press release

The Lawrence Group Holds Grand Opening of South Side Tower

St. Louis -- May 09, 2006 -- The penthouse suite and three condos in the new South Side Towers development in south St. Louis city sold within the first week of the development’s grand opening. Formerly the old South Side National Bank, the historic art deco building was redeveloped by The Lawrence Group and West End Realty into 13 modern condominiums, and is the centerpiece of the planned mixed-use Grand View Point Development at Grand and Gravois.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for home buyers,” said St. Louis City Alderwoman Jennifer Florida. “It’s been seven years in the making, and we’re confident that the redevelopment of South Side National Bank will be the catalyst for more investment in the area.”

The condominiums went on sale April 27th with a year of free condominium fees offered as a special incentive. Condo amenities include energy efficient heating and air-conditioning, hardwood laminate flooring, contemporary cabinets, stainless steel appliances and stone bathroom floors. The asking price of the 2026-square-foot ninth floor penthouse before upgrades was $399,000. The third through eighth floor condos range from $159,000 to $209,900, depending on the interior finish.

The South Side Towers development includes a rooftop deck, secured resident entry in the restored lobby, private enclosed resident parking and separate commercial parking, high-speed wireless Internet, and fire safety and sprinkler systems throughout the building.

The South Side National Bank, built in 1928 and listed in the national Register of Historic Places, is a rare example of St. Louis high-rise Art Deco architecture. This 10-story limestone building, adorned with eagles, lions and bas relief detailing, was threatened by a proposal for a suburban-style commercial building. In 2005, a partnership of West End Realty and The Lawrence Group purchased the South Side National Bank Building.

The Lawrence Group is one of the largest architectural, interior design and town planning firms in St. Louis with more than 165 employees in five states, including network offices in Austin, New York City, Denver and the Carolinas. Named in the “Top 100 Giants” by Interior Design magazine, The Lawrence Group offers design, project delivery and real estate development services to health care, commercial and housing clients, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Urban Land Institute. For more information, call Donna Gamache, director of communications, at 314-231-5700 x341 or visit www.thelawrencegroup.com.