Built St. Louis: Vanished Buildings
2301 Olive Street

Constructed in 1930, this Art Deco-trimmed garage building had an elegance that seemed almost absurd amid the scarred streets, aging factories, and vacant lots that typify the area east of Midtown. After serving as a Sunoco in the 1970s and a Goodrich Silvertown Inc. in the 1980s, it was largely destroyed by fire in 1996. Demolition crews did the rest.

But while this building was destroyed, the one behind it has undergone a remarkable transformation.

In the top photo, circa 1996, the building in the background is a complete eyesore, seeming to lack any architectural merit.

What a difference a good rehab can make! In August 2000, the old warehouse building has been superbly transformed and is now in productive use. Yes, that is the same building. Huzzah!

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