A small apartment building at the northeast corner of Chouteau and Taylor in Forest Park Southeast is about to see a promise fulfilled. A developer late last month applied for an $870,000 building permit. Above All Development LLC developed the unfortunate Aventura in 2012 and the much improved Hilton Home2 Suites next door in 2014. At that time, they promised mixed use infill at the corner, but observers were skeptical such a small project would ever be built.

Corner buildings play an outsized role in defining urban form. They tie together the street walls of two streetscapes and mark the visual boundary between public and private space. Fears that this corner would remain undeveloped have now been proven unfounded.

The developer is moving forward with plans for a three-story building of approximately 7,000 s.f. The first floor would have 1,300 s.f. of residential space, a residential lobby, and 497 s.f of commercial space. Upstairs will be six one-bedroom apartments. Units will have granite countertops, vinyl plank flooring and stainless steel appliances. The development is expected to cost $1.3 million.

The block once was home to the Laclede Gas Light Company’s Station G gasometer which for decades towered over Highway 40 south of Barnes Hospital. Common in Europe but rare in the United States, the gasometer rose and fell to maintain gas pressure throughout the city. The Station G Pumping House survived and was recently transformed into a new home for Greater Goods.

Past coverage:

Nextstl – Three Story Retail/Office Building Proposed for Chouteau and Taylor in Forest Park Southeast (904-920 S. Taylor)

Nextstl – Mixed Use Infill Proposed for Prominent Vacant Lot In The Grove