Photography by James Byard/WUSTL Photos
The real-estate market in U. City is on an upswing, with demand outpacing supply. “Houses are selling for closer to asking price,” says realtor Joanne Iskiwitch. “Clayton used to be so much more expensive than University City. Now, it’s getting a little bit closer, price-wise.”
Several large-scale developments are also in the works. The $80 million Lofts at Washington University includes three apartment buildings and two mixed-use buildings on Delmar Boulevard, complete with ground-floor retail that will house Global Foods Market and the 24-hour Peacock Loop Diner. And the 200-unit Vanguard Crossing apartment complex touts a garage with charging stations for electric cars, a carwash, and a saltwater pool.
Of course, the much-publicized Loop Trolley is also slated to begin running in late spring 2015. Some residents have voiced concerns about noise and traffic, but the area’s leaders believe the addition will be beneficial.
“The evidence from other cities where there are trolleys is that it promotes both economic development and neighborhood revitalization,” says city manager Lehman Walker, adding that the build-out comes at a time when the area’s experiencing a boom in development. “It’s an unprecedented period of prosperity in University City.”
