Once home to one of the nation’s most notorious public housing complexes, Pruitt-Igoe, Carr Square is on the verge of a sweeping reversal of fortune and a potential swing towards greater neighborhood prosperity and vitality. “Once this NGA comes, the whole area is going to explode,” says Bishop Mark Grimes, pastor of FaithWorks, an area church not far from here. Grimes’ excitement grows as construction proceeds on a new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) facility, which will relocate to mere blocks from Carr Square. “It’s going to be transformative for the area,” Grimes says. The news is welcome for a community that, at various points, has languished through stages of neglect and misfortune. The new Carr Square will allow residents to make the most of their prime North St. Louis location. “You’re only three or four blocks from the convention center. You’re less than half a mile from the new MLS soccer stadium. You’re right near downtown and major highways,” Grimes adds about the historic neighborhood.
Carr Square is a short distance from all the amenities offered in downtown St. Louis.
The new National Geospatial Intelligence Agency is primed to breathe new life into Carr Square.
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Lots to change
Homes comprise just over 1.5% of Carr Square’s property mix. Most residential living space consists of apartments, rowhouses and some townhouses. Many lots currently sit vacant, awaiting progress on the NGA construction project. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but my gut is that they’re going to start building there as it gets closer,” says Phillip Young, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Select Property. Many houses in this part of the city are well over 100 years old. Solid brick standalone structures, duplexes, Second Empires and some Italianates. Young says prices here range from about $150,000 to $220,000. However, he anticipates that will change as the NGA takes shape and settles in. “When the NGA is ready, then the building will pick up pace, and those values are going to rise,” Young says.
Preservation Square in the Carr Square neighborhood of Saint Louis is a newly built community.
Carr Square's Preservation Square provides nearly 700 new rental townhomes and apartments.
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Interstates all around
Flanking Interstates 44, 64 and 70, Carr Square offers quick and easy access to the entire St. Louis region. The MetroLink and MetroBus systems provide public transit to destinations throughout the bi-state area. Downtown St. Louis is less than 2 miles south. Multiple bridges offer options to avoid traffic when crossing the Mississippi River to reach Illinois. For longer journeys, St. Louis Lambert International Airport is 13 miles away.
There are bus stops located throughout Carr Square for easy access to public transportation.
Residents of Carr Square have access to the St. Louis MetroLink.
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Gateway to eductation
Carr Square children belong to St. Louis Public Schools, which Niche rates C. Students may attend Gateway Elementary School, which Niche rates C-minus, Gateway Middle School, which Niche rates D and Vashon High School, which Niche rates D-plus, and which bears the distinction of being St. Louis’ second high school for Black students when it opened in 1927.
Gateway Middle School
Gateway Middle School is located in Carr Square.
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A Touch of Q and Cantina
Carr Square residents have a few options for shopping and many more dining options, thanks to the neighborhood’s proximity to downtown. For groceries, shoppers generally head to either Schnucks Downtown or GreenLeaf Market. Retail stores, however, aren’t as close at hand. Except for scattered boutiques on Washington, big box retailers can be found about 10 minutes away in Brentwood or about a mile further at the St. Louis Galleria shopping mall. Diners have their pick of places blocks outside the neighborhood in walking or riding distance. A Touch of Texas BBQ serves wings, ribs, baked beans, and potato salad, which have received rave reviews. Rosalita’s Cantina gets good reviews, putting its own stamp on TexMex.
A Touch of Texas BBQ is a popular restaurant located in Carr Square.
Rosalita's Cantina is a popular lunch spot for those in Carr Square.
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Desoto skates
Carr Square has two neighborhood parks. Desoto Park is a vast space with a couple of soccer fields and a softball diamond. The soccer field is home to Liga Latina, the Latino Soccer League. Meanwhile, Loretta Hall Park has a basketball court and softball field. Its most unique feature is its outdoor skating rink, which provides fun and exercise for young and old skaters.
Desoto Park provides an expansive greenspace in Carr Square of Saint Louis, Missouri.
Residents enjoy looking at the city skyline from the benches of Loretta Hall Park.
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St. Stanislaus Polish festival
Carr Square is home to the historic St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on North 20th Street, built in the late 1800s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built originally to shelter Polish immigrants who were planting roots in St. Louis, the faith community is a link to the city’s Polish tradition, still offering some services in Polish. The church hosts the St. Stanislaus Day Polish Fall Celebration in the fall. The festival features food, Polish beer, Polish pottery, auctions and games.
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Carr Square was built in the late 1800s.
Carr Square is home to the Polish Heritage Center.
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Photography Contributed By
Ethan Babor
Video By
David Fritzson
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Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
At Preservation Square Apartments and Townhomes, you will love our one and two bedroom apartment homes and two bedroom townhomes with full-service kitchens, spacious walk-in closets, in-home alarm systems with free monitoring and private entrances. Our pet-friendly community offers a sparkling swimming pool and tennis courts for your own private city-living retreat. Conveniently located with easy
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Kennetha Paris,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,883
Median Age
31
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
34.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$21,776
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$31,680
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
72.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.5%
% Population in Labor Force
56.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
58/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
64/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
47/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
