06/12/2026
This two-building complex, consisting of a market building and a hardware store, was threatened with demolition by SLU until Landmarks Association intervened and helped identify a new end user in the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. We are thrilled to see these buildings restored and returned to active use.
The market consists of a large central hall with ornate wood and steel trusses topped by a clerestory. The rehabilitation included extensive tuckpointing, removal of old exterior paint, repair and replacement of windows, and new custom hardwood clerestory sashes.
The adjacent hardware store is a two-story building with a basement and former apartments on the second floor. The ground floor was renovated with restored stamped tin ceilings, repaired wood floors, and new lighting designed to highlight the historic ceiling pattern. Masonry repairs, brick cleaning, new second-floor windows, and reconstructed storefront openings completed the exterior work.
The Key Music Venue & Restaurant juxtaposes the historic architecture of these century-old buildings with contemporary design. The former market has been adapted into a vibrant music hall, where modern linear elements and angled surfaces complement the existing trusses and historic character. The restored clerestory floods the space with daylight and becomes a dramatic feature during evening performances.
The design continues into the adjoining restaurant, where the original stamped tin ceiling remains a focal point. Lighting and utilities were carefully organized around the perimeter to showcase the building's historic fabric.
Together, the music venue, restaurant, and bar create a new cultural destination that draws both neighborhood residents and concertgoers while celebrating the history and continued evolution of Midtown.
● Owner: Kranzberg Arts Foundation
● Architect: AVVA-A
● Contractor: Harambee Construction
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