Can St. Louis Keep Its Unique Heritage from Crumbling?

As the back-to-the-city movement takes hold, cities are turning old industrial buildings into distinctive spaces prized as offices and lofts. St. Louis is trying to figure out how to preserve their legacy assets from crumbling as they await new life.

July 12, 2013, 10am PDT | Jonathan Nettler | @nettsj

"The 20 red brick warehouses west of Busch Stadium were once called 'the greatest institution of its kind in the world.' At the dawn of the 20th century, the Cupples Station complex teemed with busy freight lines, factories and warehouses," writes Nicholas J.C. Pistor. "Today, after years of changing economics, bad development plans and damage from Mother Nature, nine buildings remain of the complex."

"Soon, it will be eight."

In the aftermath of this week's demolition of the century-old Cupples 7 warehouse, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay "will hold an 'all hands on deck' meeting on Thursday seeking ideas and possible legislation to keep a similar scenario from happening again. That could include anything from stiffer fines on developers to creating a large fund to help the city save buildings before it’s too late."

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Cupples complex shrinks as St. Louis struggles to keep historic buildings standing

Published on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 in St. Louis Post-Dispatch