Award-winning revival of two blocks next to St. Louis’ iconic Crown Candy Kitchen.

The Crown Square project involved the gut renovation of 27 historic buildings into 33,000 square feet of commercial/office space and 80 affordable and market rate apartments along two blocks in Old North St. Louis, adjacent to St. Louis’ oldest diner—the famed Crown Candy Kitchen, est. 1913.

Built mostly in the 1800s, this once thriving commercial district began to deteriorate in the 1970s when it was converted to a pedestrian-only mall. Decades later, some buildings were barely standing when a partnership of two non-profits, RISE (fka RHCDA) and Old North St. Louis Restoration group, tapped E.M. Harris to reopen the street and restore 27 buildings.

Financed with historic preservation tax credits, low-income housing tax credits, new markets tax credits, tax exempt financing and other sources, this $35.2 million redevelopment project included an extensive site work package (new utilities, streets, sidewalks, parking areas, fencing and landscaping), new roofs, extensive masonry restoration, all new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, new historic windows and doors, and all new interior finishes.

Crown Square received The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association's Timmy Award for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation in the category "Best Historic Rehabilitation Utilizing New Markets Tax Credits." It also received awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Landmarks Association of St. Louis, and the St. Louis Construction News and Review.