Adler Lofts Will Close Part of Street Grid

Just a few short years ago this area on the West edge of downtown St. Louis saw little construction activity. When Pyramid began lofts in the Sporting News Building at 2020 Washington some thought they were crazy. But in the year or so the Sporting News has been completed we are seeing lots of activity in the immediate area, including the Adler Frame Building across the street and the Majestic Stove complex to the North of that.

At right is the Washington Avenue face of the Adler Lofts. While I think their floor plans are quite creative and prices reasonable, their site plan sucks.

The one story section in the foreground should be some sort of retail space such as a market, deli, coffee house or other space serving local residents. Instead, it will be covered parking. What is the likelihood that once the area is booming that residents will give up these spaces so a needed retail space can move in? Highly unlikely. We will forever be stuck with a huge section of dead sidewalk for indoor parking.

This view is the SW corner of the building at Washington & 21st. Street (map). Well, I should say the former 21st Street.

The site plan for the Adler Lofts indicates the street will be vacated and combined with a small parcel to the West of the building (shown to the left in the picture). Big deal right? Just one short block? Well, yes and no.

The distance from Washington Avenue to Lucas Avenue to the North is very short. And it is true this street has not seen much traffic in recent years. But, once 21st is missing the length of this block will be substantial as the distance from 20th to 22nd is quite long on foot.

In the coming five years this area will be rebuilt with all existing buildings becoming lofts with lots of street-level retail and restaurants. However, if start chipping away at the street grid we will compromise future walkability in this area. We must look ahead and not be so short sided.

At right is the view looking South on 21st street from Delmar. If I rented one of the new lofts in the Majestic (at left in picture) and wanted to walk to the Tap Room at Locust & 21st I’d have to either go over to 20th or to 22nd to do so. It just doesn’t seem right to be starting off an area with such clear compromises. Would it be so bad if residents had to cross 21st street to get to their secured parking? My friend in Seattle has secured parking across the street from his condo and it seems like no big deal. In fact, having his car across the street we will often just keep walking rather than rely on his car to get around.

If you go back to the site plan and look closer you’ll see that not only is 21st Street closed but the folks to the North get to look at fenced in services. When we do close streets we need to make sure we do it with some style and class. Terminating 21st street into a service gate is not a good idea.

As upset as I am about the closing of 21st Street I am even more concerned about Lucas Avenue. Looking closely at the Adler site plan it looks like the interestingly narrow Lucas Avenue will be closed from 20th to 21st as part of the Majestic Lofts project. This is as bad as closing 21st unless the general public can continue to cross this area by foot & bike. I’ve had no luck securing any documentation on the site plan for the Majestic Lofts. Anyone know what is going on with Lucas?

Our street grid is just as important as the buildings. They work together. Destroying the street grid is damaging the area’s potential. Sure, it will still be interesting and exciting just not as functional as it could or should be.

– Steve