by Matt Kastner 
It’s been an eventful few years for the historic Pevely Dairy Complex at 1001 South Grand Blvd, on the southwest corner of Chouteau and South Grand. Following the abrupt closure of the site in October 2008, Bruce Development unveiled plans to convert the site to a mixed-use development. All seemed to be going smoothly until a fire wiped out one of the buildings in March 2009. Talk of Bruce Development’s purchase vanished at that point. However, in November 2009, a major hurdle to development was overcome when the site was officially added to the National Registers of Historic Places. All had been quite on the news front for the better part of a year until developer Rick Yackey unveiled plans to on create 165 market-rate apartments and commercial space on the redeveloped site in late 2010.
While groundbreaking, originally set for Spring 2011, never occurred, it seemed as though Yackey’s plan would eventually become a reality. Then the new hit that St. Louis University has purchased the complex. And just like that, the situation is dire again. Considering SLU’s history of leveling historic buildings, and St. Louis City’s willingness to let them do so, it is possible the site could be destined for the wrecking ball. But thankfully, the fact that the complex is no on the National Register of Historic Places, that might be easier said than done. Hopefully the site is reused instead.
