JEMA Design Hailed As Model For Inclusive Urban Renewal

The AIA St. Louis featured JEMA’s transformative multifamily design for Union at The Grove at its event entitled “Being a Good Neighbor: Revitalization of The Grove and Cortex Districts.”  JEMA’s Managing Partner, John Mueller, served as a panelist in the interactive discussion.

John Mueller (middle) along with the other AIA St. Louis event panelists, Tim Gaidis of HOK (left) and Abdul-Kaba Abdullah of Park Central Development (right)

Union at The Grove is a multifamily housing development already transforming The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis.  A collaboration by Green Street, Greater St. Louis, Inc., and Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corp, the project is a first-of-its-kind collective of six multifamily buildings that combine market rate housing with attainable workforce housing. Drawing inspiration from Copenhagen’s “Potato Row,” the design creates a dynamic urban infill project that elevates the neighborhood while respecting the community and context of the area.  The scale of each building is intentionally derived relative to its surroundings, creating a neighborhood where modern new buildings fit together with the existing historic fabric.

Over a three-block area, the new development includes market rate and affordable housing intermingled with existing market rate single family homes and market rate apartments – all happily coexisting to maintain the unique diversity of The Grove.  Union at The Grove’s six unique new buildings were constructed simultaneously to provide the minimum disruption to the neighborhood.

Union at The Grove features studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units as well as two-story row homes with front gardens.  Amenities include rooftop terraces, spacious balconies, community rooms and private gardens.