Help Us Stop the Demolition of the DeVille Motor Hotel
The DeVille Motor Hotel, most recently known as the |
June 18, 2009
Landmarks has been working to preserve the San Luis Apartments, formerly the DeVille Motor Hotel, which the Archdiocese of St. Louis plans to demolish for a surface parking lot. Completed in 1963, the San Luis is the work of renowned New Orleans modernist Charles Colbert. Rising over the corner of Lindell Boulevard and Taylor Avenue, the building is a vital component of Lindell's high-rise streetscape and a key feature of its unique collection of mid-century modern structures.
The Archdiocese's plans are up for preliminary review by the city's Preservation Board this Monday, June 22nd. Please help us in our efforts to support the San Luis by sending letters to the board and 28th Ward Alderwoman Lyda Krewson! Remind them that the San Luis is eligible for listing in the National Register and a desirable candidate for adaptive reuse; that the Central West End deserves better than a surface parking lot on such a prominent corner; that this plan goes against principles of sound urban design and sustainability. As a reference, we have attached a draft of a sample letter that others in support of the San Luis have sent to the Preservation Board.
Please address letters of support to the "Preservation Board of the City of St. Louis" and send them to Adonna Buford, secretary to Kate Shea, director of the Cultural Resources Office: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Paper copies can be sent to:
Preservation Board of the City of St. Louis
c/o Kathleen Shea, Director
Cultural Resources Office
1015 Locust Street, Suite 1200
St. Louis, MO 63101
Alderwoman Lyda Krewson can be reached at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thank you in advance for your help! The more citizens speak out in favor of preservation, the greater the chance that the San Luis will be saved. For more information about the San Luis and the proposed parking lot, please go to www.noparkinglotonlindell.com.