CITY OF ST. LOUIS
City Hall
1200 Market Street
St. Louis 314-622-4800
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov
Chamber of Commerce
One Metropolitan Square
Suite 1300
St. Louis 314-231-5555
http://www.stlregionalchamber.com
Major Highways
Interstates 44, 55, 64, and 70
While visitors immediately associate St. Louis with the dramatic Gateway Arch that has become its signature, newcomers will be most impressed with city’s unique blend of Heartland friendliness and urban sophistication. As a separate jurisdiction from the surrounding St. Louis County, the city nestles into a wide bend of the rolling Mississippi River. Home to scores of tree-lined neighborhoods with distinctive personalities and flavors, St. Louis also claims a dynamic economic engine fueled by Fortune 500 headquarters and major corporations as well as small companies. In addition to tourism, the diverse major industries include aviation, biotechnology, chemicals, electrical utilities, food and beverage manufacturing, refining, research, telecommunications, and transportation.
Historic Soulard with its open-air market, the Anheuser-Busch brewery, the Italian shops and restaurants on the Hill, Union Station, and Forest Park are just a few of the highlights that maintain the city’s status as a popular destination for visitors. At the same time, the newly expanded America’s Center convention complex welcomes some of the nation’s largest meeting groups to the very heart of downtown St. Louis. The center’s Edward Jones Dome is distinguished as the first multi-purpose stadium in America to be built as an integral part of a convention center, hosting special events and serving as the spectacular home of the St. Louis Rams. One of the world’s largest international airports combines with an entire network of Interstate highways, light rail, and other mass transit options to ensure efficient transportation. Regardless of the endeavor, St. Louis knows how to shine.
Services
Healthcare facilities and services in Greater St. Louis are among the nation’s finest, from renowned children’s hospitals to teaching institutions and specialized centers of excellence. Respected healthcare systems like BJC Health Care, Tenet Healthcare, Sisters of Mercy Health System, and SSM Health Care offer major hospitals and medical centers that are convenient to every St. Louis address. Throughout the city, supportive services such as emergency care centers, family practice clinics, rehabilitation and long-term care centers meet every need.
Public and private schools provide a quality education to the leaders of tomorrow, combining a strong core curriculum with a wide array of extra-curricular activities and opportunities for enrichment and self-expression. St. Louis serves as the hub of higher education for the metropolitan area, home to campuses for St. Louis Community College in Florissant Valley, Forest Park, and Meramec as well as Harris-Stowe State College and the University of Missouri. A wide selection of seminaries and private institutions are also located in the city, including Fontbonne University, Jewish Hospital College of Nursing & Allied Health, Maryville University, Missouri Baptist University, Ranken Technical College, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Saint Louis University, Washington University, and Webster University.
Lifestyle
The diversity of the St. Louis environment appeals to every age and interest, mixing the nation’s premier professional sports scene with the arts and recreation. Three professional sports teams keep the downtown district filled with vitality and excitement. The revitalized riverfront district of Laclede’s Landing features additional entertainment opportunities, including riverboat casinos, restaurants, shops and the Gateway Arch Park surrounding the famous Gateway Arch. Union Station, formerly St. Louis’ train terminal, now offers popular night spots, a grand hotel, specialty shops, and wonderful restaurants. For ethnic restaurants and fine art galleries, South Grand Boulevard is ideal.
Of the city’s premier attractions, Forest Park is the emerald jewel. This oasis was the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and sprawls over more area than New York City’s Central Park. Covering 1,370 lush acres, the park showcases recent renovations and provides a breathtaking backdrop for world-class recreational, cultural, and entertainment attractions. Audiences in St. Louis enjoy first-rate performances by local, regional, and national talent as well as stellar entertainment on an international scale in dazzling venues. Symphony, choral performances, opera, ballet, community theater, children’s programming, active arts groups, rock concerts, fine galleries, and colorful cultural festivals are all part of the cultural treasures in St. Louis.
Known as a city of neighborhoods that offer unique housing opportunities and distinctive flavors, St. Louis has experienced a rebirth in many long-established quarters. Restoration efforts are bringing residents back to the central business districts to live, work, and play. New and refurbished homes and apartments enjoy a location near popular street-side restaurants, specialty shops, and nightclubs. Downtown St. Louis, with its legacy of architectural treasures, sets the stage for fashionable neighborhoods where charming exteriors have been restored to their original luster. From opulent turn-of-the-century mansions and distinguished 19th-century row homes to luxury lofts and condominiums, the housing selection is remarkably varied. Each neighborhood is defined by its historic atmosphere, tree-canopied lanes, nearby parks, and distinctive amenities.
NOTABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Central West End
Vibrant and diverse, Central West End is a truly cosmopolitan community where elegant homes, small businesses, and eateries line tree-shaded streets. Creating a medley of atmospheres reminiscent of Europe, New York, and vintage St. Louis, the neighborhood features trendy boutiques, antique shops, charming sidewalk cafes, and cozy pubs. Adjacent to the commercial district are tree-shaded private streets lined by large, stately homes — included the boyhood home of playwright Tennessee Williams. The breathtaking Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis and the world’s largest collection of mosaic art is another neighborhood anchor. Local events like the spring house tour, the Taste of the Central West End food festival, the Greek Festival, and Halloween festivities attract enthusiastic crowds. Conveniently located to the west of Midtown along St. Louis’ central corridor and bordered by Delmar Boulevard and Highway 40, this lively neighborhood enjoys a location in close proximity to the city’s intimate entertainment venues and premier regional attractions.
Grand South Grand
Diversity is the hallmark of this neighborhood, bringing an international flavor into the St. Louis cityscape. The relatively compact six-block area known as Grand South Grand offers an eclectic commercial district that brings together Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese restaurants; ethnic grocery stores; unique boutiques; vintage clothing stores, and Asian import centers. Even the annual events centered in this neighborhood tend to be a celebration of cultural diversity, from the Chinese New Year to the Festival of nations. The spectacular Tower Grove Park borders the neighborhood, offering whimsical pavilions, statuary, fountains, and replicas of classical ruins to create an idyllic Victorian walking park. Neighboring the park is the acclaimed Missouri Botanical Garden with its premier research and educational programs.
The Hill
Described by Saveur magazine as “America’s other Little Italy,” The Hill offers one of St. Louis’ most. Residents have carried on the rich traditions of the Italian immigrants who first settled the area in the 1900s. Even the fireplugs that form a colorful neighborhood boundary showcase the green, white, and red colors of Italy. Famous native sons and baseball personalities Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola played on the same streets where today’s youth gather for a game of Italian lawn bowling. The neighborhood’s warm and welcoming feeling is enhanced by tidy yards and small but well-kept homes. Elegant gourmet Italian restaurants, trattorias, Italian grocery stores, shops, pubs, and clubs are intermingled throughout this close-knit neighborhood.
Holly Hills
The Holly Hills neighborhood is a quiet, primarily residential community located just north of Carondelet Park in south St. Louis. A community centered around the namesake of Holly Hills Boulevard, this area offers residents a blending of activity and serenity. Delightfully accented by hundreds of towering sycamore trees planted here in the 1920s, each street creates a shady, tree-lined oasis for beautiful homes. Housing primarily consists of immaculate redbrick bungalows and elegant mansions as well as family-sized homes on comfortable city-sized lots. The highlight of this gracious neighborhood is Carondelet Park, a peaceful retreat brimming with wooded knolls and dramatic ravines. Local residents mingle with visitors as they enjoy the park’s recreational opportunities from ice skating to boating, fishing, picnicking, and hiking.
Lafayette Square
Many glowing adjectives can be applied to beautiful Lafayette Square, distinguished as the oldest and one of the most picturesque of the city’s historic districts. This vintage neighborhood is lined with mansions, townhouses, and rowhomes constructed in architectural styles that were fashionable from the Civil War through the 1900s. The turn-of-the-century “painted ladies” that frame the square are noted as one of the nation’s finest collections of Victorian architecture. The result is an elegant atmosphere that reflects the affluence of earlier times. The undisputed jewel of the neighborhood is 30-acre Lafayette Park, the oldest park west of the Mississippi. A pristine backdrop to the neighborhood’s 375 stately Victorian homes, the park gives residents an opportunity to stroll beneath towering trees and relax in a lush and peaceful atmosphere. The neighborhood’s annual House & Garden Tour and Victorian Art Festival are held in June, while parlor tours light up the holiday season.
St. Louis Hills
Situated in the southwest portion of St. Louis between Hampton Avenue, Chippewa Street and River Des Peres, St. Louis Hills stands as the last, large subdivision created by the city. With each building claiming an individual style, the neighborhood boasts a unique charm. A family-oriented environment, St. Louis Hills surrounds the 60-acre Francis Park with an array stately brick homes. Many residences boast unique designs including zigzag brick patterns, porthole windows, slate and tile roofs, and glass-block trim. Mature trees grace the streets throughout the neighborhood, predominantly oak, maple, poplar, and birch. In this area that offers close proximity to Interstates 44 and 55 as well as other major arteries, commutes to other metropolitan destinations are quick and easy.
Shaw
Designated as a historic district in 1985, the colorful history the Shaw neighborhood offers a remarkable array of housing styles. From Victorian homes and two- and four-family flats to bungalows, Dutch Colonials, and sprawling apartment buildings, the diversity of styles adds historic charm to the area. Shaw’s residents represent a diversity as rich as the neighborhood’s architectural styles. Culturally and economically mixed, the area takes pride in the community spirit that makes the neighborhoods such a pleasing home. This quaint neighborhood is bordered on the south by the foliage, gazebos, and fountains of Tower Grove Park. To the west is the Missouri Botanical Garden, with the Compton Heights Water Tower on the east. Highway 44 runs along the northern boundary, ensuring quick and easy access to downtown St. Louis. The local neighborhood association sponsors a community garden club, family picnics, street parties, annual events, and numerous children’s activities.
Southwest Garden
The large neighborhood of Southwest Garden, just west of the Missouri Botanical Garden, is bounded by Interstate 44 on the north for commuting convenience. Hampton Avenue forms the western boundary, with Tower Grove Avenue to the east. Several diverse enclaves harmonize large and gracious private homes with some of the city’s most architecturally significant apartment buildings and tidy bungalows. Serving as the neighborhood’s “front yard” and southern boundary is the National Historic Landmark of Tower Grove Park. This lush retreat offers an elegant 19th-century Victorian walking park so exceptional in design and preservation that it creates the ideal complement to beautiful vintage homes. Interesting architectural details such as porches with wrought-iron balconies, parapets, dormers, and slate roofs are common in Southwest Garden. Thoughtful planners lined the area’s private, gently curving streets with grand residences that continue to reflect pride of ownership.
Soulard, Cherokee Street
Bounded by Interstate 55, Gravois, and Marion on the west and north; Seventh and Broadway on the east; and Cherokee Street on the south; the Soulard neighborhood is known for its brick sidewalks and 19th-century architectural treasures. Residents are drawn to the neighborhood by its distinguished redbrick Federal-style rowhouses and Italianate style houses popular in the St. Louis’ Victorian era. Locals enjoy relaxing and socializing in the neighborhood’s many parks, walled gardens, nearby cafes, and specialty stores. Dozens of merchants line the Cherokee Street antique row with treasure-laden shops. Each weekend, visitors flock to the Soulard Farmers’ Market to purchase an array of fresh produce. This colorful neighborhood comes alive several times a year with festive outdoor celebrations including the nation’s second largest Mardi Gras festival, a Bastille Day Festival, and a Holiday House Tour. The neighborhood is also known for offering America’s greatest roots music and world-famous St. Louis Blues.
Tower Grove East
Bounded by Shenandoah on the north, the Tower Grove East neighborhood borders Nebraska and Gravois on the east and south, and South Grand on the west. Characterized as a very strong southern St. Louis neighborhood, Tower Grove East is rich in community spirit, architectural splendor, and historical heritage. Even in homes where the exterior seems somewhat austere, the interiors offer delightful surprises and a wide variety of unique embellishments. Richly designed entryways with carved fretwork, built-in hall benches, mirrors and bookcases, wood paneling, stained-glass windows, and elaborate staircases are common in Tower Grove East homes. Conveniently located just six miles from downtown St. Louis, the area offers close proximity to major highways and hospitals. At the same time, the neighborhood retains a “hometown” feeling where friends often greet each other at local shops and restaurants.
Tower Grove South
Just 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Tower Grove South also enjoys close proximity to a number of antique rows and business districts. Residents enjoy easy walking or driving access to commercial centers and convenient services. The neighborhood boasts an active housing restoration and rehabilitation culture that continually renovates unused storefronts. More recently, these efforts have been directed toward creating beautiful single-family homes from former two-family flats. The architecture of Tower Grove East tends to reflect the rich heritage found throughout St. Louis. Many of the homes are brick with stone foundations, although the vintage Victorian structures are frame construction. Many residences offer distinctive features and accents including oak flooring, leaded glass windows, fireplaces, and French doors.
The Ville
The most historically significant African-American neighborhood in the city, The Ville began as an estate owned by florist and horticulturist Charles M. Elleard. In the 1920s, the neighborhood was home to an elite community, including Annie Malone — one of the first African-American millionaires in the nation. The local high school claims such famous alumni as opera diva Grace Bumbry, rock legend Chuck Berry, singer Tina Turner, and tennis great Arthur Ashe. Towering Ville Monument honors them and other famous sons and daughters. The community gathers annually for special events that honor the founder and celebrate the spirit of this close-knit neighborhood. Active groups support the continual renovation of the area’s legacy of turn-of-the-century homes with its rich architecture.
Washington Avenue Loft District
Offering an unsurpassed centralized location in St. Louis, the area known as the Washington Avenue Loft District is gaining popularity as fashionable and convenient neighborhood. Residents live within walking distance of professional sports arenas, some of St. Louis’ finest shopping centers, the towering public library, the City Museum, popular nightclubs, and spectacular downtown events. Washington Avenue has long been known as the historic heart of St. Louis’ garment district, with a portion of the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the district forms the epicenter of a pulsating arts and entertainment neighborhood complete with loft housing, artist studios, and trendy cafes. Presenting a unique housing alternative, these refurbished lofts tend to be spacious and grand. Touted as “St. Louis living with an urban flair,” Washington Avenue residents enjoy the best of St. Louis and the lively downtown atmosphere.
