Historical September–October 2013 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Attention, all new residents: Welcome to the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, where all things work together for good. Sometimes even despite our expectations. Case in point: 6101 Waterman Avenue.
This nine-unit, multifamily building on the corner of Waterman and Rosedale was sold earlier this year to Waterman, LLC (“limited liability company”), of Philadelphia, Penn. Not aware of the sale, neighbors were surprised when workers suddenly showed up and started gutting the place.
But hey, these things happen; change is inevitable.
The building undoubtedly needed renovation.
This was a good thing. Attitudes changed quickly, however, when rumors got around that the building, caddy corner from St. Roch Church, was being converted into a fraternity house. Even worse, it would be housing a fraternity that was kicked off of Washington University’s campus because of…well, fraternities don’t typically get thrown off a university campus for doing something good. Word on the street was that the buyer was some guy in PA who had some connection to the ousted frat or one of its members.
There was talk about the demise of the neighborhood by an absentee landlord who had no problem setting up an “Animal House” (recall the 1978 National Lampoon movie starring John Belushi) across the street from a Catholic church and elementary school.
The thing about rumors, of course, is that they’re just rumors— unfounded speculations based on limited or distorted facts, albeit with some kernels of truth buried deep within.
The Missouri Beta Chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity located on WUSTL’s Danforth Campus recently lost its way… and its charter with the national fraternal organization.
It was officially disbanded and removed from the WUSTL campus in November of 2012.
According to Cheryl Adelstein, WUSTL Director of Community Relations and Local Government Affairs, this action was the result of the chapter’s “consistent inability to align its activities” with the codes of conduct of both the university and the national organization. “It wasn’t just one bad thing,” said Ms. Adelstein, “but an ongoing series of poor choices.” Because of these poor choices, the disbanded band of brothers would soon have to go their separate ways. And likely would have, were it not for Waterman, LLC. Waterman, LLC, as it turns out, is a company put in place by WUSTL alumnus Chad Remis, in partnership with The Harlan Company, a construction management company here in St. Louis. (This is the company that has been renovating the property.) In addition to being a Wash U grad, Mr. Remis earned his MBA this past May at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business (hence the Philadelphia address for the LLC).
There he received the “The Benjamin Franklin Kahn/WRIT Real Estate Award” and had served as an officer of the Wharton MBA Real Estate Club.
An accomplished young man, by any measure, and clearly into real estate. Also, he belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon while a student at WUSTL. Improvements to the building have been extensive.
A tour guided by Scott Smith, project manager for The Harlan Company, revealed historically restored woodwork, door hardware and newly finished hardwood floors throughout.
Each unit has a brand new bath, kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and its own central air and hot water system.
The entire electrical system has been replaced, with two new telephone poles and a transformer installed by Ameren to accommodate the upgrade. Leaded glass windows have been restored, clay tile roofing replaced, extensive landscaping—the list goes on. It’s been reduced from nine units to seven with no common area.
There should be little doubt that the renovation of the building is a good thing for the neighborhood, and it’s no frat house by any stretch of the imagination.
When neighborhood residents questioned, calls were made. Good people complained. Good people listened, including Mr. Remis.
According to WUSTL’s Adelstein, after learning of residents’ fears, Ms. Adelstein, Alderwoman Lyda Krewson, Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council Executive Director, David Whiteman, along with representatives of WUSTL’s Neighborhood Initiative team, met with Mr. Remis to share residents’ concerns.
As a result, Mr. Remis insisted on putting strict codes of conduct into the lease agreements for his renters. Those agreements are in place, says Waterman attorney Margo.
Each student must sign his own agreement, and his parents must cosign. “Failure to adhere to the code will be considered a breach of contract and cause for eviction,” says Margo, offering his phone number should anyone want to report a problem. Additionally, Adelstein would like to remind SD residents that, as WUSTL students, the young men are still bound by the university’s judicial code. Two WUSTL staff members living on Waterman who are involved in the Neighborhood Initiative program will be keeping an eye on the students and the property. “The school still has some teeth,” she says. Attention, new residents of 6101 Waterman: Welcome to the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood.
Original photograph caption
6101 Waterman. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2013.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2013_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
