Grand South Grand House Tour

Thank you so much for contributing your time, talent, homes, and energy to this year's GSG house tour! We are still calculating the final numbers, but attendance was well over 1000 people! Hopefully you are able to take a much deserved rest - thank you again and congratulations!

2006 Grand South Grand House Tour Blends Past and Present

The 2006 Grand South Grand House Tour on Saturday and Sunday April 22 and 23 will blend unique historical architecture with captivating personal stories from the five neighborhoods surrounding Tower Grove Park.

“Thousands of tour-goers have been viewing our homes and neighborhoods with intrigue about not only the architecture, but with a curiosity about who resides in and maintains our historical residences today,” says Angela Brock-Bokern, Grand South Grand House Tour co-chair, “Because the strength of a neighborhood comes from the people within, this year we wanted to include the stories of residents and businesses that make these communities so vibrant and liveable.” The stories and interviews are chronicled in the tour booklet as well as being compiled on the tour blog at www.gsght.blogspot.com.

Patrons of the 2006 Grand South Grand House Tour will have a chance to step back in history while touring the homes as well as enjoying other exciting event features. There will be opportunities to purchase local art, have a book signed by local authors, and perhaps nibble on samples from local restaurants!

The tour runs from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. both days. Tour-goers can park their cars near the ticket booth at 3134 South Grand Avenue and tour the homes by way of complimentary shuttles. Tickets are $16 if purchased the day of the tour. Advance tickets are $14 and can be purchased online at www.gsght.blogspot.com, at select locations, or over the phone by calling 314.773.4844. Email carajensen@sbcglobal.net for more information. Tickets are available at Gringo Jones Imports, Botanicals on the Park, and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the Garden Gate Gift Shop.

The proceeds from the 2006 Grand South Grand House Tour will be used to create unified street markers for the Grand South Grand business district. The 2005 tour provided a $5000 donation to the Grand Streetscapes Project as well as contributions to each of the five neighborhood associations. The Grand South Grand House Tour has been showcasing the historic and dynamic neighborhoods of Compton Heights, Compton Hill Reservoir Square, Shaw, Tower Grove East, and Tower Grove Heights, for thirteen years.

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Because a neighborhood's strength comes from the people who live within, the Grand South Grand House Tour committee is collecting stories of how you came to your neighborhood, what led you to choose your house, and what has compelled you to stay...

These stories will be used to promote the Grand South Grand neighborhoods as well as being published here for all to enjoy! Make sure to bookmark us and check back often to read what your neighbors are saying!

(Click here to share your story)

Thanks so much and see you on tour day - the GSG House Tour committee

Jay Frishman, president of Planet Grapefruit, is pleased to announce that an art event will accompany the Grand/South Grand Home Tour on on Saturday, April 22 from 11am -9 p.m. and Sunday, 11am-5pm, at floored, 3190 S. Grand, St. Louis MO 63118. One of the homes on the tour is located at this address as well.

The two day art event will feature signed original artwork and prints of the following artists:

- World-renowned artist Guy Aitchison
- St. Louis’ own published pen and ink artist Kathryn Conner and her meticulous eggs
- Award-winning photographer and designer Alan Copeland
- Photographer Robin Faraday
- Multi-media Artist Michele Wortman

Additional artists will be announced.

For additional information contact: Jay Frishman, President, Planet Grapefruit, www.planetgrapefruit.com, jfrishman@planetgrapefruit.com , 314-882-2633

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
We had been looking her for over 8 months. We heard about the "Fall for Shaw" event where all homes for sale were open in one day. We came down and had decided if we didn't find anything, we were looking in the county. The first house we walked into is the one we live in today.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
My neighborhood means so much to us. It allows are daughter to grow up in an area with diverse cultures and people. Our neighborhood has so many opportunities to be involved in making it better and you really get to know your neighbors. It showed us that City Living could be so gratifying. Also, you are close to so many St. Louis treasures.. Forest Park, MO Botanical Garden, and the City Museum.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Both are the same. We love living here because we have the best neighbors who look out for us. Our home is 100+ years old and it is so different than the "cookie cutter" subdivisions of the surrounding county.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I would like to see Crime at its lowest level ever. Not just because the efforts of law enforcement but also due in part to neighbors looking out for each other. I love the current mix of socio economic backgrounds and I hope that in 5 or 10 years we grow even stronger in that area.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I call my house the "Magic House" because it has a special charm for me. It was built in 1878 and is quite unique in every way. I particularly love the side yard with its large old trees, the wanton ivy that threatens to consume the front walk every summer, and the play of light that changes by the minute within the house from the skylight over the stairs and the tall windows that reach almost to the high ceiling. After retiring I looked in the city for two years for just the right place. With the help of neighborhood friends and some very good luck I found my dream home and have loved every day here since. My "Magic House" has history, mystery, and I sometimes think a soul of its own.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
My neighborhood has a rhythm of its own. Open friendly people jogging, walking their dogs, smiling and saying "Hi" as they walk by. I live across from an elementary school and there is the weekday surge of children coming and going. It is basically a quiet and serene area. I am close enough to neighbors to feel a sense of community but at the same time have space enough to enjoy my privacy.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
To both family and friends I would emphasize the delight of living so close to Tower Grove Park, the Missouri Botanical Gardens, and the great Grand South Grand area. I adore the variety of restaurants and little shops, charming and convenient. No boring "Big Boxes" here. In my neighborhood you have easy access to a diversity of people, activities, and scenery. It is a stimulating and enjoyable environment.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I would like to see more of the same. There is still an amazing amount of development going on here, both rehabbing and some new construction. My fondest hope for the future would be that this area continues to develop in the same direction it has already taken toward a great quality of life with a warm and diverse community of good neighbors.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I spent 2 years looking for a house in Shaw...I loved the neighborhood, but needed the right house. The one I found has tons of original woodwork, stained glass, mantels to die for, etc. I knew I had to have it while still standing in the foyer. And don't think it was done...I bought it and redid the kitchen and all bathrooms, etc...but it was and still is definitely mine.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
I love the location. I stay for that, the house and my favorite neighbors.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
I describe it to everyone, lovingly as the "upscale ghetto". The neighborhood has come a long way in the 3 years I've been here. I also refer to it as home.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
More retail and business shops in the neighborhood. Cleaner.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
It was a sunny day when I entered the house on Connecticut and saw the light blazing thru the stained glass window at the top of the landing of the magnificent stairway and knew the house would be mine.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
The neighbors care for there property by evidence of the rehab, planting etc that goes on continually. Centrally located to the shops on Grand and within walking distance to Tower Grove Park, who could ask for more.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Its a must see to appreciate.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I wouldn't change a thing, though I know some of the stores will be different.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I grew up in Shaw neighborhood and always dreamed of coming back. When my husband, a United Methodist Clergyman, retired he said that after tagging after him for 40 years, I got to choose where we settled--and we settled here. Since our son lived in Shaw, just up the street from the home we own, we had driven past it many times; always commenting on the ragged but still pretty garden out front, wishing someone would buy the empty house and love it.....then on april 1, 1999 we did. In the British Isles tradtion, our house is named---Ty Cydweli--"Kidwell's House" in the Welsh language of my husband's ancestors. Also, in the style of many hoes there, our house is "semi attached" to the one next door. to reach the back garden from the front, one descends a short flight of steps, through an iron gate, and along a walk under our house--then through another gate to the back garden. At the very back of the garden, behind the Lowes shed masquerading as a little Victorian garden house, is a tiny secret sanctuary garden replete with a fountain bubbling through shiny black rocks. We have spent many, many hour s stripping layers and layers of paint from beautiful oak and birds Eye Maple mill work--and developing our gardens. At the end of each day of hard work, this place became more and more an extension of us.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
We are native urbanites and for us Shaw represents all that is good about urban living: neighborliness, sidewalks, proximity to shopping, great parks a short walk away, diverse, interesting people. There is noting homogenous about living here! And we thrive on that.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Since one of my sons has lived in Shaw since 1986 and another lived here for two years, they understand why we love it without being told. To others we voice what I wrote about what the neighborhood means to us. For the few, and getting fewer, friends who fear and distrust city living we usually joke about wearing their bullet proof vests when they come to see us!

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
In five to ten years I would like to see all the corner stores and other remaining store fronts housing ecclectic businesses. I would like to see our two grade schools, Mullanphy and Sherman, the hub of neighborhood activity. I would like to see accessible housing for senior citizens I would like more vest pocket parks

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
My mom and dad moved here in 1952 - I was 12. There were a lot of fireplaces in the house and big trees up and down the streets. I got married and moved my bride in with the folks here in 1958. Since I was an adopted only child, I got the house when Mom passed away in 2001. We raised our children here and we're raising our newest grandchild here too. We like the big "roomy" rooms and high ceilings.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
When we first moved here, this was one of the prettiest neighborhoods to be in - it really is a historic neighborhood. We enjoy that the gardens and the churches have stabilized the neighborhood. It is easy to get around - the accessibility is great. Our 3 kids walked to school and those schools are still here standing. Our neighbors also make life good.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
For the most part, it has always been a fairly stable neighborhood. The fact that the garden is so close probably contributes to it.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
There was kind of a flight in the 60s - it's nice to see young professionals moving back in. I'd like to see the renovations continue and the neighborhood maintained. We need new streetlights like the ones on Grand ave - the old-fashioned kind that light up the entire sidewalk!

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
My wife had lived in Shaw in 1982-83 right out of college. When we made the decision to move back to St. Louis in 1987 following grad school, we settled on an apartment in Shaw. Sixteen months later we moved across the street to our house and have been there ever since. Instead of "location, location, location," we based our decision on "woodwork, wainscoting, staircase!" Our house is our home because of our kids. They love it, they have loved growing up in it, and they refuse to entertain the idea of living anywhere else. Who are the parents to argue? I figure that I've saved roughly 5 months of my waking life in avoided commute time over the past 19 years!

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
I stay because it's home, pure and simple. Shaw to me means beautiful parks within easy walking distance. It means easy access to the entire metro area. It means expanding, vibrant diversity within our community. It means (for the most part) friendly, helpful neighbors. And it means a short commute to work; more time to spend as I choose, every day. I expect to retire from the exact same home we live in today.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Better now than it's ever been. We still have the challenges of many urban neighborhoods, but we have made great gains in the past few years. I feel better than I ever have about our decision to stay when the kids reached school age.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
In five years: still a diverse housing stock, but with a higher proportion of owner occupied homes (not just of the single-family variety). Continued economic and ethnic diversity, coupled with continuing decreases in crime and noise. More families with school-age children. In 10 years: More of the same. If my kids come back to live in St. Louis, I hope that Shaw will be a place they want to raise their kids!

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I had 72 hours to find a house, as I had accepted a job offer in St. Louis and was living in Washington, DC at the time. While I had grown up in Missouri, I had spent very little time in the St. Louis area, and so didn't know the city at all. We lucked out in finding an amazing real estate agent (Stacey Gerber with Gladys Manion, unfortunately no longer in the area) who blocked off two days of her time to shepherd us around the neighborhoods of St. Louis. During that time, she got an excellent feel for our wants and needs, and we eventually settled on the Shaw neighborhood for its proximity to Tower Grove Park and the Botanical Garden, as well as the dog park and South Grand area. We saw over 20 houses in two days, and our current residence was the next-to-last one we visited--it was to go on the market the next day. Our property had two great features--it was a historic rehab done by Kraig Schnitzmeier (who does fantastic work), and it came with a full second lot adjacent to the house. This house is the first house that my wife and I have owned, and it instantly became our home. Within weeks, we had met many of our neighbors, most of whom were young couples moving back into the city. We are now good friends with most of them and do many things together.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
Our neighborhood has a sense of community that does not sacrifice diversity or ostracize those that are of differing views for the sake of cohesiveness or identity. We love the wide range of characters and experiences that make Shaw what it is. And of course, the proximity of Shaw to parks, hospitals, schools, highways and the South Grand area are all perks as well. In the end, though, the friends we have made (and continue to make) are the real reasons why we live in Shaw.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
We describe the neighborhood as "transitional, but on an upswing" to both family and friends. There are aspects of Shaw that are representative of the economic struggles facing St. Louis and most large cities in the US, but all the rehabbing and revitalization of the Shaw neighborhood has helped curtail many of these aspects. Still, when we have friends or family visit that aren't used to urban living, we do prepare them somewhat for the experience--more street noise, more diversity, and more risk than suburban living, to be sure.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I would like to see the neighborhood stabilize in the next 10 years, with an influx of cafes, bistros, and small businesses moving in to service the needs of residents locally. Think of it as a reduction in urban sprawl, so that most, if not all of a resident's chores can be accomplished on foot, rather than necessitating a drive to the suburbs. In addition, while I would like to see the rehabbing continue, there needs to be some thought given to addressing the needs of multi-family dwellings for lower-income individuals. And of course, the schools are perenially a problem; if they aren't brought up to reasonable standards, this could cause a stagnancy in the influx of younger couples to the city.