Photography by Alise O'Brien
6440 Forsyth
314-935-5210
AGilded Age entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Veiled Prophet organization, Henry C. Haarstick redefined the term “doting dad.” He commissioned architect James P. Jamieson to design houses side by side for his newlywed daughters. The year was 1912; the cost was $47,049 each. Today, one of the houses is home to Washington University chancellor Mark Wrighton; the second, the Whittemore House, is a private club where the faculty, administration, and donors can meet and dine.
Over the years, the Whittemore building, long rumored to be haunted, had aged—gracelessly. In 2007, the school hired Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design to revamp and redo it. Renovations began in 2012. “One of the most difficult parts of the design assignment was balancing the wish to be more modern and to not lose traditional features,” says architect Susan Bower. Bathrooms were added, walls were painted, paneling was cleaned, floors were refinished, new lighting and wiring were installed, a bride’s room was created, and layouts were reconfigured. Modern chandeliers by Paolo Rizzatto and furniture from Crate & Barrel were paired with existing antiques. Much of the art on the walls came from Island Press, part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. “We did everything to enhance what was here and reveal the architectural elements,” says Bower.
