Photograph by Michael R. Allen; December 21, 2005.

LOCATION: 1215 Wright Street; Old North St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri
DATE OF CONSTRUCTION: 1890s
DATE OF ABANDONMENT: 1999 - present
CURRENT OWNER: Blairmont Associates LC

This graceful Romanesque Revival tenement building could be part of the renewal of a neighborhood. Instead, it sits vacant as part of a speculation scheme. The building is a favorite congregating place for local youth, who use the stoop for everything from a spot for games, a hiding nook for throwing things at passing cars and for beating each other up. Numerous citizen requests for more secure board-up of the building since Blairmont purchased it have resulted in the second floor's getting boarded in April 2006. However, other maintenance has never happened nor has any move on Blairmont's part to sell or rehab the building. The kids still use it as a "hang" -- but that will be forgotten if the owners announce some dazzling and daring plans, right?

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