Botanical Grove: The Future of Living Green

Botanical Grove is a section of Botanical Heights Neighborhood that focuses on green building. The planning for this development began in 2007 by UIC + CDO, a local construction and design firm. What sets Botanical Grove apart from the rest of the redevelopment projects currently under way in the city is a focus on preservation as well as green construction. Often times, you will only find one or the other. If you are ever near the Botanical Garden, it is well worth it to turn down McRee Street from Tower Grove Avenue and further investigate a green neighborhood.

 

The Botanical Grove Project is guided by 4 strategies.

1. Start With the Ground

To enhance stormwater conservation, rain gardens will be strategically placed along McRee Street. Following this, individual homes will all receive standard rain gardens and water conserving landscapes.

2. Focus on Preservation

The development includes the historic restoration of 17 homes, returning them to their former beauty. Maintaining these structures and keeping them from the landfill is a green first step.

3. Build Green

The renovated homes offered in Botanical Grove are all built to meet LEED for Homes standards. This emphasis on green construction starts with the design and includes all the building methods so that the home is healthy, comfortable, and inexpensive to operate. All Botanical Groves homes include ground source heat pump heating and cooling systems.

4. Strengthen the Community

Concurrent with the residential construction, the redevelopment will also include a new cafe at Tower Grove and McRee in the former 1930’s filling station. Plans are also underway to redevelop the large 1940s warehouse at 1618 Tower Grove into a new home for City Garden Montessori Charter School, a tuition free school, which recently recorded test scores higher than any other charter school in St. Louis.

Dan Brassil
Real Estate Professional
St. Louis Real Estate