A landmark Lafayette Square mansion on Waverly, right across from Lafayette Park, is on track to be converted into a boutique hotel called Truitt St. Louis. The late-19th-century building is roughly 141 years old and sits at the foot of Lafayette Park on one of the city’s most historic blocks. Kansas City developers say they plan to open the hotel later this year.
The plans first surfaced in a report from First Alert 4, which noted the property’s Waverly address at the edge of Lafayette Park and reported that it "will be called the Truitt St. Louis." The station also reported that the Kansas City developers behind the project expect to open the Lafayette Square location later this year.
A 141-Year-Old House
Listing information for 1723 Waverly Place on ReeceNichols Real Estate describes the structure as a Second French Empire residence built for David Constant Jaccard roughly 141 years ago, with about 5,700 square feet and a carriage house in back. The listing highlights original features such as high ceilings, carved woodwork and multiple marble fireplace mantels that developers plan to adapt for hospitality use.
What The Truitt Brand Is
The Truitt operates a small, design-forward boutique hotel in Kansas City that occupies a restored mansion and emphasizes intimate rooms and period character, according to The Truitt website. If the St. Louis outpost follows that model, the conversion will aim to preserve historic details while adding hotel amenities for visitors who want more of a neighborhood stay than a downtown tower experience.
Why Lafayette Square Matters
Lafayette Square is one of St. Louis’s oldest and most intact historic districts, anchored by Lafayette Park and known for restored Victorian and Second Empire homes, per the Lafayette Square neighborhood association. With preservation-minded residents and regular home-tour programming, any plan to turn a landmark house into a hotel tends to get plenty of local scrutiny.
Timeline And Next Steps
Beyond its note that the Truitt St. Louis is expected to open "later this year," First Alert 4 did not identify the developers by name or lay out a detailed construction schedule. A more specific timeline, along with permit filings and formal statements from the development team, was not included in the initial report and will likely surface in future public records or announcements.
