photo by Lina Walz-Salvador
A lot has changed since the last Photo Flood in Tower Grove East (over ten years ago). What exists, however, is a vibrant neighborhood, full of families and small businesses–all folded into one of the city’s more picturesque built environments.
photo by Mike Matney
photo by Mike Matney
photo by Dennis Daugherty
photo by Maureen Minich
photo by Jennifer Sarti
The neighborhoods along South Grand Avenue have long been considered among the most racially integrated in the city, though this appears to be shifting with each census toward being less and less true. Between 2000 and 2020, the Tower Grove East neighborhood lost major percentages of its Black, Asian and mixed race populations, while gaining major percentages of white residents). The neighborhood also declined in population and housing units during the same time, which though it may at first appear to be a factor of decline, is in actuality, the exact opposite. Reading between the lines of these statistics, we see less rental properties available within the neighborhood, as multi-family structures are being converted to single family homes (it should be noted that most of these were originally intended for single family occupation). This process, which has been ongoing for more than the three decades of census results in the above statistics, has about run its course, however–with most of the homes available for single family conversion having already been converted. During this same 20-year span, the less affluent neighborhoods around Tower Grove East and Tower Grove South have all grown in terms of their minority populations, while experiencing reductions in their white population. No doubt, all of these factors are related, and unmistakably, there are far more rental options that exist in those neighborhoods where minority populations are moving.
While this shift may seem innocent and related solely to factors like income (after all, both neighborhoods offer beautiful homes in close proximity to a major park, shopping and dining, so you would expect homes in those areas to cost more), St. Louis’ disturbing history of racial inequality and other imbalances thrust upon minority populations raises concerns. It will be interesting to see how populations continue to shift and what measures city politicians may institute to mitigate shifting demographics, as well as how people already within the community go about making their neighborhoods more or less supportive of diversity.
photo by James Palmour
photo by Lina Walz-Salvador
photo by Jason Gray
photo by Jennifer Sarti
The South Grand Business District is one example of how the neighborhoods still foster diversity. With a slogan of, “The best the world has to offer in just six blocks,” this entertainment district has something for almost everyone. What originally sparked as a dining destination for southeast Asian cuisine, now offers more than 30 restaurants with specialties from around the world, ranging from Ethiopian wat to vegan tacos–there is even a hotdog place owned by a true rockstar. If you are here to shop, the street offers everything from home goods to books and comics.
Additionally, Tower Grove East’s International Institute sponsors the annual Festival of Nations, which is a great way to learn about and immerse yourself in cultures far and wide.
photo by Mike Matney
photo by Jennifer Sarti
photo by James Palmour
photo by Jason Gray
photo by Lina Walz-Salvador
St. Louis is often thought of as a city of destinations that you have to drive between, but Tower Grove East is a welcome example of how this sentiment can be contradicted. Indeed, it is one of the few neighborhoods that one may not even need a car to live in; everything you need is a short walk or bus ride away. For this reason, the neighborhood is one of the more important experiments of a new urban vision ongoing within the city. While some important questions may remain, the neighborhood has sure offered up an insignificant amount of answers. For visitors and residents alike, you could do way worse than spending a day (like we have), or even a lifetime, in this excellent neighborhood.
photo by Mike Matney
photo by Maureen Minich
photo by Maureen Minich
photo by Lina Walz-Salvador
photo by Jennifer Sarti
