There is a slight chance that the redevelopment of the Crunden Martin buildings might actually happen this time, and I’m cautiously optimistic due to the involvement of some people I know in the project.

Looking at the building damaged by fire over a decade ago, it looks like there has been the loss of much of the charred timbers in the upper floors, but I’m not really worried about that since those would have been removed anyway. Remember, these buildings were often designed for the floors to fall out, leaving the exterior walls safe.

There are seven buildings in the complex in Chouteau’s Landing, and there is actually a very interesting story to the company that began in 1876 and last until 1990(!). The six reddish brick buildings were designed by the Muaran, Russell and Garden around the turn of the Twentieth Century; the firm began in the footprint of the Gateway Arch.

The massive bridge is perhaps the most famous element of the complex.

The building to the east is in good shape, and thankfully the fire did not spread across the bridge back in 2011. The strong vertical lines show how the more conservative firm of Mauran, Russell and Garden seems to have been reacting to the new conventions of Adler and Sullivan almost.

It is a huge building!

Back around on the north side of the complex is the odd man out, the concrete sheathed form designed George P. Barnett.

This one does not hold a patina as well as the brick buildings, and will need quite a bit of renovation to get it looking new again.