The City
Boulevard Heights
Near Carondelet Park, at the city’s southern edge, Boulevard Heights has recently seen affordable single-family homes, town homes, and condos rise at a development sharing the neighborhood’s name.
Carondelet
Although Carondelet has trailed its neighbors Soulard and Benton Park in development, Sister Mary Ann Nestel, executive director of the Carondelet Community Betterment Foundation, says plenty is in the works. The organization is developing a strategic long-term plan. With a community rec center being built, a new casino coming to nearby Lemay, and the opening of the Ivory Theatre, named “the prettiest theater in town” by the Post’s Judy Newmark, the historic neighborhood seems poised to catch up with its northern neighbors.
Columbus Square
Just north of the Edward Jones Dome and within walking distance of bustling Washington Avenue, tiny Columbus Square continues to wait for the much-hyped Bottle District to develop. But Matt Bernsen, the district’s marketing director, said there was no news as of mid-February. New Orleans–based Historic Restoration Inc., however, told the St. Louis Business Journal in February that it’s reviewing plans for redeveloping two buildings on the site. For now, the waiting game continues.
Fox Park
Positioned to reap the benefits of nearby thriving neighborhoods like Lafayette Square and Benton Park, Fox Park has a strong neighborhood association; in fact, it recently started a community kickball team. “It’s really established itself in recent years as a desirable and vastly improving neighborhood,” says Tom Pickel, executive director of DeSales Community Housing Corporation, an organization that promotes investment in Fox Park and Tower Grove East.
The Garden District
When six blocks of the Botanical Heights district were redeveloped several years ago, some locals protested the demolition of old McRee Town’s historic housing. Now its 143 new homes are sold and occupied, says Pickel. For the remaining blocks in the Garden District Commission’s plan, DeSales Community Housing Corporation—working on behalf of the GDC—is striving to preserve owner-occupied houses while adding new homes on vacant lots. In Shaw, Southwest Garden, Tiffany, and Botanical Heights, the affordability and central location are attracting many families. “Botanical Heights recently commissioned a market study by a respected new-home market consultant,” says Pickel. “He said that in times of recession, the market in the city tends to contract to the central corridor, from near south to near north, and we’re definitely seeing that.”
Hyde Park
Over the past several decades, groups like the Hyde Park Alliance and Hyde Park Business Association have worked to restore the neighborhood. While development is significantly behind Old North, some locals are tackling rehab projects, and ambitious citizens hope to beautify the park, attract businesses to Salisbury Street, and rehab historic Bremen Theater.
JeffVanderLou
Just north of Grand Center, JeffVanderLou is the former home of Sportsman’s Park. Blogs like Built St. Louis and Ecology of Absence document much of the neglected housing stock, where McEagle Properties’ Paul McKee has bought up many vacant areas.
Southampton
This tight-knit South City community, with its charming brick bungalows on tree-lined streets, rallies around locally owned businesses like green Home Eco and Murdoch Perk coffee shop. With a strong neighborhood association, Southampton maintains one of the city’s lowest crime rates.
The Ville and Greater Ville
While there are many long-neglected buildings in these neighborhoods, structures like
100-year-old Sumner High School and Homer G. Phillips Hospital (now a senior-living facility) still stand.
West End
As the Loop stretches east along Delmar, look for new developments, both commercial and residential. Already, there are newer buildings and businesses, like the Delmar Place Townhomes and Nubia Café.
The County
Bellefontaine Neighbors
Perhaps best known for historic Bellefontaine Cemetery, this North County neighborhood has a rich history and diverse community. Local writer Carol Ferring Shepley recently penned a book—Movers, Shakers, Scalawags, and Suffragettes: Tales From Bellefontaine Cemetery—that captures the city’s history through the lives of the cemetery’s inhabitants.
Crestwood and Grantwood Village
Just south of I-44, Crestwood’s most notable attraction is Sappington House, a history museum owned by the parks department. East of Crestwood, Grant’s Farm, in the tiny municipality of Grantwood Village, is a must-see—though it’s open only on weekends during spring.
Ferguson
Ferguson’s Citywalk district boasts the historic Savoy Theater building and Ferguson Depot, a train depot–turned-museum that also houses the Whistle Stop custard shop.
Florissant
Like other parts of North County, Florissant saw a rise in commercial and residential development before the recession, with the $55 million renovation of The Shoppes at Cross Keys. At the same time, groups like Florissant Old Town Partners are working to develop and preserve historic areas.
Hazelwood
Since the Ford assembly plant closed in 2006, Hazelwood has worked to “diversify its industrial, retail, and service,” writes communications coordinator Tim Davidson. “Development programs under way in the community, both public and private, exceed $2 billion in value.” Among its most recent completed projects: White Birch Bay, a $5.7 million aquatic center.
Lemay
It might come as a surprise that CNN Money recently proclaimed Lemay, a census-designated place along the river in South County, No. 85 on its “100 Best Places to Live and Launch.” A significant consideration: Pinnacle Entertainment’s lofty plans for its $375 million River City casino and hotel. With new jobs and visitors should come a boost to the local economy.
Overland
Centrally located, with a mix of historic buildings and innovative businesses like Alberici and Clayco, Overland boasts some great Mexican food.
Pasadena Hills
Pasadena Hills is a community with abundant green space that includes its own lake-centered park area.
St. Albans
More than a golfing community, St. Albans has lovely views of historic sites…though the area’s golf courses are pretty phenomenal.
St. Ann
Established more than 60 years ago to house defense workers, St. Ann is slowly working on plans to redevelop Northwest Plaza and areas along St. Charles Rock Road.
St. Charles County
Augusta
While some towns in St. Charles County have developed quickly over the past decade, Augusta is known for the opposite: peace and relaxation. Although home to only 200 people, the small town draws tourists to its fine drinking establishments—seven wineries, most notably Mount Pleasant, as well as Augusta Brewing Co. And if a drink isn’t enough to help you unwind, the serene Mid-America Buddhist Association is nearby.
Cottleville
With Woodlands Sports Park, Mid Rivers Golf Links, Persimmon Woods Golf Club, and Whitmoor Country Club a 7-iron away, Cottleville is in many ways like its neighbor O’Fallon: ideal for the sports fanatic.
Dardenne Prairie
Once-rural Dardenne Prairie is today anything but prairie. It now has sprawling suburbs, name-brand stores, and a new city hall under construction. Yet plenty of green spaces are nearby, including three golf courses and the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area just south of Highway 40.
Wentzville
BusinessWeek recently proclaimed the home of the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire to be Missouri’s biggest boomtown, saying the town “was a hub for new construction during the boom. But like much of the country, construction has slowed, stores are now selling less, and unemployment is rising.” The study, conducted by Arkansas-based research firm Gadberry Group, found the area’s households have grown 160 percent since 2000.
Metro East
Alton
Known for the now-expanded Fast Eddie’s Bon Air, Alton is a river town with plenty of other things to see: eagles along the river, cable-stayed Clark Bridge, and the life-size statue of Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man, at the SIU School of Dental Medicine.
Collinsville
Collinsville has a bizarre fixation on condiments: It’s known as the “Horseradish Capital of the World” and sports the world’s largest ketchup bottle as a water tower. But the city of 25,000 also offers affordable housing and a low crime rate. While there, grab a slice of cheesecake from Kruta’s.
Columbia
This tiny German town—the original home of now-defunct Strassenfest—made waves in recent years for political squabbles over city development. Gruchala’s is one place where the locals can make peace over breakfast.
Edwardsville
Edwardsville, the third-oldest city in Illinois and home to SIUE, grew by nearly 5,000 citizens between 2000 and 2007. Among notable eateries that opened there in recent years are Fond and Erato on Main. Trust us: Both are well worth the trip.
Highland
Home to the Madison County Fair, Highland is a quaint Swiss-German town that hosts the Peanut Butter and Jam Festival during the summer. Other quirky facts: Wicks Pipe Organ Co., maker of elaborate church organs, and Highland Supply Corporation, the world’s largest supplier of green Easter grass, call the town home.
O’Fallon
Not to be confused with Missouri’s own version, O’Fallon, Ill., saw a building boom in the ’90s with Highway 64’s expansion. Today, 50 percent of the city’s housing stock is less than 15 years old.
Shiloh and Swansea
Sandwiched between rapidly expanding Belleville and O’Fallon, Shiloh and Swansea are prime for development. In just five years, from 2000 to 2005, Shiloh grew by 3,500, and Swansea went from 10,500 in 2000 to an estimated 12,800 in 2007. “Swansea is holding its own in these down times with new subdivisions,” says village administrator John Openlander, noting Fulford Homes is building homes and a splash pad is coming to Schranz Park.
Valmeyer
Devastated by the Great Flood of 1993, Valmeyer rebuilt on higher ground 2 miles east. Today, the city of 1,200 continues to rebuild its population. One interesting destination: Rock City Admiral Parkway Development, an underground storage facility that houses frozen food and national archives. The former limestone quarry stays 58 degrees year-round.
Waterloo
The historically German town of Waterloo, at the southern edge of Metro East, shares a special bond with its sister city, Porta Westfalica in Germany. Each summer, the city hosts its Porta Westfalica Festival, drawing Germans to town and promising to visit in return.
By Dan Michel and Jarrett Medlin
