The Top Five Buildings in St. Louis

There are countless buildings in St. Louis that are worth a good long weekend of touring through the city, but to narrow it down for you, there’s a top 5 list of the notorious St. Louis favorites. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these edifices the next time you’re in that crazy town known as St. Louis!

1. The Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

This structure in downtown Riverfront in St. Louis is probably the most iconic and recognizable structure in St. Louis. Architect Eero Saarinen & Associates were responsible for building the structure in 1965, and it still has a great tourist draw today. The people of St. Louis have a lot of pride for this structure, and when you visit it, you’ll know why.

2. The Old Cathedral (Basilica of St. Louis, King of France)

This stunning cathedral, built by Joseph C. Laveille and George Morton is the oldest cathedral west of the Mississippi, and stands on privately owned land in the Memorial expansion area. The site was reserved for church construction in 1764, but the current cathedral is the fourth church to be built on the site. If only they could make up their minds already!

3. The Old Courthouse

Located on Broadway and Chestnut, as well as Market and 4th street, this great old courthouse takes up an entire block of St. Louis. Architects Henry Singleton, Robert S. Mitchell, and William Rumbold take the credit for this one. This great building is a precursor to the dome found on the US capital building in Washington during the Civil War. The Dred Scott case was heard here, the verdict of which was a catalyst to the Civic War in the US.

4. Wainwright Building

The famous Wainwright Building is located at 709 Chestnut Street. Architects Adler & Sullivan are the masterminds, with renovations by others. The Wainwright Building is known as the first American skyscraper, which puts it in the book of legends in American architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The Wainwright is a monument to the first perception of the tall building as a harmonious unit - its height triumphant." The building was purchased by the state of Missouri in 1981, and unfortunately the building is no longer open to the public, except the lobby. But luckily, you can still see the façade from outside.

5. The Old Post Office

The Old Post Office takes up Olive, Locust, Eights and Ninth Streets, and the architecture is by Alfred B. Mullet, with restorations by others. It was originally built to be a federal court and customs house, but now seems fortress-like due to the stunning granite facing. Today the OPO has a nice restaurant, library, as well as some corporations.

These are 5 exceptional buildings in St. Louis, but if you’re like me and enjoy the local color as well, Thomas P. Barnett’s great Spanish Mission style art deco building is definitely a highlight at 3207 Washington Ave.

T.P. Barnett is son of George I. Barnett, another famous architect in St. Louis. The T.P. Barnett building is particularly interesting because it also has Art Deco influences, making it one of the most unique buildings in the Grand Center region of St. Louis. Certainly the next time you’re in St. Louis, you need to visit this Spanish Revival building on Washington Avenue.

Article Source: http://articleaddict.com

Mark Bradley is a real estate historian and investor. Specializing in renovating historic architecture. For a 15 page historic report on Mark’s Spanish Mission Building at 3207 Washington Ave St Louis Mo 63103 go to www.3207washington.com

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