Historical March 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
5585 Pershing, the ornate “Pershing Arcade,” will soon become home to one of St. Louis’ better known names Eugene J. Mackey and Associates, architects.
According to Pantheon Corporation, the move to Pershing is confirmed, and construction should begin soon on renovation of some space for offices of the Mackey architectural firm, as well as development of other parts of the so-called “arcade” space.
Once the location of dry cleaners and sundry other shops, the building’s unique decorative features have made it a widely known and photographed part of the redevelopment area.
The revamped Pershing Arcade will become the newest commercial renovation in the area.
But other businesses are due to open even sooner, among them the Nautilus Health Club and ‘Phoenix Properties, both tenants at 5516 Pershing, in the old Continental Cars building.
The Nautilus facility will bring a decidedly new use to this landmark on Pershing. Among the residences recently completed by Pantheon are the condominiums at 5592 Waterman, presently selling at prices between $36,500-$72,500.
The 5500 block of both Pershing and Waterman thus join the 5600 block in significant numbers of rehabbed and reutilized structures. Other changes recently noticed include the Casey Medical Building, at DeBaliviere and Waterman. Developed for Dr. Richard Casey’s practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the offices were designed to renovate the space left in an empty Shell gas station, much as Steve Brammeier’s Kingsbury Animal Hospital on Skinker did a few years ago, both making use of sound structures whose original use was made obsolete by changing times. Down the street from Dr. Casey, an old neighborhood haunt remains, but recently greatly improved.
The International Market, one of St. Louis’ original “quick” markets, has not only renovated its building, adding an awning to the outside, but has also expanded its wares, to include deli selections and sandwiches, as well as imported beer, etc.
The interior sports a new look as well, with plants and a “natural wood” decor.
An interesting added note is the fact that the owners, of Greek ancestry, have in the last two years helped their son to open the Olympia Kabob House on McCausland Avenue, featuring Greek food and drinks in the American style.
Another change noted in recent months in the DeBaliviere area was the holiday touch of Christmas lights on the dome and the exterior of the Dorr and Zeller building, outlining the Central West End Savings and Loan and Pantheon’s own offices and those of Feinberg Real Estate, the lights a touch of glamour reminiscent of Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza lights (and perhaps the beginning of a tradition?). Commercial development has not yet begun on the buildings traditionally referred to as “The DeBaliviere Strip” and, says the Pantheon spokesperson, no specific projects can be confirmed at this time.
But it is clear from the noted indications to the east, south and north that commercial development has indeed begun to take place. Pantheon’s recent projects have gone beyond the boundaries of Waterman/Pershing/ DeBaliviere to many different areas of the city, earning for prime mover Leon Strauss several awards and honors, making clear that, in effect, Skinker-DeBaliviere lives next door to a redevelopment effort of national reputation. Among other honors, Strauss has been the recent recipient of the “1981 Enterprise Award,” given by the St. Louis Business Journal in December. Cited for “outstanding achievement as an entrepreneur for his work in rehabilitation of city neighborhoods,” Strauss as risk-taker received recognition for his work in -many areas of St. Louis: • DeBaliviere Place and surrounding area • Lafayette Town • the Convention Center area’s Columbus Square • new beginnings in the Lammert’s building on Washington Ave. • the stimulating and imaginative purchase and plans for the “Fabulous Fox” theater on Grand Since the announcement of the award, Strauss and Pantheon have performed another task, assisting in the emergency repairs of the Vaughn and Darst-Webbe Housing Projects during the January freeze.
They served as construction managers, to control costs as other contractors performed such work as opening up doors and making bathrooms and kitchens workable, making possible the relocation of approximately 150 families to buildings previously only partially filled.
The immediate concern of the City and Housing Authority was to make most effective use of buildings with heat. Pantheon and others were a part of this emergency effort.
Original photograph caption
Continental Car, 5516 Pershing, becomes home for Nautilus Health Club, continuing the tradition of a classic name, but changing with the times, with emphasis on fitness and health instead of the automobile. Photograph by William Kuhl. The Paper, March 1982, page 1.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1982.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1982_03.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 2; PDF page(s) 1, 2.
