Built as the St. Louisian Hotel [yes, it had that Frenchy extra 'i'] and notorious as the Days Inn, the Washington Avenue Apartments have rectified a prominent eyesore from downtown St. Louis. Klitzing Welsh Associates did an outstanding job of beautifying what seemed a hopeless case on a modest budget. As Plan Examiner for this project, I remained skeptical of their efforts until I saw the finished product. I especially like the checkerboard effect they achieved with windows, louvers, and spandrel glass. The design actually takes the modernist image back a few decades to a time when it was an aesthetic statement rather than a cheap way to build. E. M. Harris was the contractor.
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The ground floor retail space has been leased to a Bridge & Tunnel Pizza franchise, which is now open, and Downtown Diner, which will be operated by the owners of Copia Wine bar. The diner is under construction now; Copia is apparently mired in insurance claims from its arson fire last year.
My photo taken September 6, 2008[with way too much foreground]
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