventilated” office buildings by developer and constructor Nicholas Pelligreen because of its location at the intersection of streetcar lines. With this project, Trivers also continues a legacy of working in buildings originally designed by AB Groves, also the architect for The Georgian Apartments and Allen Market Lane. The size, scale, and location of this building were prime for intimate, boutique apartments to fit 21st century residential living. Conceived as an alternative to larger apartment projects for SLU and Cardinal Glennon staff and students, a “calm” finish palette with soothing greens, wood tones, and modern take on historic design allow these apartments to be a respite from the hectic and stressful nature of a healthcare environment.
Complimenting the respite of each apartment home, new rooftop patio with 360 degree views provides a way for residents to gain fresh air and some quiet solitude above the busy city streets below.
Prior to BallastCRE acquiring the building in Late 2020, Clayton-based KDG acquired the building from SSM Health for $1.1 Million. The intentions of KDG were never announced.
Nearby, the Gate District West, which 1500 South Grand falls within, is seeing an uptick in development boosted by the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation. Numerous single-family homes and a few condo buildings on Park Avenue are all planned. An affordable single-family home component, developed by Habitat for Humanity, is also rising in the near vicinity. With the redevelopment of 1500 South Grand, the neighborhood continues its progress towards being made stronger through strategic investments.
Additional elevations and floor plans are featured in the gallery below.
Below is a picture of the building back in the 1960s.
Comentários