In St. Louis, everything. It’s Our Town’s grasp at another World’s Fair opportunity.

Well, sort of, but for a sports town like St. Louis, yes, the Major League All Star Game on July 14th and festivities of the week is akin to having the World’s Fair in your backyard.

Not being consumed by sports as many in this town are (don’t shoot me, okay?), I didn’t realize how the construction being done in the city last year (see Trendbites: A Little Local Color) was the town planners way of preparing for the onslaught of tourists destined to hit St. Louis for Major League Baseball’s All Star Game. Interestingly though, what didn’t get finsihed was the Cardinals BallPark Village which given the event seems like not only a major gaping hole literally but a major gaping planning oversight.

But just as nature abhors a vacumn, baseball didn’t let a wide open field right next to Busch Stadium lie fallow. It’s filled up with puffed up tents offering food, activities, paraphenalia and such. Sheryl Crow performed under the arch to an audience of 50,000 people Saturday night and Washington Avenue (our town’s Vegas strip) has non stop parties planned for the whole week.

from STLToday’s MLB All Star Game Visitor’s Guide.

I only live 2 blocks from Busch Stadium and thus am more or less in the center of all of this activity. I am not attending the festivities because it is hot…..crowded and expensive and my dog, Chloe, is petrified of fireworks going off which sadly are being set off downtown like water free flowing in fountains. They come with the territory. Chloe and I have learned to time our walks around them (read: sans the crowd).

I really knew something was happening when I saw a blimp hovering over the city Friday afternoon. When I was a kid, it used to be the Good Year blimp weirdly hanging in the sky. Now it’s Direct TV, but nonetheless a blimp. Yesterday a small bi plane flew around downtown with a Pepsi Max flag flying behind it. What a heydey for marketers this event is. Even Purina has gotten into the act with their building which hovers over the city anyway and the cutest cleverest cat and dog “playing ball” in a larger than life billboard hanging off the side of it. Truthfully it’s a little like being in a segment of Blade Runner or the Fifth Element with all of these signs airborne in the city. Forget being supersized. I’ve been futurized.

On a personal note and seemingly others noted by attendance, the biggest hit is City Garden. Two blocks long and one block wide it’s packed with plants, sculpture and fountains. And it’s not just busy during the day, but during the night. We have parks all over St. Louis, beautiful green areas, well kept, spacious, clean….. but they haven’t drawn the crowds City Garden has. I admit myself going through the park is an experience. They packed the Garden with so many individual spots of interest that it in and of itself is an event and you feel like a better person for having come through it.

As my dog, daughter and I were taking a swing through it, a young hip guy with a leather jacket came through exclaiming to us, “would we ever have gotten anything like this if it hadn’t been for Major League Baseball’s All Star Game coming to town?”

photo of artist/sculptor Jim Dine’s Pinocchio by Tim Archibald. For more City Garden images, check flickr here.

So again I ask, “What’s Major League Baseball got to do with it?” In Our Town this week, everything.

P.S. If you find yourself in St. Louis this week looking for some cool places to eat (places other than TGI Friday’s), I recommend Rooster on 11th and Locust. They have the BEST breakfast (to rival any cafe in any large city) and be sure to ask for their house Mimosa, it’s divine. And one of our best kept secrets is Papa Fabarre’s….housed inside Macy’s downtown at 601 Olive, the food is All American delish (the French Onion soup will rival any restuarant’s anywhere in the world, I’ll wager), the ambience definitely old world, and the prices very very affordable, just their hours only allow for daytime lunches, so check online to be sure you can time your visit correctly.

Rooster @ 11th and Locust….read the Chicago Tribune’s recommendation if you don’t believe me.

Inside Papa Fabarre’s. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg of the Riverfront Times.

Bookmark

It may even be upon us.

Allison Arieff writes about “Rethinking the Mall” on her blog, ByDesign, (NYT, June 1, 2009), when she was recently invited as a juror to ICSC (International Council on Shopping Centers) for the organization’s inaugural Future Image Architecture Competition, which asked entrants to imagine the shopping mall of the future. She notes that some developers with eyes to the future have envisioned “technology not as some sci-fi fantasy, but as something that could enhance not only the shopping experience but environmental and social conditions as well.” Hmmm, practical application.

by Coleman Architects.

Such as the Retail Galleries concept by Colman Architects (above image) with “its astute analysis and expansion of the customer-retailer relationship. Spaces are delineated for services akin to personal shopping, but go much further. With a nod to current consumer recalcitrance, Colman proposes Accounting Suites, where representatives assist consumers in budgeting for purchases (and avoiding future debt). Recycling Depots deal with the euphemistically brilliant dilemma of “‘after-wear’ management,” while the One World Desk allows customers to donate a percentage of their purchase price to charity.” (we can thank Nau, Inc. for this last thought)

It’s a shame it’s come to that….I mean after all we’ve been through, can’t we reel ourselves in, yet? That said, the idea, one has to admit, has merit.

But there’s more. Cathy Horyn, NYT’s fashion critic, just posted parts of her speech given to the 6th annual Citi Women & Co. event hosted by the Times on her blog, On The Runway. In “The Bigger Picture” she was asked to give her views on fashion and the economy with a backward glance at previous recessions but an eye toward what may signal the future for fashion as a consequence of this current recession. Big job, but she managed to do it and do it well. If I may, in essence, she creates the call for designers to develop “fashion that is not history-minded—this has been the pattern of the past 50 years—but rather future-oriented. It involves thinking of the consequences of technology, and relating these changes more imaginatively to how we dress, how we shop—the design of stores, the potential of online magazines and stores.”

She also brings up the “consumer,” as if this notion is something recently discovered. But, as a colleague of mine and I were also discussing, people in industry, as much as they talk about it, really aren’t doing it–talking to the consumer that is. My colleague suggested it was because manufactuers were so “operations” oriented. Ms. Horyn indicated in this article as she has in past articles, that the fashion industry is too “marketing oriented,” creating the urge without having anything truly meaningful or relevant to today’s consumer behind it.

Another article that is circling the internet is from Forbes and how the internet has forever impacted the retailing environment, giving instances of retailers with business models that are working in spite of the economy (well that’s relative, but nonetheless they will come out okay), vs. those who seem to be flailing: Why Retailing Will Never Be the Same, by John Karonis and Madison Riley.

I agree with some of the observations Karonis and Riley mention, but I don’t agree that becoming vertical as a business model is for everyone. They too bring up the consumer as it relates to offering services. Again, like it’s a novel thought, but as it is currently being “not practiced,” these are at least examples of very thoughtful processes as it relates to “what will make the consumer happy and spend again.”

What I can agree on with everyone I’ve mentioned here, is being forward thinking and working at finding solutions, now that we have come to grips with the fact that the future isn’t what it used to be.

Bookmark

If Michelle O’s inaugural day dress has anything to do with it, (and I think it does), Texturize Me will be the new watchphrase.

This movement, layers of texture, has been happening for awhile though and Mrs. Obama’s dress just is a stand-out example of the times. Prada used lace in a recent past collection, I’ve shown how lace is being used in home furnishings….these are just a few examples of how texture is giving us dimension, depth, and layers or even representing the very fabric of our lives.

After all, not much in life is one dimensional anymore except the worldwide web, many would have you believe. It’s flat and has served to flatten supposedly our daily heirarchy, but I don’t see that happening much. If anything, it’s veiled heirarchy and that takes us back to texture.

And now too India is jumping into the fray. Talk about layers, of culture and history: witness the Jain Temple at Ranakpur.

The Jains are a Hindu sect known for their non-violence and asceticism, and this temple complex is one of the most important Jain sites in India. Photography by Murray Fredericks. July/August 2008 Vogue Living Austrailia.

Yes, of course, by all means, Texturize Me.

Bookmark

Kiener Plaza, St. Louis, MO

The HoneyHam is almost gone and the sweet potatoes disappeared yesterday. Mmmmmm…..the pumpkin pie was so good (and gone), I made a second one, to, you know, carry me over into this week (and to help get rid of the leftover whipping cream).

Things are looking up.

I’ll bet I don’t have to explain to anyone what it’s like out there…..tenuous at best? I’ve had the unusual experience of hearing stories from all walks of life that are enough to curl your hair and make it come undone at the same time….enough to know that whatever I might be going through, personally or professionally, I am not alone. The times we are in seem to be uniquely universal.

That said, it is the holidays and everything is relative, so after what seems like a long absence, for me anyway, from Trendbites, I wanted to begin at the end by wishing you all a great holiday before it gets away from me.

So, turns out St. Louis has a town square. Who knew? It almost felt like Stars Hollow from the Gilmore Girls (assuming you used to watch the show) when the lights went up. And that’s what I have to be grateful for, that’s my blessing….that if times weren’t the way they were, I might never have discovered what was in my own backyard.

Bookmark

The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis is listed as one of the 10 most haunted houses in America. And it does have a story. The Lemp family, a wealthy beer dynasty, had three family members who committed suicide in the house, plus a dog (shot by one of the suicide victims), as well as an in general tragic family history. These statistics alone make your skin crawl.

Lemp Mansion today.

The home, fallen to ruins, was purchased and turned into a restaurant and inn by the Pointer family in the 70’s. It now stands as one of the more popular family restaurants, wedding, and party facilities in the city. When I spoke to one of its owners, Patty Pointer, as owners they say they neither confirm nor deny the fact that the house is haunted because people come to the Lemp Mansion year round and rent out its banquet facilities for all kinds of reasons, not just for Halloween haunting purposes. The fact that the service people there can tell of hauntings makes for further entertainment on a nightly basis, plus every Monday night, haunted tours are given at the mansion.

Also, their bed and breakfast services are utilized year-round but, not surprisingly, they are booked for Halloween 9 months to a year in advance.

I’ve been there for dinner and it does have a wonderfully charming component to it. Food is decent but the atmosphere priceless.
After dinner you can go upstairs, before the inn closes for the night, and tour the bedrooms and the attic. It’s spooky to be sure and oh how I’d love to spend the evening there. The way the story goes, the son to the original Lemp Dynasty William, shot himself after becoming horribly depressed when his favorite son and heir Frederick had been mysteriously killed three years before. Also they had had a son who had been locked up in the attic who had downs syndrome…..(not Frederick). Tremendous tragedy continued to strike the Lemp family when William’s sister also shot herself (I don’t know if that was in the home or not), but eventually William Jr, son of William and heir to the Lemp Dynasty shot himself in the same building where his father had killed himself 18 years earlier. Eventually William Jr’s brother, Charles, who continued to live in the mansion died of a self inflicted gunshot wound (and his dog) and was found by another brother Edwin. Edwin died of natural causes in 1970.

In the whole history of the Pointers owning the mansion no one has been hurt. The spirits who live there do reveal themselves to others from time to time, thus the “haunted house” reputation. The Lemp Mansion has also been featured on National Geographic, Discovery, MTV, most of the local news shows, etc.. So long may it’s hauntingness reign.

Now as it turns out, another highly publicized place is becoming notorious in St. Louis for being haunted and that is St. Louis’ very own City Museum. I wrote about City Museum for 2modern’s design blog because of how Green the City Museum is since it was created entirely from recycled materials from in and around St. Louis to become one of the more fantastical playgrounds for children and adults alike in I’d say the whole world.

Now I find out it too is haunted. But, and this wasn’t even connected by the Pointer family who owns the Lemp Mansion, City Museum used to be the site for the corporate headquarters of International Shoe Company. Turns out when the Lemp Brewery, owned by the Lemp family who lived in the now famous Lemp Mansion, closed it’s buildings which covered some 10 city blocks two miles south of St. Louis city proper, it was sold to dahdadahdah, International Shoe Company.

So, City Museum…..Lemp Brewery, two different sites, same owner, International Shoe Co., two haunted places, Lemp Mansion and the City Museum. I think there’s a deeper story here connected by the hereafter and to be continued.

Happy Halloween.

Bookmark

Sometimes when things get rough it pays to just stay close to home. The events of last week were pretty intense, leaving me feeling fairly spent, both literally and figuratively speaking. How bout you?

So, today, especially with the weather being as sensational as it is, 83 and sunny, I took the dog, Miss Chloe, and a camera to visit the places in our fair city that are (and have been) under construction, for months now, in downtown St. Louis.

(The below, City Garden, is what the above will look like)

It’s hard to know if our downtown is experiencing a revival or a downturn…..there are sooo many lofts built (during a housing boom not so long ago, I’m sure) it’s mind boggling; but I will say not enough services by comparison or companies (read, jobs) to support the numbers of lofts available.*

(The above, the Old Post Office Plaza will look like the below when finished)

The Mayfair Hotel is on the back side of the Old Post Office Plaza and North of the Arcade Lofts. Roberts Towers, a 24 story 55 luxury condominium, is to be built next to the Mayfair.

Mayfair Hotel and Chloe

Construction for Roberts Towers and Old Post Office Plaza across from “The Old Post Office.”

Roberts Towers Site Plan
Arcade Lofts across from west side of Old Post Office Building (now holding offices, a Webster University Campus, St. Louis Library Express and a Pasta House restaurant).

There’s starting to be movement at the park construction sites but timing for when these sites will be complete is uncertain.

Ball Park Village (above) sits across from Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals and has been sitting there for awhile because a development company, Centene, backed out. There are new owners now and they hope to finish with the park next spring. Cardinals fans can look forward to restaurants, more parking, retail shops and services when done (plans below).

Cordish Development Company and the St. Louis Cardinals are 50-50 partners on the village. Retail and entertainment venues are expected to be finished in Spring/Summer of 2009 with office and residential spaces finished in 2010. (Cordish Ball Park Village page for more images)

So my question is whether or not St. Louis as a city understands that there is a potential “cratering” of the economy that could reverberate throughout the world? Speaking to a satellite office of one of our state senators, Claire McKaskill, Democrat Missouri. I’d say no. While I complained profusely to someone who was a regional director, she listened without saying anything nor offering anything close to what I would’ve hoped to be a statement of some kind that suggested that at least her office was aware of it and was about to bring jobs, businesses, and therefore a better economy to our state.

It didn’t come. If anything the woman’s obtuseness to the current situation left me surly not to mention discouraged. Whew! Where do they find some of these people? Or just maybe our Congressmen and women really are that sheltered and out of touch with what is going on.

One wonders. Next week, on October 2nd, there is to be an open house so to speak of the lofts available with special events and promotions at differing retailers/restaurants including a viewing of the vice presidential debates at the Robert Orpheum Theatre. Interesting timing. Will there be credit loosening up by then for people to get interested in buying one of these lofts? This program has been on the docket for about a month now. It’s either really good timing or really bad timing.

Robert Orpheum Theatre (sits alongside the Old Post Office Plaza opposite end of block from Mayfair and Roberts Towers).

Further investigation by going to Downtown St. Louis Partnership Programs website reveals that there is another $925.5 million slated for development in 2008 and 2009. The projects listed above are part of that as well as some other hotels and residential projects. The city is working with the Regional Commerce Growth Association and St. Louis’ Economic Council to create programs to further incentivize development. Mayor Francis Slay just rescued one of the largest companies, a law firm, with over 500 employees from moving out. I will say once Ballpark Village is finished that is slated to bring some 3,000 jobs to the area (not to mention taxes), but that won’t be until sometime in Spring of 2009.

Chloe in the fountain at Kiener Plaza.

What about you? Are you noticing improvements for your state or things going to pot or like I am noticing here, nothing but mixed messages?

*Update: I spoke with the Downtown St. Louis Partnership Program and was corrected and my comment about jobs to demand services. Turns out downtown St. Louis has the most jobs per area than any other in St. Louis, 90,000, and plans are on to attract a minimum of 10,000 more within a given period of time.

Bookmark

In 1966, as a token of gratitude for American aid during World War II, the Republic of Austria donated 11 iconic Swarovski chandeliers to the world famous Metropolitan Opera House. In July, Swarovski removed the iconic chandeliers, shipped them back to Austria and refurbished each and every crystal. This process includes using the latest technology to replace over 50,000 custom-made crystals. They are currently being re-installed as we speak. The chandeliers will be unveiled at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House Opening Night Gala on September 22nd.

Interestingly too for the 125th Gala, Renee Fleming is the Soprano for the evening’s performance. She will sing excerpts from three of her signature roles: Violetta in ”La Traviata,” the title role in Massenet’s ”Manon” and the Countess in ”Capriccio.” With three costume changes the Met has hired designers John Galliano, Karl Lagerfield, and Christian LaCroix to create the costumes for each opera she performs.

To further the legacy of the Metropolitan Opera, the evening’s performance will be transmitted into Times Square as well as beamed into theatres around the world in HD (and rumor has it, those attending the performances in these theatres will be dressing up for the evening!).

Bookmark

Patterns In Design, Art, and Architecture by Petra Schmidt (Editor), Annette Tietenberg (Editor), Ralf Wollheim (Editor).

I do like coffee table books and this may be one, but one I’d recommend.

In starck contrast to a contemporary and minimalist movement came the New Baroque movement. Flourishes, leafy patterns, stripes, polka dots, and pattern all appear on bedheads, wall papers, lamp shades, chairs or entire rooms. This book shows how new looks at old ways can produce fresh alternatives to the minimalist movements.

Using examples of contemporary work by internationally renowned designers such as Tord Boontje, Michael Lin, Olaf Nicolai and Sauerbruch & Hutton, the diversity of colours, shapes and applications are laid out before the reader, illustrating the impact and influence of technical innovations such as laser engraving and digital milling on patterns and our perception of them.

Often humorous, very colorful, and rarely plain the movement may be showing signs of maturity but I think it’s always important to see where we’ve been to also know where we are going. Not to mention that the technology factor they bring out has been a tremendous feature to this movement and is probably just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we will be able to accomplish as a consequenc of new technologies.

The book is available in both hardbook and paperback at amazon.

Bookmark

Prada created styles for Fall 08 that let us look at lace in new ways. (image style.com)

Furniture makers/designers are following suit in some small and not so small ways.

Aries side table CB2.

MISS LACY Progetto di Philippe Starck.

Reflections On My Grandmother collection from Nonesiste in Zona Tortona’s Nhow Hotel.

Even the architects are getting into it.

Architect Nobuhiro Nakamura of A-Asterisk has completed Leafy Shade, an interior design for an office building in Shanghai, China.
Dezeen.

I’ve been pondering this preponderance of lace for awhile now at the same time wondering what this really says….for one at least with respect to furniture and interior surfaces, I’d say it’s technology and that we aren’t living solid lives anymore…things are breaking up but in beautiful ways. Fabrics? Same thing, but it’s a way to evoke the old and the new at the same time which is very much how we are functioning these days. That’s good, keeping what works but using it in new and creative ways.

Bookmark