Readers: High Density Development or Save the AAA Building

Nearly thirty-percent of the readers that voted in the poll last week felt the iconic AAA building on Lindell should be protected from demolition for “any and all development that calls for its demolition.” That’s a strong statement about the feelings for this building. I think it’s worth exploring developing only the west half the site and reusing the AAA for an ad agency or hip restaurant.

Sixty-percent think it should only be razed for a high density development. Just over five-percent selected the answer supporting a typical CVS.

Oh I’m sorry, per the CVS presentation before the Preservation Board,  the proposed CVS isn’t their prototype — it would have a tower over the entry and more brick. BFD. It, and a new AAA building, would be “beautiful”, they said.  I’ve yet to see a CVS, Walgreen’s or any other big chain pharmacy that I’d describe as beautiful…except for a few built inside an existing historic building.

On Monday June 25th “The city’s Preservation Board Monday shot down plans to demolish the round, glass-walled structure near the corner of Lindell and Vandeventer and build a new CVS drugstore on the site.” (stltoday)

Here are the poll results:

Q: AAA building on Lindell: Save, Raze or?

1. The AAA building is interesting, it should only be razed for high density mixed-use development 69 [60%]
2. The AAA building is a great asset and should be protected from any and all development that calls for its demolition 34 [29.57%]
3. The AAA building is obsolete and CVS is ready to build – raze it 6 [5.22%]
4. Other: 4 [3.48%]
5. Unsure/No Opinion 2 [1.74%]

The four “other” answers:

1. Reuse don’t destroy! Why can’t CVS use the AAA building?
2. There is no urban strategy, do we really need another chain pharmacy
3. Don’t raze the building to put something worse there.
4. Like everything else, if you can afford to buy it and tear it down, then…!

I don’t subscribe to the idea if you can buy it you can do as you damn well please. I believe in the greater good when consideration is given to a corridor, district, city and region — not just the selfish thoughts of property owners at a given point in time.

Washington University students Rasheda Bowman & Jessica Manning looked at the AAA building for a Historic Preservation and Urban Design course. I’ve seen their full report but I don’t have permission to publish it in full. They did say the following as an alternative use as a restaurant:

The structure of the building is still in very good shape as the building has been well maintained by the AAA company (its only occupant). It is possible to rehabilitate the AAA Building.

A restaurant/lounge would require minimal changes to the buildings distinctive features and require little changes to the buildings character.

Only the addition of exterior glazing and a centralized kitchen and service area would be required. This would further add to the original design intention because it would allow for more exterior views. Thus bringing more of the exterior to the interior. Furthermore additional landscaping elements, such as the addition of trees and lush gardens will further enrich the environment.

Locating the kitchen and services in the center would allow for seating all around.

This has the potential to become a popular hangout for Saint Louis University students. The issue isn’t going away since AAA owns the building but doesn’t appreciate what they have. Vanishing St. Louis has a site plan showing a CVS on the site with the AAA here. I’d like to see a multi-story building on the site with the AAA.

Happy Independence Day!

— Steve Patterson