A Brief History of Grand Center

1880 to 1900
The population of St. Louis begins moving westward from the Mississippi River, developing the area now known as Grand Center. Saint Louis University establishes its campus in midtown adjacent to what is now Grand Center. Elegant residential mansions are built along and around Grand Boulevard. Hospitals, doctor's offices and pharmacies are established in the neighborhood. Social and fraternal organizations move into the area creating some of the most remarkable buildings in the City. So many churches are built that it becomes known as Piety Hill.

1900 to 1920
Grand Center becomes a center for theater and vaudeville. Most of the homeowners continue to move west. Most mansions are destroyed and, in their place, construction begins on offices and theaters to house both vaudeville and more traditional theatrical performances.

Odeon (1904), Princess (1912), Victoria (1913), Grand Central (1913), Empress (1913)

1920 to 1950
Despite both the Great Depression and World War II the area thrives. Grand Center becomes a hub for public transportation and a stop on major streetcar and bus routes. This is also the time of the great movie palaces, as motion pictures become more popular.

Missouri Theatre (1921), St. Louis Theatre (1926), Fox Theatre (1929)

1950 to 1980
The decline of the area. With the end of World War II residents flock to the suburbs. As the urban population declines so does the need for the doctors offices and businesses housed in urban areas such as Grand Center. Audiences for the movie palaces and theaters dwindle. Most of the theaters close their doors and many are demolished. In 1965 the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra purchases the Saint Louis Theatre, renovates it and renames it Powell Symphony Hall. The orchestra continues to perform here. The Fox Theatre shows movies to dwindling audiences until it closes in the late 1970s.

1980 to 2000
The rebirth of the District. Most of Grand Center is designated a National Historic District. A beautifully renovated Fox Theatre re-opens in 1982 to present live performances. The Sheldon Concert Hall, known for its perfect acoustics and built by the Ethical Society in 1912, re-opens in 1986 and completes a $5 million annex that features galleries, reception and office space (1998).

Grand Center, Inc. is established in 1987 to facilitate the revitalization of the Grand Center arts, entertainment and education District. Infrastructure improvements such as vintage lighting, new sidewalks and parking facilities are completed. Boarded-up buildings are demolished or put into active use. A critical mass of 25 arts and education organizations is established in Grand Center. Grand Center grows to become the 12th largest attraction in the St. Louis region.

Private investment begins to take place in the District. KETC/Channel 9, St. Louis' public television station, completes its new headquarters and broadcast facility in the District. The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts breaks ground for a new facility designed by renown Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The Forum for Contemporary Art announces plans to construct a new facility next to the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts. The Continental Building is purchased and plans to rehab it into 107 luxury apartments, retail space, office space and a restaurant are underway.

2001 to PRESENT DAY
A district in development Former Mayor, Vince Schoemehl, becomes President and CEO spurring development. Owen Development begins the long awaited rehab of the continental Life Bldg. With an expected completion date in August 2003 The Forum for Contemporary Art changes its name to The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis as it breaks ground on its new facility in Grand Center, which will be next door to the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts. The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts opens its doors and opens Grand Center up to International acclaim as a true destination for the Arts. The oldest commercial building in Grand Center, the badly dilapidated Marina Building is demolished, making room for an acre plus development site caddy-corner to Xavier College Church.

CID or Community Improvement District is passed by residents and business owners of Grand Center and will stimulate a "Clean and Safe Neighborhood" with improved security and maintenance crews. Grand Center begins work on the first District TIF in St. Louis, which will cover all of Grand Center and outlying areas around the district. TIF dollars will go towards street lighting, and the rehab of Grand Center. Acquisition of several buildings, Including: The Woolworth Building at the corner of Grand and Olive Club Riviera on Washington Ave. down the street from The Bistro at Grand Center An apartment at 3727 Olive & and several pieces of property at 3821 Olive. These plots will be used for the "Grand West Housing" implementation. Renovation of the Medinah Temple as a Mid Sized Arts Educational and Performance Center A breath of vitalization is blown into the district with the re-birth of Circus Flora and the return of First Night-St. Louis to Grand Center.