Redevelopment of Wainwright building could play pivotal role in revitalizing 7th St. corridor downtown
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A request for proposals is now open for the redevelopment of the Wainwright State Office Building, a historic piece of downtown that Greater St. Louis Inc. agreed to purchase in the fall.
Now, the organization is searching for a development partner for the 10-story, 230,000 square-foot structure. Built in 1891 and designed by famed architect Louis Sullivan, it is widely considered one of the first skyscrapers in the world and is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
With the state consolidating its local workforce, about 400 workers will be relocated, creating both a vacancy and an opportunity for the city’s core.
Dustin Allison, the interim CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc., said the organization would consider all options, but that a realistic plan for the building would likely prioritize a mixed-use development with an emphasis on retail and residential.
“There’s a permanent reduction in office demand,” Allison said. “We’ve got to look creatively at our built environment and understand how we’ll reposition these buildings for the future.”
The RFP notes that developers will need to respect the building’s historic character while modernizing it for new uses. The exterior and major portions of the interior are protected under state and national preservation standards. The state has committed to vacating the property by the end of 2025.
The building also sits in the 7th St. corridor, which some consider an underutilized stretch of downtown between Ballpark Village and the America’s Center at the Dome.
A resurfacing project and sidewalk improvements are currently nearing completion on 7th St, and the city is currently in the process of acquiring the Railway Exchange Building and its adjacent parking garage.
Nearby business owners like Morad Jaber at Gyro Express have noticed spikes in activity in the area with Cardinals games, concerts and conventions.
But Jaber said he felt that downtown St. Louis still faces an image problem.
“We need more people coming down and hanging out, not spending money, but more people on the sidewalks,” he said.
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