Today's houses are also in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood, only a block or two from yesterday's.
February 11, 2008Left to right:
- 2617 Slattery (Blairmont, May 2006)
- 2623 Slattery
- 2625-27 Slattery (Blairmont, January 2004) - built 1899
- 2629-31 Slattery
Of the pair of beige brick, center-gabled buildings, the one on the right is owned by a private citizen, while the left belongs to "Noble Development Co. LLC" (the Blairmont building can be distinguished by the broken window.) 2617, the red brick building at far left, is owned by "VHS Partner LLC".
The original features of the two beige buildings are virtually identical. They both feature a massive Roman arched recessed entryway, an interpretation of a feature common to St. Louis houses. The inviting entry niche grounds the buildings, ties them to the street. Small windows above reflect the presence of the entryway below (and a party wall behind.)
The Blairmont building is empty, its front door boarded over, but otherwise has not been secured, with all the windows left exposed. It's a sign of neglect, a sign of not caring. What would this cohesive little corner of the neighborhood look like if the two Blairmont buildings were to fall?
Update: 2617 has been destroyed by brick rustlers.
May 2008
