Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Wright Building was constructed in 1906 as a retail shopping center. In 1919, construction began on the addition of the magnificent 18 story Gothic Revival structure now known as the Arcade which wraps around the original Wright building. Inside, the atrium was lined with storefronts facing out into the vaulted cathedral-like space and it extended the length of the building from the front to the back. The layout here was an early precursor to the modern shopping mall, the design of which was called an arcade. Altogether the new portion housed an additional 1000 commercial shops when completed. At the time of its completion, it was said to be the "highest concrete structure of its kind in the world".
At the height of its use (prior to a recent renovation) the building was home to a wide variety of businesses ranging from a printing press and Radio Station KATZ, to furniture and clothing stores and countless jewelry stores. Slowly, more modern competition would divert business elsewhere and towards the end of its active life the upper floors were deemed unfit for occupancy and subsequently condemned which left only the lower two stories open. Eventually even they were abandoned. It had been vacant for many years until sometime in 2006 when it was purchased by Pyramid construction company whose remodeling efforts were quickly thwarted by bankruptcy. In the process they managed to gut the top 10 or so stories. Luckily there was still plenty to see on the lower floors.
Today it sits, a marvel of classic 1900's Gothic architecture, awaiting a developer with deep pockets.
Click here for video of the Wright Arcade building.
UPDATE! The Wright Arcade building has been completely renovated and is now known as the Arcade Apartments
Click here for a current photo I took on a tour just before they re-opened the building to the public.
source: National Register of Historic Buildings, 2003.
Historic Photos of The Wright Arcade Building Saint Louis
End Historic Photos
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