Former Karpeles Museum in St. Louis Is for Sale as New Plans Founder [PHOTOS]

David Karpeles' plans for St. Louis went up in flames — and now his namesake museum's former home is again available for purchase.

The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum opened in the city's Compton Hill neighborhood in 2015, one of 14 such museums located in mid-sized cities across the U.S. Founders David and Marsha Karpeles had sought to showcase historic manuscripts in a gorgeous Greek Revival building just east of Grand Boulevard on Russell Boulevard.

Then, a four-alarm fire in March of 2019 seriously damaged the building. Rather than rebuild, the Karpeleses purchased a former mortuary on Chippewa Street in Dutchtown as a new home for the manuscripts.

But before the museum could reopen, David Karpeles died in January 2022. And nine months later, property records show, his heirs quietly sold the property on Chippewa. The $167,000 sales price was a $2,000 loss.

The Karpeles Manuscript Museum Library's administrative office did not respond to a message seeking comment. Tara Hacker, the real estate agent with Garcia Properties who sold the mortuary to the Karpeles organization, says she was told that the death of David Karpeles meant the St. Louis museum would not be rebuilt after all.

And now the building on Russell that housed the museum from 2015 to 2019 is again on the market.

The seller is Adam Keune, who has a track record of rehabs in the area. He said he and his team had plans drawn up to convert the building to a 20-unit apartment  building — and did "a ton of work" to obtain $1 million worth of historic tax credits.

Keune says he decided to sell the property after realizing he had other projects he needed to devote himself to. He's hopeful that the right buyer will take advantage of the credits. "We've gotten this into a nice little package with a silver bell on it for the right person," he says.

His agent, Hacker, sees great potential. "It could also be a great event venue space," she says. "It's not for the faint of heart. It needs a full gut rehab. But I think it's one of a kind. It could be really special for someone willing to take on that challenge."

Built in 1911, the building is a former Christian Science church. It offers 14,000 square feet, most of them open to the sky after it lost its roof in the 2019 fire.

Hacker says she's heard from multiple prospective buyers and has already shared her client's apartments plans with eight different prospects. "A lot of people are circling it," she says. "That front facade is unbelievable."

They're asking $250,000. Prospective buyers can reach Hacker with any questions at 314-320-0090.