Cupples 7 escapes demolition

A state appeals court ruled today in favor of the St. Louis Preservation Board in its denial of a demolition permit for the historic Cupples 7 building in downtown St. Louis.

The ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals in St. Louis does nothing, however, to rehab the building, which has a gaping hole its roof and an interior in ruins.

Still, the decision stalls the owner's effort to tear down the structure. It is the only unrenovated building in the Cupples complex west of Busch Stadium.

In its 11-page ruling, the appeals court affirmed the decisions by the Preservation Board and Betsy Bradley, the city's cultural resources officer, to deny a demolition permit.

Cupples 7's owner, Ballpark Lofts III, had sought the permit, contending that the building is too deteriorated to save.

Bradley and the Preservation Board determined that while Cupples 7 has significant damage, it remains reasonably sound.

The owner had planned to renovate the century-old warehouse as lofts. But the housing market fell apart and Ballpark Lofts made no Cupples 7 repairs as the building deteriorated.

Condemned by the city in 2008, Cupples 7 remains in shaky condition. Its outlook grew more tenuous after no one responded by the citys deadline of Jan. 10 to submit a renovation proposal. City officials hope to save the building and note that historic preservation tax credits could be available to help fund a rehab.

But such a project could cost tens of millions of dollars and would have to include payment of back property taxes owed by Ballparks Lofts III.

The appellate ruling upheld a decision last June by St. Louis Circuit Judge Steve Ohmer

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Cupples 7 escapes demolition