1975: Automobile Club of Missouri Headquarters destroyed by fire

Most of us are familiar with the curvy building on Lindell that is home to offices of the Automobile Club of Missouri. Modern architecture fan Toby Weiss wrote the following about the building:

3917 Lindell – Automobile Club of Missouri
One of two round white buildings on Lindell, it looks like the curvy female answer to the boys-will-be-boys clubhouse across the street. But this building was erected in 1977! As early as 1942 the Automobile Club was listed in this same spot, and they certainly waited a long time to join in the CWE urban renewal.

Maybe the delay was so that they could get exactly the perfect building. It’s a truly iconic piece on Lindell – everyone knows and admires this building, and Triple A takes exceptional care of it. They must stock pile drums of white paint for constant touch ups in between new coats. A view through the endless ribbon of windows reveal many original fixtures still in place, and the whole thing has a distinct 1960s Jetsons feel. Were the original plans drawn up in the 60s and they sat on them for a bit, or did they purposely try to evoke a by-gone era, even though it wasn’t all that by-gone? Again, it feels like a sly wink to the club across the street.  (Belt STL)

1977 was late for modern new construction in this section of town.  The new building was constructed to replace the old headquarters that were destroyed by fire on March 14, 1975.  So that answers the question about why the current building was built in 1977 but it doesn’t help me understand what was destroyed. My first place to look is the Sanborn Fire Insurance map from 1909.

– Steve Patterson

Fourth floor view better than fortieth

As I visit different offices downtown I’m always looking for interesting views. From some of the tallest buildings you get spectacular views across the skyline.  But from the fourth floor you get a view I treasure much more.

The above is the view from the offices of the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis in the Laclede Gas Building.

– Steve Patterson

Researching 2817 Cherokee Street

Recently while driving down Cherokee Street I noticed something I had never noticed before.

I’m usually so distracted by the beautiful glazed terra-cotta on the building on the right above, 2817 Cherokee. But the void between the buildings is what caught my eye.  The short stone wall with the break and steps.  Was there a narrow building between these that was torn down, I wondered?  The answer is yes and no.  The building we see today was constructed in 1936. The date on the building on the left is unknown except it is newer.

From the alley on the side of 2817 Cherokee to the corner at Oregon Ave contained five one-story brick homes (pink) with wood back porches & sheds (yellow) at the 9ft alley in 1909.  What was platted as five parcels of approximate equal width in 1909 is now three parcels of different widths (27.5ft, 25ft , & 75ft).  The above 1909 Sanborn Fire Insurance map is from the University of Missouri Digital Library.

Neighborhoods and streets are not static.  As the streetcar line on Cherokee Street brought more and more people to the street homes gave way to commercial development.

– Steve Patterson

Centene headquarters taking shape

After years of controversy and plenty of lawsuits, the new Centene buildings are going up in Clayton.  Just what Clayton needed, more generic glass towers.  Yawn…

For decades the site at Hanley & Forsyth was occupied by the unique Scruggs Vandervoort Barney/Library Limited building (learn more at Vanishing STL).  While I don’t believe we can or should save every old building, I do think we should have higher expectations for the buildings that replace significant structures.

No, this is not a high-rise prison.  This is their second building under construction, just West of the corner tower. Maybe it will all be great when finished but what I see so far makes me think it will be more of the same — anonymous boxes.

At least the other end of the block has a low, but appealing, scale.

– Steve Patterson

A Visit to the Old Courthouse

In the last two weeks I’ve visited the Old Courthouse downtown.  I had forgotten just how wonderful the building is.

“The majestic Old Courthouse has remained over the past 150 years as one of St. Louis’ most prominent architectural landmarks. Plan your visit to see all the permanent exhibits and special events! The Old Courthouse was the site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. It was also where Virginia Minor’s case for a woman’s right to vote came to trial in the 1870s. You may tour this historic structure, and visit the restored courtrooms to learn more about our 19th century judicial system.”  (National Park Service)

So much history, much of it bad.  Humans were sold on the front steps!  I find that fact so difficult to understand.

We often think of the front as the West side facing Kiener Plaza, but the front actually faces onto 4th Street toward the river.  The wheelchair access is off Broadway (5th) though.  If you have not been before or if it has been many years consider stopping in.

– Steve Patterson