Trivers recently completed renovations on a new 36,000-square-foot headquarters jointly owned by Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders. Known as the Northside Movement Center, the facility is located on Goodfellow Boulevard in St. Louis’ North Pointe neighborhood in the former New Northside Family Life Center. By bringing the two teams under one roof with rental and co-working spaces available for residents and groups, the facility supports their shared mission of establishing a welcoming beacon for community collaboration and empowerment.
Action St. Louis is a grassroots organization working to build power for Black communities in the St. Louis area through organizing, advocacy and direct action to fight for racial justice. ArchCity Defenders is a holistic legal advocacy organization that fights against the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. The two organizations have a long history of working together to advance racial justice and strengthen their community.
“Both of these organizations do such impactful, meaningful work to create a brighter future for people in underserved and underinvested communities,” said Trivers Principal Joel Fuoss, FAIA, IIDA, LEED AP. “Our ability to provide them a space of hope to better serve folks in the community is a core principle of what we do.”
Trivers helped Action and ArchCity define programmatic criteria for spaces that serve their unique needs. After the right building was identified and acquired, Trivers served as the lead architect and interior designer on its $7 million renovation, designing a center that embodies the values of accessibility, transparency and inclusion.
“Many of the people our organizations serve live in North St. Louis, and it was essential for us to be rooted in this community,” said Blake Strode, executive director of ArchCity. “Proximity also deepens the partnership between ArchCity and Action, encouraging collaboration and bringing our teams together around shared values and a common purpose.”
Originally constructed in 1953, once serving as an Aldi and later repurposed as a childcare facility and community church, the building went through many alterations and additions over time. The reimagined facility is now organized into two sections: the North Side and the South Side connected by a central common space. The North Side includes modern office spaces for approximately 65 employees from both organizations. The South Side houses community gathering areas, meeting rooms and a gymnasium.
“Working within the building’s existing footprint, we intimately engaged both organizations in how to best serve community members’ needs, which range greatly in scale, scope and timing,” Fuoss said. “The result is a facility that leverages shared uses, distinct yet flexible areas for community support and private zones for the two organizations’ respective necessary programmatic functions.”
The project prioritized sustainability by preserving existing walls and rooms whenever possible, reducing construction waste. Materials used inside the building were carefully selected for their environmental and health benefits. Many include recycled content or meet rigorous transparency standards, and all new flooring is free from harmful chemicals, supporting a healthier indoor environment.
A grand opening celebration was held February 27-28, which included a ribbon cutting and open house, refreshments, guided tours, access to community resources and family-friendly activities.
“The event was an opportunity for our community partners to see and understand the space,” said Kayla Reed, executive director of Action. “While it was a celebratory moment for the building opening, it was also an invitation for people to join the network and learn more about the work our two organizations do.”
