Trivers has converted what was once a vacant office building located at 1500 S. Grand Ave. in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood into 28 boutique apartments for AHM Group.
Built in 1912 by developer and constructor Nicholas Pelligreen, who also built the St. Louis City Hospital and Sumner High School, the six-story building was scheduled to be razed for a parking lot in 2020. To save the building, a coordinated effort between St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation, Trivers and another local development group to bring the building owner and developer AHM Group to the table led to its conversion into an $8 million redevelopment.
“Any time you save a structure, you help keep its legacy alive,” said Trivers Principal Joel Fuoss, AIA, LEED AP. “The building at 1500 S. Grand has stood for more than 100 years and is a part of this area’s history. By adaptively reusing it, Trivers is continuing its commitment to work with clients like AHM who look to capitalize on St. Louis’ rich historic built environment.”
The building, now called The Nicholas, is designed to be a respite from the hectic, stressful nature of the health care environment by targeting prospective residents working at Saint Louis University, SSM Hospital or SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, all within walking distance of the project. The intimate one- and two-bedroom apartments feature a calm finish palette with soothing tones and finishes.
Trivers achieved AHM’s goal of maximizing The Nicholas’ amenities to match those offered by larger apartment buildings. It includes a screening lounge, bike storage and pet wash station as well as a rooftop deck with sweeping views of the city. In addition to apartments, the ground floor has two street frontage commercial spaces at the corner of the building and at its previous historic main entrance affronting Grand Avenue.
“This restoration aims to add vibrancy and density to Midtown,” said Brooks Goedeker, executive director of St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation. “Trivers did a fantastic job respecting the historical integrity of the building while working with neighborhood residents to ensure The Nicholas is a great fit for the community.”
Trivers partnered with Blackline Design + Construction (general contractor), Civil Design, Inc. (civil engineer) and KPFF Consulting Engineers (structural engineer) to complete The Nicholas.
“Neighborhood redevelopment is critical to the revitalization of St. Louis,” said AHM Group Principal Brian Pratt. “This rehabilitated property in a highly visible location will be a good example of how we can strengthen and grow this community through design and development.”
