The gut rehab project we have been following in Marine Villa is now officially complete. For a refresher on this project at 3500 Illinois, check out these stories before and during construction. The final product really did turn out pretty wonderful. With 4 bedrooms, 3 bath and white-boxed loft are on the third floor (including an extra bath), this 4,932 sq ft monster is a sight to behold. And that that they were able to make it all work at a final sales price of $200,000 is all that much more impressive. Looking forward to seeing Tiger Lily Development and Clover Leaf General Contracting’s next project. Check out this pics of the finished product: Read more

Last December I featured a story about a large former LRA shell at 3500 Illinois getting a thumbs up on a complete green rehab. I finally got a chance to take a look at the progress at the project site, and I am happy to say the Marine Villa property has really come a long way in the last five months. In fact, from what I am told by Tiger Lily Development, the project should be finished by mid-May.

At this point, the geothermal system is in place along with almost all the exterior work and interior work up to the drywall. They were actually installing the hardwood floors while I was there so one would think they will be onto kitchen and bath work by next week. The change is really miraculous considering that the roof was half missing and the place was nearly caving in less than six months ago.

When completed, the building with hold an Energy Star designation for the green systems. It will also receive credentials from a new green program call Builders Challenge, which will actually be a first for the St. Louis area. So not only is this rehab really going to help the aesthetics of the block, its going to do it with minimum impact to the environment.

I took a bunch of pictures of the construction progress. You can see them below. I’ll come back with final pictures when the project is complete in May.

If you have ever rehabbed a house, rented out an apartment, or even simply lived in the City of St. Louis for any period of time, you are well aware of the ridiculous amount of red tape that the City throws up around just about every issue. A lot of it is necessary, but the implementation has always been wanting.

The Post Dispatch featured a very interesting article on this topic in this morning’s paper. It involves a property at 3500 Missouri in Marine Villa that the City took from an owner. If you haven’t checked it out, its worth the five minute read.

St. Louis City takes 3500 Missouri away from owner

Even in the midst of neglect beauty can often be found. Buildings caving on themselves from lack of repair are not what most would consider aesthetically pleasing, but even in these wrecks a trained eye can see things worth noting. For instance, take a look at these pictures. Read more

Gut rehabs of LRA (Land Reutilization Authority) have been few and far between in the past eighteen months, with construction financing has been virtually nonexistent in this economic climate. So you can count me surprised when I got a call from a friend saying that this 4,932 sq ft monster in Marine Villa was going to be turned into a single family home. Read more

While Cherokee Avenue in the Benton Park and Benton Park West neighborhoods as had its share of troubles in the past few years, there is no doubt that the overall outlook has looked continually positive. I’ve posted about Cherokee locations such as The Stable and Foam, but it looks like the whole area is getting a pat of the back. This time from the Riverfront Times in their Annual “Best of” list. Read more

I’m not the right guy to review the quality of a restaurant so I figured I would point you to someone more qualified. Joe Bonwich just reviewed the Stable in the Post Dispatch and you can see it for yourself here. I was happy with my food during my one visit there for dinner, but I really entjoyed the late night atmoshpere, which I sampled twice. The outdoor seating area looks to be about done and business seams to be booming. If only they would get their in house brewing and distiling up and running.

I know I focus a lot on local matters on this site, but I also like to keep up on national and regional real estate investment news as well. Whether I find info via magazines or online, I always think its a good idea. Seeing as most of this news is beyond my ability to verify, I usually take these stories at face value. Maybe I should rethink that policy.

Check out this article from the June issue of Multifamily Executive entitled A New Brew. Its about St. Louis’ own Lemp Brewery in Benton Park. WHile its great to see the property in the national media, the artilceis less than accurate in terms of details. THe article acts as if the redevelopment of the old brewery had already started. I don’t knwo who they have been talking to, but maybe they should verify their sources. Makes you wonder how many other articles out their are balogna.

The South Side Journal is reporting that this project is “a go.” Despite continued doubts from local observers, Garrison Development reps are saying that they are moving ahead. For a more detailed update, check out the full article.

This is one of those properties that has been “on the verge” of being redeveloped for years. It’s one of the few local “icons” that hasn’t been either developed or demolished. A good project centered around this complex would do a lot for the area in southern Benton Park and Marine Villa. But maybe I’m just biased because I live in Benton Park. Nevertheless, its just a matter of time before something finally happens to it. I just hope this isn’t another one of those cases where the momentum builds up only to fizzle away a few months later. From the sound of the recent article in the Post Dispatch it at least seems like this proposal is being treated somewhat seriously. Take a look for yourself: Redevelopment proposal renews hope for Lemp complex