Development Update

The Carondelet neighborhood (formerly the independent City of Carondelet) is one of St. Louis’s most interesting. Its history, colored by successive waves of Irish and German immigrants, is apparent in its churches, cast-iron storefronts, town markets, and blocks of brick and stone houses.

Carondelet is a good example of a quiet City neighborhood that is taking advantage of its diverse population, largely intact building stock, progressive aldermanic leadership, and geography. Some important historic renovation has been going on there over the past several years, and new businesses and retailers are “discovering” it as great place to invest.

The City’s planning commission recently considered a proposal by Hilliker Corporation to renovate an 80,000 sf building at Koeln and I-55 as offices and warehouse space. And developer Ben Simms is planning the historic rehabilitation of the former Carondelet school at 8201 Minnestota as unique residential apartments. His wider plan is to combine the school renovation with the renovation of other properties in a development that involves 350 residential rental units as well as retail/restaurant space. His associate in the project is Pete Rothschild whose renovation of the former St. Boniface Church is now thriving as a live theater space. The new development will reinforce what Mr. Simms and Mr. Rothschild, working with neighborhood residents and businesses, the Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, and Alderman Matt Villa, have already accomplished in the Carondelet neighborhood.