The Loop still has some great architecture, and the street is still busy with the construction of the trolley moving further east. Narrowing the street to encourage pedestrian traffic is a winning formula, even as it is still considered to be counter-intuitive. Thinking that more lanes will solve traffic problems is the false belief. There…
Tag: University City
Shaare Emeth, Temple of the Gates of Truth
After writing my recent St. Louis Magazine article about Centenary United Methodist Church, one of the oldest continually operating congregations in downtown St. Louis, and in the city in general, I became interested in the synagogue that backed right up to the church. It was dramatically named Temple of the Gates of Truth, and I…
City Hall, University City
Update: I photographed City Hall in January of 2020 again (second and third photos). Who isn’t captivated by the ornate beauty of University City‘s city hall? Originally built as a women’s magazine office building, it was part of a planned ensemble of unique buildings at the entrance of University Heights. It also served as the…
University Heights Gates, University City
Update: I went back in January of 2020 to photograph the area on the inside and outside of the gates. Also, the two statues are a lion and a tiger. See University Heights No. 1, which is on the right just past the gates. I finally figured out why the lions, which also happen to…
Parkview
Update: I went back and visited again in 2018 and in January of 2024. Straddling the border between St. Louis and University City on Skinker, Parkview was another private subdivision laid out by Julius Pitzmann. What was once farmland now is heavily forested, with houses peeking out from behind the stately trees.
Alley Behind Parkview
I find alleys fascinating, because they’re where the city lets its guard down.
Garage, University City
Update: See the house this garage belongs to in Parkview. I’ve seen this garage a million times, just south of Delmar in University City, and I’ve always been impressed with the beauty of the green terracotta tiles. And coupled with the roof of the main house, it creates a wonderful ensemble of green in a…
Streamline Modern Butchery
I always loved the sleek, Streamline Modern design of the overhang of Saleem’s on Delmar in the University City Loop. Apparently not everybody appreciated it, as it has recently been reworked in a horrible, architecturally inaccurate manner.
The Loop
Update: I went back to photograph in May of 2016. The awning of Saleem’s (last picture) was heavily altered when the restaurant was rebranded as Ranoush. See the results in this post from August of 2009.
Delmar Loop Wins Award
Update: The original link is dead. The Loop in University City (yes, and partly in St. Louis) recently won a spot on the 10 best streets in America list from the American Planning Association.