Historical September–October 2005 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In 1987, the city of St. Louis provided funding that made it possible for our nascent housing corporation to acquire the 10 buildings of the Rosedale Square apartments. Under management supervised by the Housing Corporation, the status of the apartments improved over time and structural repairs took place.
However, the Housing Corporation felt that it did not have the wherewithal to continue ownership and maintenance of the apartments.
In keeping with what it saw as its mission, increase of home ownership, it let an RFP, advertising for developers to turn the 10 buildings into condominiums. Several developers bid on the project.
The Housing Corporation selected Saaman Corporation to be the developer.
A contract has recently been signed after a number of months of negotiation. Mark Rubin of Saaman Corporation indicated that the proposed condominiums would range from 800 to 1580 square feet.
The starting price for the smaller units is expected to be $130,000.
The largest would probably sell for $209,000. Rubin said their demographic profile of buyer is that of a younger professional with perhaps some middleaged tenants.
The smaller unit would be a 1 bedroom with a small study.
The other units would be 2 bedrooms.
There would be hardwood floors, washer/dryer connections, tile in the bathroom, stone tops in the kitchen, new decks, and secured parking. Saaman hopes to have a display open this winter. BSI will be the general contractor. Half the units will be done at one time but on both sides of the street.
The display is likely to be open fulltime. Rubin said he had just become aware of an issue of concern to a number of Skinker De Baliviere residents.
When Rosedale Square apartments were conveyed to the Housing Corporation, Rosedale was vacated between Washington and Delmar.
It is no longer a public thoroughfare. Not only the streets but the sidewalks were vacated as well. Since 1987, there has been unhampered pedestrian traffic on Rosedale. Would a new owner continue in that fashion?
The contract between the Housing Corporation and Saaman calls for the sidewalks to remain open to the public.
This could only be changed by a 75% vote of condominium owners.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2005.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source says 10 buildings and funding 1987; Gary Boehnke page 7 says 12 buildings and ownership 1989. Separate source accounts preserved, not reconciled by guessing.
Original source: SD_Times2005_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
