In Gravois Park, a St. Louis neighborhood, a unique blend of art and real estate development is addressing both creative space needs and the issue of vacant homes. The STL Art Place Initiative (STL API) has partnered with the Community Development Administration (CDA) to convert empty properties into affordable homes for local artists. Their mission has a dual focus, to "build wealth for artists through homeownership and transform vacant spaces into cultural assets within communities." The initiative describes an artist as anyone dedicated to a creative practice, casting a wide net for who qualifies for the program, as per the City of St. Louis.
The collaborative effort between STL API and the CDA aims to create 20 homes for artists within three to five years. These aren't simply speculative ventures, but lasting homes meant to entrench and empower artists who are already contributing to the community. Each home will be sold at a cost below market rate, and ownership is tied to a cultural asset land trust. This ensures continued affordability through deed restrictions and future resale terms geared to maintain long-term accessibility for the community.
An ingenious approach to housing development took shape when a large three-story house with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) was being constructed at Gravois Park. STL API and the CDA leveraged creative funding solutions to address affordability concerns. As the City of St. Louis reported, they strategically repurposed the ADU into a vital community asset, an artist-in-residence program space, using the CDA's ARPA-funded Neighborhood Transformation Grant.
This model goes beyond basic construction, putting a real focus on fostering a sense of community. The initiative's partnership with the CDA has been essential in prioritizing artistic design and livability in these developments. Kaveh Razani, STL API co-director, told the City of St. Louis, "The beauty of working with the CDA is that it’s not just transactional – it's a partnership. They’re helping us think beyond the immediate build and toward long term community impact."
