Washington Avenue Highlights of St. Louis

Washington Avenue is a remarkable and historic avenue in St. Louis. It has many terrific attractions and sights. At the turn of the 20th century, Washington Avenue used to be a breathtaking canyon of rich brick buildings with unparalleled architectural beauty. Manufacturers of shoes, clothing, and fashion practiced their trade here.

This was a prosperous time for these manufacturers with goods in high demand. St. Louis and the nation were expanding and growing at an shocking rate. Washington Avenue was the portrayal of an active metropolis. You would see people stroll along the sidewalks with their fashionable clothing and accessories, including striking turn of the century hats, bustles, and parasols, whilst window-shopping for the chic and new goods of the day.

Home to the famous garment district that always gains attention in every city. The printing industry also began to thrive at this time. On the whole, Washington Avenue was quickly becoming a hot spot in St. Louis.

At this time, Washington Avenue has been converted into a great phenomenon. It has been reignited with new life and is a terrific neighborhood with residential lofts, galleries, nightclubs and various attractions that appeal to a vast demographic of youth and families. It’s quickly becoming a St. Louis hot venue with wonderful architecture and business.

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 design plans created by the Washington Avenue Streetscape Project included improvements to the lighting, a plaza, trees, and wider sidewalks. These revitalizations included portions of Washington Avenue from Tucker to 18th Street. Thanks to these innovations, Washington Avenue has become a great place to shop and meet up with friends. Retailers and restaurants are taking in more income as people are more frequently visiting.

After seeing the great potential for income and expansion of their businesses, many new businesses are looking to purchase retail space in this popular St. Louis area. With lots of people enjoying the updated streets and the fun architecture, it is no surprise that large investments are happening here. These streets also serve as reminders the great architecture from the days of old. For example, there is the P.T. Barnett’s Spanish mission style building on 3207 Washington Ave. This locale in St. Louis shows how the old intertwines with the new, and how it creates fresh ideas for business and expansion.

As you can tell, the time is now to live and work on Washington Avenue! Businesses, families and individuals are all noticing the great possibilities St. Louis has to offer. You should not leave opportunity to chance. If you are a small business owner or you are just looking for the next hot place to live in St. Louis, check out Washington Ave!

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