December 9, 2001
House of the Month
WireWorks, 1415 S. 18th St.

By Jo Ann Vatcha
Community Development Administration

When the first brick was laid in Lafayette Square in 1832, who could imagine that nearly two hundred years later, those houses, and even factories, would be highly desirable homes. The neighborhood's historic character has taken on an extra dimension with a total renovation of the former Western Wire Manufacturing buildings, located at 1435 S. 18th St. Open from 12-4 today, this Victorian factory is being transformed into 80 loft-style apartments. "This project is extremely gratifying," said Marshall Burton, Jr., principal of Parkside Development Corporation, co-developer. "We look forward to becoming an integral part of the historic Lafayette Square community."

The WireWorks loft apartments range from 800 to almost 1,700 square feet, renting from $ 900 to $ 1,450. Features include ceilings up to 18 feet high, large factory windows, exposed brick, and heavy timber columns. The Mezzanine-style apartment, shown here, has a warm and spacious bedroom suite overlooking exceptionally well-designed living space. Amenities include washer/dryer, dishwasher/disposal and high speed internet access and cable. Actual historic factory equipment has been incorporated into the design of many units, and beautiful bathrooms and kitchens add to their distinctive charm. In addition, several handicap-accessible units will be ready to view in the near future. Courtyard-style walkways link the buildings, with private entries for first-floor units, and there is gated off-street parking for all tenants.

Soon, private balconies will overlook a courtyard created from the exterior walls of one building which was lost to a nearly devastating fire a year ago. Instead, Bank of America and The Private Bank provided construction financing, while Red Capital Mortgage provided permanent FNMA financing. St. Louis Equity Fund and AmerenUE invested in the Federal and State Historic Tax Credits. The City's Community Development Administration worked with Alderman Lewis Reed to provide funding for site improvements and the parking lot, through St. Louis Development Corporation's Neighborhood Commercial District Incentive Program. "Without the significant cooperation of our many partners, the fire would likely have resulted in demolition," said Ken Nuernberger, of The Siedlund Company, co-developer. Johannes-Cohen Collaborative served as architect, and E.M. Harris Construction is contractor for the project.

Lafayette Square is one of the City's premier neighborhoods, with restored homes surrounding its treasured park, with magnificent trees, pond, and wrought iron fence. Among the characteristic home designs is the French Second Empire Townhouse, with distinctive mansard roofs, the architectural rage of the 1870's. In the 1970's, after decades of natural disasters and decline, fear led to an avoidance of city neighborhoods like Lafayette Square. The neighborhood association began house tours to draw attention to what they called "Painted Ladies", their beautiful restored Victorian homes. After being listed on the National Register, a restoration boom ensued, and 90% of the original homes have been renovated.

The association's 27th Annual Holiday Parlor Tour, starts today (Sunday, December 9, 2001) at Park House, 2023 Lafayette. Tour tickets are $ 12 and include visits to a bed-and-breakfast and a "little castle". Free carriage rides will show off neighborhood decorations, and unique restaurants and shops, including the new SqWires Restaurant, Bar and Market, located in the WireWorks complex and open today for brunch, 11-2:30 and for dinner after 3:00 p.m.

To reach Lafayette Square take the Jefferson Exit, south from Highway 40 or north from Highway 44, turning east on Park Avenue to 18th St., then south to WireWorks at 1435 S.18th . For leasing information, contact Becky Musil at 776-6000. For information about development in the City of St. Louis, call 622-3400, or check out our website.