For years, a building on a prominent corner across from Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital seemed desolate, abandoned and slated for the wrecking ball. In fact, it was destined to become a parking lot. Instead, it got another lease on life as The Nicholas, boutique apartments and ground floor retail.
Principal architect Joel Fuoss of Trivers says it was built as an office building in 1912 by Nicholas Pelligreen, who also built City Hospital and Sumner High School. In more modern times, the large windows on the first floor were covered up, giving it a deserted look, even though it there were still tenants there until 2015.
Brian Pratt with AHM Group, the developer, says they like to save buildings when they can, and the building's integrity was still good despite its cosmetic appearance.
Besides, "Location-wise [it is] around some real wonderful anchors like the hospital campus, Cardinal Glennon and SMM [St. Louis University Hospital], and the strength of the gate district and surrounding area," adds Pratt.
The Nicholas has 28 apartments which is hard to picture based on the size of the building. Fuoss says when you have a limited footprint you find every square inch to find ways to make it work. Pratt says they were not able to get historic tax credits, which increased the cost of the project and meant maximizing the number of units in the building, mostly one-bedroom with a few two-bedroom apartments.
That creative use of space also allowed for a rooftop deck and a basement that includes a gym, pet spa/washing station, screening lounge, and bike storage.
The first tenants will begin moving in at the end of March. Fuoss says his client (Pratt and AHM) wanted to make The Nicholas a respite, especially for hospital workers. Designed during the COVID-19 pandemic, he says, "They wanted it to be a calming place, soothing. From the design to the colors and finishes."
The apartments are filled with light, thanks to the numerous windows.
"You don't realize when you look at these old buildings driving by just how big these windows are," Joel Fuoss says. In fact, he says pre-World War II buildings needed those big windows for natural light and air flow. Today, it makes them great for converting to residential.
