The Heart of the Central West End

The glamorous Central West End is unique in the nation for its blocks of elegant mansions standing next to fabulous high rises. At the turn-of-the-century, the community grew as the home of St. Louis’ movers and shakers. Late Victorian era mansions with their ornamental terra cotta, massive townhouses with timber and stucco trim, and impressive apartments and hotels with Art Deco styling line the inviting streets of this neighborhood. Author/historian NiNi Harris will focus on this extraordinary area’s personalities, architecture, and its evolution from the electrification of streetcars to its late 20th century renaissance.