Crews are busy rehabilitating an architectural relic in downtown St. Louis. The Jefferson Arms Building has been vacant since 2006. Dallas-based Alterra Worldwide has been working to renovate the building in recent years and now say they are nearing the end of construction
"If everything goes well, then there will be springtime opening" says Design Coordinator Sofia Sarimsakci.
On a guided tour of the historic structure, Sarimsakci shared in detail the plans Alterra has.
"It is going to be an A.C. Marriott Hotel with 225 rooms and 235 luxury residences." Sarimsakci said.
A callback to its original purpose, the hotel will also feature retail offerings, such as a woman's and men's tailor, a barber shop, fine and casual dining options, and a spa in the basement of the building.
"I think that is our main goal to bring the community of St. Louis together in all our different spaces." Sarimsakci added, "We know the community is there, but we want to build something that engages with them and invites them in."
To better understand the significance of these renovations, it's important to also look back. The building situated on the corner of Tucker and Locust was also the gathering place for some significant moments in St. Louis and American history.
"The hotel originally opened in 1904. It was built to satisfy a need for the increased number of visitors coming to Saint Louis for the World's Fair." Historian Chris Naffziger said, also pointing out the significance of the architecture firm responsible for designing the building.
"The Hotel Jefferson was designed by the firm of Barnett Haynes and Barnett, which was one of the most famous and one of the most prestigious architectural firms in Saint Louis." said Naffziger.
The firm is always famously known for designing the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Two of the men with the firm were the sons of George Ingham Barnett, whose work includes the renovation of the Old Courthouse and the Missouri Governor's Mansion.
"This space is so culturally rich and has its own personality." Sarimsakci said, pointing to the crown moldings in the soon-to-be renovated main entrance. "When you walk in here, you're just in awe of the craftsmanship and the time and the effort that it took to do all these beautiful details."
It's an ode to craftsmanship that will live on in the next iteration of the Hotel Jefferson. Crews are busy rehabilitating the historic crown moldings inside the building, a process that requires strong handiwork and approval from the National Register of Historic Places. Alterra works with the local office to ensure the historically significant parts of the building are restored.
History and time have left its mark on the Jefferson Arms. Since shuttering in 2006, financing and lack of upkeep has threatened the future of the building. Alterra took on the project in 2016, but has had delays along the way. Right now, the developers say construction is 70% complete, eyeing a Summer 2025 opening.
The Jefferson Arms Building is a testament to early 20th century architecture, a structure built to last. As renovation continues, the question remains : what will the future bring?
Naffziger says he hopes the hotel's future is both profitable and restorative. The city of St. Louis has had many proposals to make the streets of downtown safer for pedestrians. Trailnet has plans for urban redevelopment that would improve Tucker Boulevard.
"The hotel Jefferson being renovated at this same time as the city of St. Louis is going to be changing Tucker to become this better street. I think that is a really great coincidence." Naffziger said.
Trailnet's Tucker Bike-Walk-Bus improvement project has been in the works for a few years, and construction should be starting soon.
Here's a statement shared with 5 on your Side about the project :
"It is Trailnet's understanding the project is fully funded, likely through a mixture of federal and city funding. We believe the RFP has been issued, with construction expected to begin in early 2025. Trailnet appreciates the potential benefits this project may have on the many pedestrians and cyclists that use the area daily, or come to one of the many office buildings on or near Tucker. We also hope the newly enacted Complete Streets ordinance plays a huge role in guiding this project to be of safe and supportive benefit for all users."
Naffziger also thinks the building itself could also be a place of economic growth.
"People travel to Florence, Italy to see buildings that are 500 years old and they spend a lot of money while they're there. I think Saint Louis can generate a lot of economic activity off of their historic buildings" Naffziger said.