Photography by STLRealTour.com
Tell us about the house that you submitted. What about it makes it beautiful? Steve Alabach: The curb appeal alone is amazing. The nine-and-a-half foot French doors, the natural light. The architecture is just great! It’s a unique design by architects Mariner & LaBeaume.
What do you know about the history of the house? Steve: Originally the house was part of a 78-acre land tract. At the turn of the 19th century, the land [that the house sits on] was sold to the Gratz family. Mr. Gratz was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and was a manufacturer of rope. The house was built in 1908.
What architectural elements around the house are you most drawn to? Steve: The details…the stone and brickwork; the quoins on the exterior…carry on inside the house. The millwork on the fireplaces and around the dining room is something you don’t see anymore. There are seven fireplaces in the main house and one in the carriage house. Nichole: We were told that the fireplace in the great room was gigantic, with an opening so large that people could walk into it. Previous owners had the opening made smaller, installed a granite surround, and designed a mantel that replicates one in the dining room. When you walk into the door of this house, you walk into one large room that is almost the length of the house. The fact that there are no stopping points makes it flow well for parties.
Have you made any changes to the exterior? Steve: We wanted the exterior to be as beautiful as the interior. Starting with a new landscape design, we revamped the landscaping throughout the property, adding the outdoor stone fireplace, the natural stone pavers, installed new wrought iron railing, and rebuilt the pool. We also worked closely with the Preservation Board of the City of St. Louis to design and construct new energy-efficient custom wood windows that maintain the beautiful appearance of the home while making the home more energy-efficient. We also installed landscaping lighting that accentuates the architectural details of the home at night. Nichole: We've also restored the bay window to the original copper and added copper gutters around the main house.
In your experience, when does the house look its best? Steve: My favorite time is in the winter when it snows. Everything is a blanket of white—the Christmas lights are up—but you can still see the redbrick. I also enjoy it in the spring when everything is starting to bloom. The magnolia [tree] has these beautiful pink flowers…and the cherry blossoms...
