Tower Grove East received its name due to its proximity to the eastern entrance of Tower Grove Park. The land of Tower Grove Park was deeded to the city in 1868 as a gift by Henry Shaw, who also was the owner of the current day Tower Prove Park and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The owners and builders in the early days of Tower Grove East were mostly from prominent German Americans living in the exclusive Compton Heights located just to the north of Tower Grove East. The neighborhood was built up mostly between the 1870s-1890s and was a stable middle class neighborhood in St. Louis for many years. Like many neighborhoods east of Grand, Tower Grove East fell on hard times follow World War II and saw a great deal of abandonment and urban decay for decades. Crime rates remained high until the mid-90s in the neighborhood. But revitalization began by the late 80s and increased in the 2000s likely corresponding with a decrease in crime. Tower Grove East is now a desirable urban St. Louis neighborhood thanks to its proximity to Tower Grove Park and the vibrant Grand Ave commercial district. But the neighborhood has not completely gentrified as rents remain affordable and one can still buy an attractive 2 or 3 bed home in the 200s & 300Ks.
The main areas for improvement for Tower Grove East in order for it to become a premiere St. Louis neighborhood is improved walkable schools and quality infill development along Gravois Avenue, one of the City’s worst stroads. There are also some blocks (esp. along the eastern and southern edges of the district) that are pretty gritty with some abandonment. While this is a pretty dense district for St. Louis Standards (around 12K per square mile), and increase of density would elevate the district’s urban amenities helping to foster more retail and cultural destinations.
Click here to view my Flickr Albun for Tower Grove East
URBAN STRENGTHS:
* One of St. Louis’ most dense neighborhoods.
* Good sidewalk infrastructure but most ADA curb cuts are outdated except along the more commercials areas.
* Several gorgeous segments of historic brick architecture but all the neighborhood has attractive brick homes and buildings.
* A couple bike lanes run through the neighborhood but no bike sharing program.
* Rentals are plentiful and generally cheap. 1-bed range btwn 700-1.3K, 2-bed btwn $900-2.5K, 3-bed btwn 1.5-3K. Also a decent # of subsidized rentals.
* Pretty affordable for sale options. Some condos selling in the 200Ks, 2-beds selling generally in the 200Ks & 300Ks, and good variety of 3 & 4 bed options selling anywhere from btwn 225K-550K.
* Generally a pretty safe neighborhood but some areas of grit and a bit of blight esp. on the southern and eastern edges of the neighborhood.
* Solid tree canopy generally better in the northern than southern half of the district, likely the historic divide between a more professional and working class households.
* Great access to the expansive Tower Grove Park, albeit few small parks located within the district.
* Solid cultural assets including a great array of restaurants, bars, & cafes, esp. concentrated along Grand Ave, a handful of art galleries, a community theater, a couple live music venues.
* Solid retail amenities with the majority concentrated along Grand Ave. This includes a couple supermarkets and several grocerias, a drug store, a couple banks & bookstores, several dessert joints & bakeries, a decent # of boutiques & gift shops, a local public library and post office, several churches, and a couple doctor’s offices.
* Good urban massing with few wholes along Grand Avenue. Gravois is pretty awful however.
URBAN WEAKNESSES:
* Decent # of schools. Just not well rate nor have high enrollment.
* Infill is very limited and what does exist is largely autocentric uses along Gravois. Although some decent urban commercial infill along Grand Ave.
* No bike share in the district.
Evaluating our Urban Communities [with a focus on America] 