I’m sure by now many people have heard that the State of Missouri is vacating the Wainwright Building in downtown. Let’s not waste time on trashing the State of Missouri or Chesterfield, which will be the recipient of those government workers. I want to stress that from my understanding, forty years ago the State of Missouri saved the building from demolition, and for that we should thank them.
But now we need to turn to business leaders, individuals or anyone with real estate investing acumen to step up and buy what in all seriousness and with no exaggeration one of the top ten most important buildings in architectural history. The renovations and additions are now forty years old; some serious money will need to be spent to bring this building back to competitiveness. I don’t want to see photos in two years of “urban explorers” traipsing its trashed hallways and enjoying sunsets on its roof. But considering this region’s track record, it’s a real possibility. Will we step up?
Time for you to break open your piggy bank.
I wish! There is at least one very wealthy fan of Sullivan in St. Louis I am hoping will step up and buy it.
Consider high end luxury apartments .
That’s been mentioned already! I’m sure there are many people who would love to live there.
Oh, let’s go ahead and trash the State of Missouri. It deserves it. The state cares nothing for its people and certainly nothing about history or architectural treasures. It has become a place that is at the bottom of the list for everything.
I’m sure you are aware of this, but I am just posting this as a sort of PSA: the auction has ended for the Wainwright Building, with the winning bid of $8.4 million being placed by Arch to Park Equity LLC, a fund coordinated by Greater St. Louis, Inc. Greater St. Louis has said that they plan to redevelop the building, although their exact plans are still unknown at this time. The Post-Dispatch, Fox 2, and other outlets are covering this story.