by Matt Kastner Gut rehabs of LRA (Land Reutilization Authority) have been few and far between in the past eighteen months, with construction financing has been virtually nonexistent in this economic climate. So you can count me surprised when I got a call from a friend saying that this 4,932 sq ft monster in Marine Villa was going to be turned into a single family home.
Originally a bakery on the first floor and a boarding house on the second and third, this 1902 property is undergoing demo as I write this. For those unfamiliar with it, the property is at the southeast corner of the intersection of Illinois and Potomac, just south of the Cherokee Antique District. Being developed by Tiger Lily Development by Clover Leaf General Contracting, the projected is being targeted for a June completion. That might seem a tad long, but considering the current condition of the property, such a timetable would be quite impressive.
To put it mildly, this place is a wreck. The garage addition on the rear needs to be totally ripped out, the roof is shot, the structure needs to be jacked up, all the floors are caving in… you get the idea. The picture gallery below is eyeopening to say the least. Due to budget restraints some improvements the developers wanted to tackle won’t be happening, but the rehab will be historic (they are using Missouri Historic Tax Credits) and green. Here are a few bullet points on the finished project:
- Spray foam insulation to maximize energy efficiency
- Geothermal heating and cooling system
- 4 bedrooms with one being on the first floor
- Third floor is a large loft area, which will be finished
- Storefront will be restored to the original glass
- Large 2-car carport int he rear
That is just a taste of what they will be doing. Quite impressive on such a limited budget. Its certainly great to see such grandiose projects still taking place in Marine Villa and Benton Park, which is just a block north. Expect more as the project progress.
