Sierra Club – Eastern Missouri Group employees were in the process of assembling modular offices along the walls of their new office at 2818 Sutton Boulevard on Thursday. The office has relocated from 7164 Manchester Avenue.
The group caused a controversy when it announced it didn’t need the cabinets that came with the space, which had been there since its original use as Harper’s Pharmacy.
At least one other new tenant of the building, Bridges, has said they have plans for the cabinets.
See also: Lease signed for Maplewood butcher shop, Lease signed on space next to future Sierra Club office
The building’s new owner, David Schlafly, ran a contest in 40 South News to name the entire building, and said Thursday he received many good, and some surprising, ideas.
I thought this had been addressed in the earlier conversations, but I think Doug Hauser can speak to this question far better than anyone else, so…… Doug, your on !
I will add, however, that had the place, including cabinets, been restored, then the space would have been attractive to interesting, artistic, types like antique dealers, art galleries, and other businesses that would cause Sutton to be a destination for lots of people who would bring money. They would visit the interesting business in the Harper building, then they would dine and shop in other businesses. As it is now, none of those community benefits will be enjoyed. The SC could has just as easily located near the BBB in an industrial park since they will do nothing for Maplewood, not even generate sales tax. It is a total lose-lose situation for them to occupy this space, but I blame the landlord for being short sighted. The landlord, in this case, had plenty of money available but chose to just let the building go to waste.
Hadn’t this building been for lease for a long time, and just sat, vacant? I’d much rather see a “soul-crushing office,” especially one that does such good work for the environment, than an empty store-front. We’ve had too many of those in the past.
Yes, this space was for lease for a long time by a landlord who did nothing to enhance its curb appeal and acquire a tenant that would deserve the space. Buildings become “one of those”, not due to the space, as much as the properly owner.
This travesty represents great opportunity lost for a special vintage space, the landlord, and the community. As a property owner, I can say that you have to be proactive to create a space that you can be proud of, which then easily attracts tenants you want to have on Sutton and in Maplewood.
I practice what I preach, and the results speak for themselves.
I get that – but the anger at the Sierra Club seems misplaced.
You need to read the history of this conversation to understand why the Sierra Club garnered a fair amount deserved ill will. No one was interested in any solution while there was still time. As a matter of fact the SC had and maybe has a bit of an attitude with regards to preservation of Maplewood’s historic icons.
I’ve read the stories and comments since day one.
Explain to me this – other than the cabinets being old and (admittedly) beautiful – what makes them historic, and not just old? Since tone on the internet is hard to read, that’s a genuine question, not snark.
I’m very confused as to why they needed to take this beautiful space in such a prime location. My husband and I walked by and saw their layout in person the other day–it’s the epitome of “office drab.” If they insisted on taking this corner building with expansive windows, why are they filling the place with grey cubicles? It’s pretty disappointing.
Now that I see this, I have changed my opinion on the cabinets. Sierra Club was right. Those beautiful cabinets would have looked really out of place with their drab, 90s style, soul-crushing office aesthetic.
And why did they need to be in a historic building in our downtown? Based on this office design, they are better suited to a modern style office building. I agree with Doug Smith – what a downer. And since they are the Sierra Club, there’s likely no chance they will go under and open up the space for another business that would be better suited to the building.
After seeing the cool way the new lighting design office on Manchester set up their offices using the original brick walls and an open floor plan, this office design is pretty unimaginative. This is my all time favorite Maplewood building, too!
Potentially prime, upscale, unique, historic, high dollar retail space used for modular offices. What was he thinking? What a disappointment and a step backward. I shake my head.