I read it today . . . Part I

In today's AIArchitect, the weekly newsletter of the AIA, I read a story with this sub-heading:

"How do you transform a 19th century, German-style brewery into a modern, mixed-use development?"

No, it wasn't about Cincinnati but a project in St. Louis. But the whole time reading it I kept wanting to replace the "St. Louis" with "Cincinnati". Here are a few pictures and excerpts from the article:"Wichita-based WDM Architects and St. Louis-based Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) have designed plans for Garrison Development to adaptively reuse the historic Lemp Brewery complex in St. Louis. Plans call for redeveloping the 14-acre site into more than 400 residential apartments and approximately 75,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. At $150 million, the project is one of the largest historic redevelopment projects in St. Louis. Construction is expected to begin in May 2008 and be completed in three phases over the next four years."

"The million-square-foot, Lemp Brewery complex is a St. Louis landmark and icon. The brewery was founded in 1840 by Adam Lemp, who introduced German lager beer to St. Louis. His lager-style beer was brewed in underground natural caves that acted as a cooling system. Subsequent buildings were constructed until the Prohibition closed the plant in 1919. The site continued development through the 1950s under the International Shoe Company. The complex, south of downtown near the Anheuser-Busch headquarters, has signature design elements, including its exposed brick, arched windows, tall ceilings, and pilasters."

While I do not think we have anything that compares size-wise, the brewery history sounds identical to Cincinnati. And let me just say, "Bring on the streetcar!"

All images from AIArchitect, This Week: February 15, 2008