St Louis Commercial Real Estate For Sale, Thomas P.

Barnett’s Historic
Spanish Mission Art Deco Building of St. Louis

By: Mark Bradley©2008

In architecture, as in life, everything tells a story. Each building that you see in any city across
the nation tells its tale through the curve of its arches, the angularity of its windows, and the
texture of its materials. All of these elements were influenced by something or someone else.
Everything boils down to an original idea, one spark of imagination, that was carried through the
ages and is still translated into the buildings on your street corner.

When you pick one single building, you’ll get an epic tale. For the purposes of this report, we’ll
be taking an in-depth look at a building in St. Louis, designed by Thomas P. Barnett, and the
mysterious Spanish Mission Revival Style, with touches of Art Deco. The reason this building
was chosen is for the many stories that it tells; countless stories intersecting in the architecture of
one building. To study Thomas P. Barnett’s building on Washington Avenue in St. Louis, we’ll
hear the stories of St. Louis’ architectural history, the story behind the Spanish Revival style of
architecture, and the tale of the great history of Art Deco.

Our story begins with George Washington Smith; the father of Spanish Revival architecture.
George Washington Smith was born in Pennsylvania in 1876 on George Washington’s birthday.
He was the son of a famous Pennsylvania engineer, and studied painting at the Pennsylvania
academy of Fine Arts. He later made his way to Harvard University where he studied in
architecture.

Smith moved to California and designed and built his own home in Montecito, modeled after the
Spanish farmhouses he so admired in Andalusia. The house he built, known as Casa Dracaena
was beautifully successful, and images of the property were used as adds to sell certain kinds of
tile and cement for other building projects. His neighbors started to want to live in similar
buildings, and Smith became a full time architect to fulfill the demand. He became one of the
most famous architects in the United States.

Smith is credited as the father of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style. His original Montecito
home, as well as "Casa Del Greco", his second self-designed residences next door, built in 1920,
are still extant today as family residences.

The Spanish style is always in high demand in the United States, as seen across the nation in
other forms of Spanish style, like the Spanish mission style. Which brings us to the Spanish
Mission Deco style that was a style-fusion that happened in the 1920’s. T.P. Barnett’s Spanish
Deco building in St. Louis on the famous Washington Ave. is the best example.

Thanks to George Washington Smith, we come to the story of Thomas P. Barnett. Thomas P.
Barnett’s father was one of the most prominent architects in St. Louis, and Thomas went on to
carry the family flag with pride. When George I. Barnett died in 1898, his two sons George D.
and Thomas P. would go on to further contribute to the rich architectural history of St. Louis.
The boys would eventually come to create Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett with their brother in law
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John Haynes. All of them had trained with the elder Barnett, and all of them were imbued with
the same spirit, talent, and artistry.

Together, George Washington Smith and Thomas P. Barnett have changed the face of Spanish
Mission Revivalist architecture. These guys certainly weren’t practicing the more cosmetic
forms of Spanish revivalism, their buildings were head-to-toe authentic and intricate in their
construction, and their buildings are still thoroughly enjoyed today for their beauty and history.

George Washington Smith may have originated the Spanish Revival style, but T.P. Barnett was
responsible for the fusion of the Spanish and the Art Deco, two exceedingly popular styles in the
1920’s.

In the architectural world, just as in the worlds of food, clothing, and design, as styles come
together we have what’s called “fusion”. In fusion, often disparate elements come together to
create a cohesive union, and sometimes seemingly harmonious elements come together in a not
so harmonious way. In terms of architecture, a truly interesting blend happened in the beginning
of the 20th century, melding together the elements of Spanish Mission revival style with the hip
sleekness of Art Deco.

Art Deco buildings are known for their futuristic, sleek, dramatic, geometric flair. Cubes,
zigzags, and futuristic chic came together to express the growing machine age in the United
States. In the roaring twenties and early thirties, the jazzy Art Deco architecture was sweeping
the nation. The Art Deco style found its inspiration from many different sources. The austere
shapes and curves were taken from the Bauhaus School and the streamlined modern technology-
looking design was melded with images of icons from the Far East, Greece, Rome, Africa, India,
and Mayan and Aztec cultures. But above all these, Art Deco took inspiration from an
architectural discovery in Egypt.

In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter and his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, thrilled the world with
their discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Egypt-chic soon swept the nation and
influenced the design of clothes, jewelry, furniture and graphic design. And of course,
architecture.

Another style that was popping-up at the same time was the Spanish Mission Revival style, and
in California, these two disparate styles found a way to come together in harmony as Hollywood
actors were clamoring to get their homes built in the chic Spanish style. California isn’t the only
place to see the beautiful union of these two styles.

Hawke’s Bay has some tremendous Art Deco and Spanish Mission Walks. Hawke’s Bay is
located in Napier, New Zealand. Following a devastating earthquake in 1931, the whole
commercial heart of Napier was destroyed, but the city was about to be reborn in the newest
architectural style, and to become the hottest city. In Hawke’s Bay, you get to see all the styles
right next to each other: Spanish Classic, Spanish mission, and Art Deco, all side by side.

There are also places in the United States that show this great mixture of styles and
iconographies; and that’s our St. Louis building. The lovely Spanish Revival building in St.
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Louis, by the architect T.P. Barnett. The T.P. Barnett building is particularly interesting because
it also has Art Deco influences, making it one of the most unique buildings in the Grand Center
region of St. Louis. Certainly the next time you’re in St. Louis, you need to visit this Spanish
Revival building on Washington Avenue.

To get a better sense of where George Washington Smith and T.P. Barnett received their
inspiration for the Spanish style, we take a journey all the way back to the California mission
district in the 1700’s; where it all began.

The architecture of the California missions is world-renowned, and the style is not simply
relegated to California. Other states, including Missouri where P.T. Barnett built his Spanish
Mission style Art Deco building, have adopted the style and expanded it into other areas.

Several factors influenced the Spanish mission style. Not only the Spanish architecture of the
homeland, but the European Christian missions, California building materials, and native
American/Mexican American influences. In California, there was a shortage of skilled labor, but
the founding priests still desired to build missions reminiscent of their homeland. No two
missions are identical in California, but they were all built on the same concept.

The Spanish mission style became de rigueur in the 1920’s and 30’s in California, and then
spread to the rest of the world, utilizing some of the same materials and design elements to create
homes, civic centers and office buildings. Los Angeles is a great example of this style as it was
infused into utilitarian public architecture, but also across the nation. Some of the most beautiful
homes and buildings in America show influence from this style.

The first missions in California were considered temporary buildings by the Spanish hierarchy,
but the priests who contracted the building were in no way hoping to build temporary
establishments. The “padres” hoped to build these missions with all the love and decoration that
they deemed necessary for their Christian task.

In California today, school children are still assigned the task of building their own Spanish
mission using sugar cubes, or the more modern method of buying a Spanish mission kit at the
local craft store. Why do they do this? Because the Spanish mission style offers a great lesson
in simple, historic design. The architectural style itself is a great fusion of Spanish, American,
and Mexican history.

Missions were built on sites that had good natural water supply, good wood for fires, and plenty
of land for the animals to graze. The site was blessed by Padres, and then the building began,
and there was born an architectural style that continues to influence architects today.
Construction began with the church, the most important building in the Spanish Mission
complex. The sanctuaries took advantage of the east-west axis so that natural light infused the
interior; a concept still utilized today in the Spanish mission style of architecture.

One of the trademarks of Spanish mission style is elaborate detail and intricate design patterns.
Structures found in Arizona, Texas, and Mexico are still built in this fashionable style. But there
are also Spanish missions that are a bit simpler in design.
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This Spanish mission style expanded to influence the design of a number of buildings in
California, as well as across the nation. I already mentioned the P.T. Barnett Mission-Style Art
Deco building in St. Louis, and that provides a great example of many styles colliding and
forming into one unique, gorgeous style of architecture that is all its own. That building was
built in the 1920’s, when architects began to take elements of the past and combine them with
elements from their time that were all the rage.

The Spanish Mission Style of Architecture served functional and aesthetic purposes when it was
first produced in California. “Padres” or priests from Spain came to the coastline of California to
build their missions and convert the natives, and the style of the missions was a reflection of the
great cultural soup that was being prepared. Native Californians used their skill, priests used
their design aesthetic from the old country, and the raw materials of their work would come from
the natural products off the coast of California.

The materials that would eventually build the Spanish missions would later be used and emulated
for the Spanish mission style of architecture that later became popular in California and
elsewhere in the US. Buildings throughout Los Angeles tried to emulate this style as it became
more fashionable, and even in other places across the nation, like in St. Louis, Missouri where
T.P. Barnett’s Spanish Mission Style Deco building still stands. The Barnett building was a
fusion building of Spanish and Art Deco that became incredibly popular in the 1920’s, and today
holds true to its beauty and grace.

When Padres were trying to get their missions built in California, they had a lot of difficulties to
say the very least. There was a scarcity of imported materials as well as a shortage of skilled
labor, so they had to use simple building materials and easy methods of construction to get the
job done. They gathered material and workforce from the surrounding lands.

The 5 most important materials they used were adobe, timber, stone, brick and tile, which are all
the staples of the style today. Adobe was a very innovative material made from earth and water,
chaff, straw and manure. These were mud bricks, and they were very useful in this region of the
US. The method was originated in Spain and Mexico, so workers were easily able to assemble
the bricks that would make up the missions.

Level ground was found, and the workers would put the mud mixture into brick molds, and
arrange them in rows to be leveled by hand to the top of the mold’s frame. Today, these bricks
still have hand and fingerprints, reminiscent of the people who once worked long hours. Some
people even inscribed names and dates on the bricks. California adobe was fairly easy to make
and handle, and lightweight for easy carrying.

The Spanish Missions and the later Spanish mission style that would be replicated get their look
from the sort of “man-made” authentic quality. There was no existent lumber, so workers used
stone axes and crude saws to shape the wood. The missions had a very distinct appearance
thanks to these crude methods, and later this appearance was greatly sought after, and people
would pay a high price for it.

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The Spanish Mission style came to be associated with luxury, ironically enough, and today we
see that style for all its elegance, simplicity, and style. Going back to the T.P. Barnett building in
St. Louis, all the elegance and refinement of the Spanish mission style’s potential is quite clear.

Over 2,000 years ago before the famous Mission District of California first arose, the Ohlone
Indians inhabited the region. In the late 18th century, Spanish missionaries arrived there and
encountered the peaceful Ohlone and their hunter gatherer village. And that’s where the first
mission, Mission San Francisco de Asis was founded in 1776. Thus begins a legacy of
California missions, and an architectural style that would not only proliferate throughout
California but travel across the nation.

The Spanish mission style of architecture became incredibly popular after the turn of the century,
especially with the fusion of Art Deco in the 20’s. T.P. Barnett’s Spanish art deco building in St.
Louis provides a great example. On historic Washington Ave. is where the building sits, and it
tells a tale that dates all the way back to the Ohlone in 1776.

Ohlone became labor for the missions, a cruel reality and a very sad end to a peaceful people, but
also marked the beginnings of the west coast of America. Mexican and Spanish ranches also
came to populate the area, as more and more Indians fled the region.

However, today these missions are great cultural districts for the Hispanic population, and an
oasis of Hispanic artists and hipsters. The Chicano and Latino community find their roots here in
the mission district, expressed in the architecture and surroundings. These regions are largely
bilingual, and the mission district is also a great tourist destination.

It’s no wonder the missions of California continue to draw the kind of tourist attraction they do.
And, it’s no wonder that school children in California are still assigned the “mission project” in
their schools, were they are asked to build their own miniature missions out of their own
materials, after studying the architecture of the missions and the basic building style and history.
It’s because the Spanish mission style of architecture is iconic in a way.

The Spanish mission style of architecture symbolized the bringing-in of a new era in American
history. It’s about the past and the present colliding to form a rich future from bare materials and
a dream. These missions were about converting people to Spanish Christianity, and in their
efforts they managed to end a great culture of Native Americans, and usher-in a newer, equally
rich culture of Hispanic Americans.

People today all throughout California and the United States love to commission buildings in the
Spanish mission style. The architecture in California is highly prized by Hispanic Americans and
non-Hispanic Californians. It speaks of an American colonialism that no longer exists but in the
beauty of the still-standing walls and arches. These are some of the oldest historical buildings in
the United States, and people treasure them for that.

The United States is a fairly new country, all things considered, and the Spanish mission style of
architecture is truly an American innovation. That’s why we recognize it and love it in the
architectural designs throughout the nation.
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Going back to the T.P. Barnett building in St. Louis, you can see how the style has a very
American, west-coast feel to it. It’s reminiscent of a time when America had an open, rich
frontier, with new discoveries on the horizon.

The Mission San Gabriel in California provides a great example of a wonderful mission in
California that continues to inspire enthusiasts of the Spanish revival style of architecture.
People theorize that the Paleo-Indians entered America via Asia on the land bridge called
Beringia. This probably took place 15,000 to 35,000 years ago. Traces of these early Indians are
found on Santa Rosa Island, things like the Arlington Springs Man, shows habitation in
California dating back to the Ice Age. Some people even say that the first humans made their
homes on the southern valley of California. When the Europeans came to the west coast of
America in the 1700’s, everything was about to change.

Wasn’t that a deep trip into history? Well, back to the task at hand. Mission San Gabriel was
founded in September of 1771, on its planned site on the fertile plain along the Rio Hondo, today
known as Montebello, California. The Mission was ruined by a flood in 1776, and was rebuilt 5
miles away in what today is known as San Gabriel. From Mission San Gabriel, the pueblo was
sent and eventually founded Los Angeles.

Damage occurred on the outer architecture of the mission during the 1812 earthquakes that shook
the entire foundation of California. The three-bell campanario, located near the chapel’s east
façade, fully collapsed and was destroyed. The bigger 6-bell structure was then moved to
compensate for the ruptured campanario. While no pictorial record exists to document what the
original structure looked like, architectural historian Rexford Newcomb deduced the design and
published a depiction in his 1916 work The Franciscan Mission Architecture of Alta California.

Why do we discuss all this, and how does it apply to our understanding of the Spanish Revival
style of architecture? Well, the history of Mission San Gabriel makes it clear that the missions of
California have weathered a lot of storms, and some are only mere copies of what they once
were. This makes an interesting point because it shows that in many ways the missions
themselves are copies of what they once were, and the Revival style is merely a copy of a copy.
Even though we know this, it doesn’t dampen our fascination with this style. People still today
in California and all over the nation are using the architectural vocabulary of this style to build
their homes and civic establishments.

So how does the Mission Style end up in St. Louis, you might be asking? The answer is quite
simple: St. Louis has some of the most extraordinary and diverse architecture in the United
States, and being west of the Mississippi, it’s no wonder that T.P. Barnett was influenced by the
Spanish Revival Style.

And on that note, our journey takes us to the architecture of St. Louis. There are tons of amazing
sites to see and things to do in St. Louis, and one of the most exciting things to do with your
whole family or on your own is to see the stunning architecture of St. Louis. There are some fun
architecture tours, or you can take a tour that is a huge favorite in the city: The Historic House
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Museums of St. Louis. Visit one of the old homes, or take your own tour of many in one day.
They’re quite a sight to see!

“Spare the old house! The ancient mansion spare

For ages still to front the market square: --
That may be shown,
How those old walls of good St. Louis rock,
In native strength, shall bear against the shock
Of centuries! There shall the curious see,
When like a fable star shall our story be,
How the Star City of the West has grown!
Touch not a stone!”

This poem by Matthew Field was meant to honor the stone house built in 1764 for Pierre
Laclede, the founder of St. Louis, and his family. Sadly, this building did not survive the
currents of history and was demolished in 1841 to build a commercial building. What a great
tragedy for the history of St. Louis and its architectural enthusiasts!

The good news is that the demolition of this gorgeous house sparked the preservation of many
others in St. Louis, along with plenty of other historic buildings that mark periods in St. Louis’
great history. Today, you can find 6 house museums open for public tours, generously funded by
local businesses, individuals, and institutions in St. Louis.

The Roswell M. & Eugene Field House at 634 S. Broadway was built in 1845 as an investment
for Edward Walsh, and then leased to the St. Louis attorney Roswell Martin Field. The building
was saved thanks to Walsh’s popularity and today is a delightful museum displaying some rare
facts of St. Louis’ history.

The Chatillon-DeMenil House was built in 1848 and resides at 3352 DeMenil Place. It’s a lovely
example of early St. Louis culture; built in the traditional Creole style, the house stands today
thanks to efforts to keep it from being razed to build an interstate 55. The Landmarks
Association of St. Louis offered major restorations, and now it’s a great museum and spot of St.
Louis culture.

The Tower Grave House was built in 1849 by George I. Barnett and sits at 4344 Shaw. It was
commissioned by Henry Shaw and has a lovely, bucolic setting that is truly stunning and now
open to the public. Shaw was the mastermind behind the Botanical Garden and Tower Grove
Park, and their creation consumed the last 30 years of his life, making him one of the great
contributors to St. Louis’ history.

There are countless buildings in St. Louis that are worth a good long weekend of touring through
the city, but to narrow it down for you, there’s a top 5 list of the notorious St. Louis favorites. Be
sure to keep your eyes peeled for these edifices the next time you’re in that crazy town known as
St. Louis!

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The Gateway Arch is a structure in downtown Riverfront in St. Louis is probably the most iconic
and recognizable structure in St. Louis. Architect Eero Saarinen & Associates were responsible
for building the structure in 1965, and it still has a great tourist draw today. The people of St.
Louis have a lot of pride for this structure, and when you visit it, you’ll know why.

The Old Cathedral, built by Joseph C. Laveille and George Morton is the oldest cathedral west of
the Mississippi, and stands on privately owned land in the Memorial expansion area. The site
was reserved for church construction in 1764, but the current cathedral is the fourth church to be
built on the site. If only they could make up their minds already!

The Old Courthouse is located on Broadway and Chestnut, as well as Market and 4th street, this
great old courthouse takes up an entire block of St. Louis. Architects Henry Singleton, Robert S.
Mitchell, and William Rumbold take the credit for this one. This great building is a precursor to
the dome found on the US capital building in Washington during the Civil War. The Dred Scott
case was heard here, the verdict of which was a catalyst to the Civic War in the US.

The famous Wainwright Building is located at 709 Chestnut Street. Architects Adler & Sullivan
are the masterminds, with renovations by others. The Wainwright Building is known as the first
American skyscraper, which puts it in the book of legends in American architecture. Frank
Lloyd Wright once said, “The Wainwright is a monument to the first perception of the tall
building as a harmonious unit - its height triumphant." The building was purchased by the state
of Missouri in 1981, and unfortunately the building is no longer open to the public, except the
lobby. But luckily, you can still see the façade from outside.

The Old Post Office takes up Olive, Locust, Eights and Ninth Streets, and the architecture is by
Alfred B. Mullet, with restorations by others. It was originally built to be a federal court and
customs house, but now seems fortress-like due to the stunning granite facing. Today the OPO
has a nice restaurant, library, as well as some corporations.

These are 5 exceptional buildings in St. Louis, but if you’re like me and enjoy the local color as
well, Thomas P. Barnett’s great Spanish Mission style art deco building is definitely a highlight
at 3207 Washington Ave.

Perhaps you’ve already been to the top 5 buildings in St. Louis, like the Arch, the Old Post
Office, and the Old Courthouse. Well you aren’t done yet, because there are 5 more stunning
buildings in St. Louis that you have to see to believe.

The Milles Fountain is located on 20th street between Market and Chestnut, the Milles Fountain
is a sight that you simply can’t miss when you’re in St. Louis. The sculptor of this wonderful
fountain is Carl Milles, and it was constructed in 1949. This delightful fountain sculpture sits
across from Union Station, and is symbolic of the Mississippi reaching out to the Missouri.

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Multitudes of bronze figures cavort in happy bliss inside the waters, and people like to hang
around the stunning fountain during the day.

If you’re already at the fountain, it’s an easy step across the way to St. Louis’ Union Station,
located on Market Street between 18th and 20th streets. The architect on the Station was Theodore
Link, and it was built in 1894. It is done in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, with touches
of French Renaissance.

The Wainwright Tomb in Bellefontaine Cemetery is located at 4947 W. Florissant Blvd, architect
Louis Sullivan was the architect of this stunning tomb, sitting within the historic Bellefontaine
Cemetery. Sullivan also completed the downtown Wainwright building, and the tomb was
commissioned by Ellis Wainwright, for his young wife. It’s known as the Taj Mahal of the
cemetery.

The St. Louis Public Library is located on Olive Street between 13 and 14th streets. Architect
Cass Gilbert designed the Supreme Court building in Washington, and the building stands as a
perfect example of the academic tradition of Paris.

Of course, a study of the architecture of St. Louis cannot be completed without an account of the
architecture at St. Louis University.

Saint Louis University, also known as SLU, is a private, co-ed Jesuit university in St. Louis,
Missouri. The Society of Jesus founded St. Louis University in 1818, and that makes SLU the
oldest university west of the Mississippi river. Founding a University west of the Mississippi in
1818 was a huge accomplishment, considering how the US was still primarily an east coast
nation at this time. The Association of Jesuit Colleges and universities made SLU one of its 28
members, and then was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary
Schools.

These are basically all the dry facts, but St. Louis University is anything but dry when you take
into account its stunning architecture and wonderful athletic teams. Currently 12,309 students
are enrolled at SLU, and they come from all 50 states and more than 80 foreign countries,
meaning that St. Louis University is the 4th biggest Jesuit University in the US. The university
provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and the undergraduate program is
ranked 80th in the US.

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Let’s get to one of my favorite aspects of St. Louis University: the architecture and surrounding
neighborhoods! There is some truly unique and beautiful architecture on the SLU campus, and
some of the surrounding towns offer great entertainment, food and fun, not just for students, but
for the residents as well.

When you take a stroll through St. Louis University, you’ll often stumble across a number of
interesting and smartly-designed buildings; many of them with their own unique history. Two
stand out in my mind as being exceptionally beautiful; with a long and interesting history that
will last for ages to come.

The Historic Samuel Cupples House is a St. Louis landmark……well, not officially. The
Cupples House is far and away the most beautiful mansion on the St. Louis University campus,
and if you get the chance to spend an evening on its historic patio, drinking from a fine selection
of wines by the glass, you’ll be a more enriched person for it!

The Cupples House is a Romanesque Revival building from the late-nineteenth century. The
Romanesque style is quite interesting; refuting the more intricate and complicated style of
Victorian architecture, with its winding turns, great arches, and flashy design. The Cupples
House, on the contrary, is built in the style of stability, strength, and simplicity.

Venture-off through St. Louis to see a great variety of styles and masterpieces of architecture in
the 19th and 20th century styles. You may find something that surprises you, like Art Deco
buildings that stimulate the imagination, and even old Spanish Mission Deco buildings like the
one found in Grand Center, St. Louis, designed by P.T. Barnett. With its rich Spanish style and
unique feel, this building always turns heads.

Of course, one of the most unique and fascinating parts of the great city of St. Louis, Missouri is
the wonderful variety of its neighborhoods, and how they have survived the ages. People have
written a great deal of the history of the neighborhoods in St. Louis, and plenty of photographic
accounts remain in-tact, but the Community Development Agency has taken a full account of
each neighborhood and its exciting history in detail. When you get a chance, I suggest you read
the full history by Norbury Wayman in the 1970’s.

I’m not going to explain each one here, but I will make the point that the 27 historical
neighborhoods in St. Louis make the city one of the most historically and architecturally exciting
cities in the United States. These 27 neighborhoods get their distinction due to their
geographical location, ethnic makeup, and style of architecture. Main thoroughfares are
considered the boundaries from one neighborhood to the next.

Not only do the neighborhoods of St. Louis clearly demonstrate St. Louis’ diversity and
exceptional historical and architectural interest, but the people of St. Louis are incredibly
enthusiastic about this history and the background of their own neighborhood. This is the best
way to preserve history: with enthusiasm! It’s no wonder that so many historical and beautiful
buildings still are maintained.

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For me, one of the most exciting neighborhoods in St. Louis is Grand Center. Grand Center, like
the other neighborhoods in St. Louis, has its own rich and exciting history. Grand Center Inc.
was established in 1987 to overlook the revival of Grand Center, and the arts, entertainment, and
education district truly came to life. With the years some tremendous improvements were made
to the infrastructure, improving the lighting, sidewalks, and parking facilities. Buildings were
restored and 25 arts and education organizations became the mainstay of Grand Center. It’s no
wonder that today Grand Center is the 12th largest attraction of St. Louis.

Today Grand Center is a fantastic place for personal and private investment, and continues to
grow with each passing year. The educational and artistic achievements include great
architecture, with buildings of various styles and types. And of course, Thomas P. Barnett’s great
Spanish Mission style art deco building is definitely a highlight at 3207 Washington Ave.

Grand Center is a tremendous part of St. Louis, and surely the next time you visit the city you
should make your way over to the place that everyone is talking about. Let’s look at a brief
historical overview of Grand Center, to better understand where it’s been, and where it’s going.

Just before the turn of the 20th century, the population of St. Louis began to move more westward
toward the Mississippi River, and that part of St. Louis today is known as Grand Center. Also
today, St. Louis University sits midtown adjacent to Grand Center. All along the Grand Blvd.
you will find amazing old mansions built in the traditional style. Grand Center sprang to life with
hospitals, pharmacies, shops, and churches; so many churches, in fact, that it would eventually
become known as Piety Hill.

In the first two decades of the 20th century, Grand Center became a hot spot for theater and
vaudeville as many homeowners flocked west to this brand new community in St. Louis.
Unfortunately, many of the original mansions were destroyed and construction of offices and
theater took place. Many of the theaters include the Odeon (1904), the Princess (1912), the
Victoria (1913), the Grand Central (1913), and the Empress (1913).

Starting after the 1920’s the Center began to thrive even more, despite the ravages of the Great
Depression and World War II. Not only does the theater thrive, but Grand Central became a
transportation hub as a major stop on streetcar and bus routes. Great movie palaces also sprung
up in the 20’s and this brought even more commerce to Grand Center. Great movie palaces
included the Missouri Theater (1921), the St. Louis Theater (1926), and the Fox Theater (1929)

After 1950, and straight through 1980, Grand Center saw a surprising decline. As the urban
population began to decline, people began to move out of urban places like Grand Center.
People began to go to the theater and movies less frequently, and many of these theaters were
eventually torn-down or turned into different venues.

It wasn’t until 1980 that Grand Center saw its much anticipated revival. It was when Grand
Center was classified as a National Historic District that funding was acquired and the
beautifully renovated Fox Theater was reopened for business. The Sheldon Concert Hall
reopened as well.

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Grand Center Inc. was established in 1987 to overlook the revival of Grand Center, and the arts,
entertainment, and education district truly came to life. With the years some tremendous
improvements were made to the infrastructure, improving the lighting, sidewalks, and parking
facilities. Buildings were restored and 25 arts and education organizations became the mainstay
of Grand Center. It’s no wonder that today Grand Center is the 12th largest attraction of St.
Louis.

Today Grand Center is a fantastic place for personal and private investment, and continues to
grow with each passing year. The educational and artistic achievements include great
architecture, with buildings of various styles and types. Thomas P. Barnett’s great Spanish
Mission style art deco building is definitely a highlight at 3207 Washington Ave.

No study of the architecture of St. Louis could be complete without a look at the architecture of
the homes in the St. Louis Hills.

Prospective buyers are always looking in the hills of St. Louis to find their dream home, and for
good reason. The St. Louis Hills are covered with attractive parks, beautiful landscapes, large
lawns, and particularly for the architecture of the homes. The architecture on St. Louis’ Hills is
not only historic, but incredibly warm, beautiful, and livable. These are said to be “gingerbread
bungalows” in some parts, and in other parts are described as sprawling mansions, constructed in
rouge brick and cone-shaped stone roofs. Truly, the most prominent architectural style in the
hills is variety, which is why prospective homebuyers love this area. The greatest contrast can be
found along the north and south sides of Eichelberger Street, which is the dividing line between
St. Louis Hills and St. Louis Hills Estates.

If you’re up north of Eichelberger, you’re going to run into houses, duplexes, apartments, and
many 1930’s/40’s Art Deco inspired designs. These homes are marked by their hardwood floors,
stained glass, intricate stone work, glass, circular windows, and luscious brick patterns.

You can move from the Art Deco inspirations to the Hansel and Gretel Bungalows on the 6300
block of Bancroft Avenue. These buildings are so charming and well-maintained, that’s its
almost fun just to live across from them, let-alone inside of one. All of these were built in the
1930’s and also have a number of Art Deco features. Then on Nottingham Avenue, near Francis
Park, you’ll find some architectural landmarks, like the Vedder apartment building. This
building is ripe with Art Deco adornments, and all of its six units are lavish penthouses! Not bad
for the hills of St. Louis, if I do say so myself.

Other homes and apartments that surround Francis Park are indicative of the rest of the
neighborhood. On the eastern and western side of the park you’ll find charming and
distinguished 1.5 and 2 story homes like those you’ll find on Tamm and Donovan Avenues. No
two houses are alike here, and all are greatly influenced by the minds and imaginations of the
people who originally built them.

If you’re looking for more suburban-style homes, the St. Louis Hills Estates are going to suit
your tastes. Big ranches and medium sized homes sit on enough land for building in-ground
pools and having spacious laws and back patios. Most of these homes have added two-car
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garages, and other typical perks of a suburban home. This area is so great for raising a family, or
just getting the most possible breathing space to live your life.

If you’re looking for something even a bit more stylish and interesting, today Grand Center is a
fantastic place for personal and private investment, and continues to grow with each passing
year. The educational and artistic achievements include great architecture, with buildings of
various styles and types; which brings us to a discussion of Washington Avenue itself.

Washington Avenue is a great historic avenue in St. Louis, boasting of some terrific attractions
and sights. At the turn of the 20th century, Washington Avenue was a wonderful canyon of rich
brick buildings of unparalleled architectural beauty where shoes, clothing, and fashion
manufacturers practiced their trade. This was a booming time for these manufacturers, and their
goods were in high demand as St. Louis and the nation were expanding and prospering at an
unrivaled speed.

The sidewalks of Washington Avenue were the picture of a booming metropolis where people
strolled along in their stunning turn of the century hats and parasols and bustles, window
shopping for the smart and innovative goods of the day. This was the home of the famous
garment district that always garners attention in any city. A growing printing industry was also
beginning to blossom at this time. All in all, Washington Avenue was quickly becoming a hot
spot in St. Louis.

These days, Washington Avenue is transformed into a whole new phenomenon, being reinvented
as a terrific neighborhood of residential lofts, galleries, nightclubs and various attractions that are
attractive to a great demographic of youth and families. It’s quickly becoming a St. Louis hot
spot with wonderful architecture and commerce.

Just as a great boom happened on Washington Avenue at the turn of the 20th century, the second
boom began at the turn of the 21st century. Plans were set in motion following the Washington
Avenue Streetscape Project. Funding was provided in the form of $4 million from the U.S. Dept.
of Housing and Urban Development, and $13 million from the Missouri Dept. of Transportation
enhancement program.

The new design plan came complete with great lighting, a plaza, trees, and wider sidewalks all
along Washington Avenue from Tucker to 18th Street. Washington Avenue, thanks to these
innovations, has become a great place to shop and meet with friends. Retailers and restaurants
have noticed a wonderful rise in income as people are more often hanging out here.

New businesses are looking to buy shop space in this area of St. Louis, seeing the great potential
for income and expansion of their businesses. People enjoy the updated streets and fun
architecture that beckons back to another time in St. Louis history. Take for example old
buildings like P.T. Barnett’s Spanish mission style building on 3207 Washington Ave. That’s just
another great model for places in St. Louis where the old perfectly intertwines with the new,
creating fresh ideas for business and expansion.

The moral of the story is: the time to live and work on Washington Avenue is now! Families,
businesses, and individuals are all seeing the great potential in this part of St. Louis, and you
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should do the same. If you have a small business, or are just looking for the next hip place to
live in St. Louis, check out Washington Ave.

There are a number of famous architects that shared in the building of the United States’ rich
architectural history. People are continually fascinated by the diversity of US architecture for its
great variety, history, and richness. There are plenty of architects that have contributed to the
multiplicity of styles and materials, and each different style and material seems to tell a different
tale of where the US has been and where it’s going.

Part of this tale told by the buildings of the US simultaneously tells the tale of the ages. Its trials
and tribulations, decades of ups and downs are told with every brick and stone of the US, and
when you take a trip down some famous city streets, like St. Louis, you too can experience this
history first-hand.

But now, a cautionary tale:

After this happy account of the neighborhoods of St. Louis, and enthusiasm that people have for
their history, we need to face the dark reality of St. Louis’ architecture: some beautiful buildings
are crumbling to the ground. It isn’t just the tiny house here or there, but some buildings of
historical significance are showing signs of neglect. Hopefully, this will be a call to action.

The Clemens House provides an example of a building in danger, as does the City Hospital.
Thankfully, these are buildings that are in the process of rehabilitation; however others aren’t
receiving the same care. I’m sure you’re familiar with the beautiful buildings that lie in
downtown St. Louis: the Chemical Building, the Railway Exchange, the Frisco Building, 705
Olive (formerly the Union Trust Building), the American Theater, the Mark Twain Hotel, just to
name a few. So why is it a ghost town here? Owners of these buildings have very different ideas
about how these buildings will eventually serve the community; probably as parking lots.

But before you get too discouraged, we’re just talking about downtown St. Louis, and not the
gorgeous and varied surrounding neighborhoods. If you’ve ever traveled to Los Angeles, you
will see that downtown Los Angeles is also a ghost town of neglected art deco building and
towering office structures. The life and spirit of downtown is not in-tact, because the owners of
these historic buildings lack imagination and care. Then look at the surrounding neighborhoods
of Los Angeles, and you’ll see some of the most lively and gorgeous buildings and styles; like a
patch-work quilt of variety. St. Louis has a lot in common with Los Angeles in this regard.

But like Los Angeles, we need to take our attention off the decay of downtown and focus on the
beauty in the neighborhoods. As I already mentioned, I absolutely love Grand Center and
Washington Ave.

And here our story ends. But Thomas P. Barnett’s Spanish Revival Art Deco Building resides
today in full health on Washington Avenue in the Grand Center district of St. Louis. The
building provides an example of an incredibly unique mix of styles and histories. Its origins are
traced back the Padres of California in the 1700’s, and the sleek Art Deco age of the 1920’s.

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Characters like George Washington Smith and George Barnett play into this story, as do the
Native Americans of California, and the people on the bustling streets of St. Louis.

Although not a museum, another great St Louis Commercial Building and architectural landmark
was by George I. Barnett’s son Thomas P. Barnett, located at 3207 Washington Ave. This
stunning 1920’s Spanish Mission Style Art Deco building sits on the increasingly popular
Washington Avenue, and makes a tremendous sight for the architectural enthusiast.

This St Louis commercial real estate building is a vintage 1920’s office building built Art Deco
Spanish Mission Style by famous architect T. P. Barnett. You get 23,000 square feet of unique
space for you to create your most stunning design. Set yourself apart from the competition with
this unique space and connect your business with the rich history of St. Louis.

A savvy business operator could position their business to take advantage of the 2 plus Million

visitors to SLU and Grand Center each year.

A serious buyer could take advantage of the current Real Estate Market. Go to

http://www.3207washington.com/ To view this exciting property.

To find out more about the rich history of Thomas P. Barnett go to his blog at:
http://www.thomaspbarnetthistoricbuilding.com/ Get the latest breaking news on the St Louis
Commercial Real estate market log on to: http://www.stlouiscommercialrealestateforsale.com/
And more in St Louis Commercial buildings at: http://www.stlouiscommercialbuildings.com/
and http://www.historicpropertiesstlouis.com/

For more detailed pictures and drawing of the building go to www.3207washington.com

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