What Happened to Laclede's Landing? (St. Louis: hotels, houses, neighborhood)

[60'sGal]

Just got back from a weekend in St. Louis. I hadn't been back home in several years and it was good to see so renewing in my old neighborhood of Tower Grove Heights. It's good to see it coming back.

However, we were very shocked at how rundown Laclede's Landing is. We had gone there the last time we were home and it was bustling with shops and restaurants. Not now..most of the shops were closed and boarded up, the sidewalks were cracked and downright dangerous. There was trash floating all over the streets. All we saw open were bars and a few decent restaurants. What's going on? Laclede's Landing is St. Louis history and must be preserved.

Can anyone tell me why it has been allowed to deteriorate so badly?

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by 60'sGal

Just got back from a weekend in St. Louis. I hadn't been back home in several years and it was good to see so renewing in my old neighborhood of Tower Grove Heights. It's good to see it coming back.

However, we were very shocked at how rundown Laclede's Landing is. We had gone there the last time we were home and it was bustling with shops and restaurants. Not now..most of the shops were closed and boarded up, the sidewalks were cracked and downright dangerous. There was trash floating all over the streets. All we saw open were bars and a few decent restaurants. What's going on? Laclede's Landing is St. Louis history and must be preserved.

Can anyone tell me why it has been allowed to deteriorate so badly?

I was there three weeks ago and didnt see any of what your describing.

[aragx6]

There were shops at the landing? I always thought it was majority bars. As for boarded up buildings and trash etc. I'm wondering where exactly you were.

[Fishtacos]

Perhaps this poster was several blocks Northeast of the Dome? There are some vacant warehouses over there on the far North Side.

The Four Seasons Hotel and the new casino and its many restaurants and all that area is very nice, if not very expensive. The Central and Southern portions are the same as always.

[60'sGal]

I know what I saw. I had dinner at Hannegan's. When I visited several years ago there were several Art Shops and many others also. I have an outfit I bought down there at one of the Shops. We saw building after building boarded up. Many had been Bars that are now closed. I did a google search and found where others have noticed the same decline.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by 60'sGal

I know what I saw. I had dinner at Hannegan's. When I visited several years ago there were several Art Shops and many others also. I have an outfit I bought down there at one of the Shops. We saw building after building boarded up. Many had been Bars that are now closed. I did a google search and found where others have noticed the same decline.

I dont know what you mean by several years ago. Several could be anywhere from 3 or 4 to 20. The area is thriving right now with the addition of the new casino as well as having the dome right there.

I prefer Soulard, but thats just me.

[Brickmama]

Your may be referring to the following. The Switzer building had to be torn down since it had extreme damage due to a bad storm a few years ago. The site is now a pile a rubble. The Feisty Bulldog, Lucky's and Fat Tuesdays have recently closed so that may be the retail establishments you are refferring to. The closure of these places probably was a result of the economy instead of a decline of the Landing. I know Skybox, a upscale sports bar has opened a short while ago and the area is benefiting from traffic coming from the Casino. It may appear as if there has been a decline in the Landing however I do not think what you are seeing paints an accurate picture. I expect the Landing to expand and prosper once the economy turns around.

[bronzelady]

Although I haven't been on the landing since maybe 2003, I agree with Brickmama. The new Pinnacle Casino (I hope I spelled it right) is bringing more business to the landing. Depending on how recently you were here, we had a flood back in June which caused a major rising of the Mississippi River. That may explain any trash you may have seen if you visited STL in June or July.

[Fishtacos]

Well, it was good enough for plenty of political types, Senators, etc..who stayed there recently at the Four Seasons and dined there as well a few weeks ago.

The 2 new Hotels there are nice, one very, very nice. The Skybox is a good addition. Morgan Street has always done well. Sundeckers is still there. There is now the underground walkway to and from the dome to get to the Casino complex, which is very nice as well.

Some places have lots of turnover. The Landing is a tourist spot, Dome entertainment area, and a weekend spot for some adults, and also some convention goers.

In order for an area to thrive at all times, it needs to have people living in it and/or near it. That hasn't happened yet. The Landing also, logistically, isn't connected well to downtown. While the historic cobblestone streets are nice to look at, they are a pain in the butt for everyday life.

[Tiki Owl]

Is one of the hotels the old Embassy Suites (I know it was bought by Pinnacle) and if so what is in now called?