Learn More About the Central West End

Welcome to Central West End

Upscale Central West End is home to sidewalk cafes, smart Italian and Asian fusion restaurants, chic boutiques, antique stores, Washington University, nearby Saint Louis University as well as Barnes and Children’s Hospital. Hosting the 1904 World’s Fair, the expansive Forest Park covers 1,326 acres, offers biking trails, golfing, and attractions including the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, The Science Center, and The Muny, an outdoor amphitheater hosting summer opera performances.

This long-standing community is well-known for its historical home district along Lindell Boulevard, skirting Forest Park, and through the notable Portland Place for a look at the historical mansions of the early 1900s, once housing Saint Louis’ prominent civic leaders.

My favorite things to do in the CWE:

• Drive through the gated communities of historical mansions
• Dine at one of my favorite restaurants – Bar Italia, Brasserie by Niche, or Dressel’s Public House

Did you know that the Central West End is home to the World’s Chess Hall of Fame? Check it out, it’s a real thing!  https://worldchesshof.org/

One of my favorite homes in the Central West End:

4976 Pershing Place is nestled in the gated community of cobblestone streets between Kingshighway and Euclid. My clients, Scott and Tanya Strader purchased the home in August of 2015 and were the third family to own the home since it was sold by the Wallace family in 1978. Scott is a talented professional Sculptor and many of his works were seen throughout the home. The Strader’s lovingly cared for and tastefully renovated the home throughout, updating the décor to today’s lifestyle. This home continues to boast an eclectic mix of Tudor and Arts & Crafts styles throughout, with many of the original embellishments still being savored today:

•  5” thick, wood front door with functioning inset glass window
•  Original cabinetry in Butler’s Pantry and Kitchen
•  Original banisters in the central stairway, simple yet well-crafted millwork, and stained glass windows on the 2nd-floor landing – all are hallmarks of the Arts & Crafts movement. The mission of this movement was to re-introduce natural elements to architecture, with a focus on functionality and craftsmanship.
•  Original built-in cabinetry in the hallway, master closet, and guest bath - all handcrafted from quarter-sawn oak with cedar interiors.
•  Original sunporch and single poured concrete slab patio, which would be cost-prohibitive today.
•  Original quarter-sawn oak floors and millwork in public spaces of the home. Original flooring in bedrooms is the heart of pine with continuous one-piece boards running the length of the floor - an extremely rare and expensive technique and likely obtainable due to the Kennard’s flooring empire.
•  The guest bathroom on the 2nd floor has been renovated in a most historical & thoughtful way - the octagonal tile was painstakingly rescued beneath the tile floor that was present when current owners purchased the home. Each tile was then cleaned and replaced piece by piece, ultimately bringing new life to the likely original tile floor.
• The 3rd floor was the original servant’s quarters and likely boasts all original wood floors, millwork, and gas fixtures.

History of 4976 Pershing Place:

4976 Pershing Place was commissioned and built-in 1905 by Mr. Samuel Kennard, a prominent St. Louis merchant reportedly called “The King of floor covering”. He was considered one of the largest distributors of domestic and imported floor coverings in the United States. In the early 1900s, the Kennards lived on Portland Place across Kingshighway, which was torn down in the 1950s. Mr. Kennard had three homes designed and constructed for his three children at 4960, 4970, and 4976 Pershing Place. Specifically, this home was built for daughter Mary R. Kennard and her husband, Henry Brookings Wallace. Prominent architect, John Mauran, a native of New England and graduate of MIT creatively designed the home. His work included very few residences, and reportedly designed this home as a favor to Mr. Kennard. The prominent firm of Mauran, Russell & Garden designed many St. Louis landmarks such as The Laclede Gas Company, The Second Baptist Church, and The Racquet Club of St. Louis. Mr. Mauran was notorious for finding native terra cotta and brick, the best building materials for the St. Louis climate, and using them in several important commissions such as the signature and ornate brickwork on the Old Second Baptist Church building.

Henry Brookings Wallace flourished into an important civic leader in St. Louis and eventually across the nation. His work in the St. Louis area included Chancellor of Washington University from 1944-45 in addition to spending 28 years in active service to the University. He also served as a trustee of the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., which was founded by his uncle, Robert Brookings.

Home to the St. Louis City Public School system, the Central West End and its neighboring communities also host many magnets, parochial and private schools including:

• New City School
• Forsyth School
• St. Louis University High School
• Rosati-Kain High School
• Gateway Stem High School