Grand Center - Saint Louis, MO

In the late 1800s, the borders of Grand Center were first developed when Shaw’s Garden, Saint Louis University began construction in the area. However, the most significant time during the neighborhood’s development occurred in the 1920s, when the Missouri Theatre, the St. Louis and the Fox Theater were all developed in the community. These structures are considered historical monuments in the city.

The entire region is designated as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents can see this history by visiting the Fox Theatre and the Powell Symphony Hall, which is home to the St. Louis Symphony, or the Sheldon Concert Hall, all historic buildings within the community. Always bursting with energy and cultural excitement, the Grand Center hosts 1,500 different cultural events each year, and 12 different museums and galleries.

The Grand Center area of St. Louis features several local restaurants that offer unique dining opportunities for residents and visitors.

The Grand Center plays host to one of St. Louis' most iconic restaurants: Pappy's Smokehouse. Along the walls of this small, but inviting establishment, residents can see the signed photographs of all of the famous patrons that have visited the establishment before. Make sure to arrive early, as you may find a long line out the door to place an order, and many dishes tend to sell out early. Residents with big appetites should test out The "Adam" Bomb, named after Adam Richman from The Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food." It's a massive meal, great for sharing, that features ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, sides and a hot-link Frito pie.

Diners with a sweet tooth can visit the Fountain on Locust to enjoy a full menu of sandwiches, entrees and plenty of delectable treats. Try one of the restaurant's signature cocktails or ice cream cocktails with your meal, or wait until after dinner to explore St. Louis' largest ice cream bar. Can't decide between all of the options? Try the restaurant's Sundae Gambler, and have one of the soda jerks create a custom surprise sundae.

Residents who can't live without a classic neighborhood pub spend their weekends at Hair of the Dog on Washington Avenue. This good-time dive serves as the place to go to watch your favorite sporting events while kicking back with a bottle of bourbon, and locals also know the bar for hosting well-priced themed beverage nights and raising funds for charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation.

Grand Boulevard runs right through the heart of Grand Center and provides residents with access to the rest of the city as well as major roadways: Interstate 70 and Interstate 285. The access to these major interstates makes travel by car quick and convenient, and makes road trips and daily commutes to downtown a breeze.

Cabs are prevalent in the area thanks to the number of restaurants and entertainment venues, meaning residents can often quickly and conveniently hail a cab in the neighborhood. The city has also ranked the community as one of the most walkable and biker friendly neighborhoods in the city.

The St. Louis Metro system services Grand Center through the MetroBus and the MetroLink. Residents can hop on the bus system through one of several neighborhood stops. Residents choosing to travel on the city’s train system, the MetroLink, can get on and off the train at the nearby Midtown stop near Saint Louis University. For a personalized ride, hail a taxi or open your Uber app.

Despite being located in one of the most condensed urban areas in the city, Grand Center has its own city park. The fenced-in community park welcomes unleashed dogs, and allows city dwellers to access a place for their canine companions to play. The park is free, open to the public, and also features a collection of locally crafted sculptures and artwork for residents to enjoy.

At the Lincoln Center, residents may not have access to as much green space, but they can enjoy a small city park with fountains and benches. This small community park is home to the Jazz St. Louis festival and hosts many local jazz artists, such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, to play for the community.

Community members seeking more outdoor space to exercise, wander or picnic travel just a mile down Lindell Boulevard to one of their neighboring communities: Forest Park. This is the city’s main public park and is one of the largest in the entire city. Grand Center offers residents a close location and easy access to Forest Park, and this perk tops the list of pros for would-be residents and current community members to locate to the area.

Life in the Grand Center area of St. Louis typically carries an average to above-average cost of living. The average cost of living, including the cost of food and entertainment, is slightly higher than the state and St. Louis city average. Residents looking to rent an apartment in the area find the typical Grand Center apartment costs around $719 per month, which is quite close to the city-wide average.

Trusted brands make up the shopping experience in the Grand Center area of town. Here, residents can shop men and women's apparel at Rainbow or Exquisite Fashions, both located right along the Grand Boulevard strip of the neighborhood. If you are looking for big name retailers, the neighborhood includes Foot Locker and Game Stop.

Pay a visit to Epiphany Boutique for unique boutique shopping. This locally owned shop offers designer and high-end clothing for women, along with a massive collection of jewelry and accessories.

Residents favor the nearby Schnucks market for their groceries. This popular chain of grocery stores established its roots in St. Louis and serves as a reliable go-to shop where community members can buy their every day grocery essentials as well as unique, local fare. The area also has a Save-A-Lot market. Residents of Grand Center enjoy being just minutes away from the city’s only farmer’s market, the historic Soulard market. As St. Louis' original farmer's market, the Soulard market has ties to this neighborhood stretching back to 1779.