Project Overview
Description: Renovation of historic structure into restaurant, retail, and multi-family space
Location: Automotive District, St. Louis, MO
Metropolitan Build’s Services: Architectural services, General contracting, Construction management, Historic preservation
Architect (original structure): William A. Balsh
Renovation Architect: Carlos A. Mindreau (Metropolitan Build)
Summary
This building, originally constructed in 1919 as the Cadillac Automobile Company Building, was designed by architect William Balsh in the Classical Revival – Second Egyptian style and built in the “Automobile Row” region of downtown St. Louis. In 2004, Metropolitan Build was brought on to renovate the building, executing a full rehabilitation of the structure including structural corrections and a finish interiors package.
Cadillac Lofts Exterior - Before Renovation
Cadillac Lofts Exterior - After Renovation
Renovation Project Program
In 2004, the renovation of the Cadillac Automobile Company Building was already underway. Metropolitan Build was engaged to secure state and federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits for the project and perform architectural and engineering services. The client’s development program included mixed-use, income-producing property with retail, office, and restaurant space on the ground floor, large luxury apartments on the second and third floors, and the owner’s full-floor penthouse (nearly 10,000 square feet) on the fourth floor, with private access to a rooftop deck. The basement level needed to be fully renovated and transformed into a garage for tenant use. The total square footage of the project was approximately 50,000.
Windows – Before Renovation
Windows - After Renovation
Exterior Renovation - In Progress
Exterior Renovation - In Progress
Roof Renovation - In Progress
Expansion of Metropolitan Build’s Role
We collaborated with historic preservation consultant Karen Bode Baxter to get the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. After bringing the project into compliance for Historic Tax Credits (HTCs), we were sequentially engaged as construction managers and to supervise the exterior envelope work. Later, we became the general contractors for the full building rehabilitation. Our services for the rehabilitation of this landmark property included financial feasibility assessments, full architectural and engineering services, assistance obtaining project funding, and complete general contracting services. Upon completion of the project and the issuance of Historic Tax Credits, Metropolitan placed the HTCs with our network of investors.
Architectural Drawings - Floors 2 and 3
Basement - Before Renovation
Interior Kitchen - After Renovation