Landmarks Association of St. Louis

Holly Place Listed in National Register of Historic Places

 

 Holly Place streetscape

Holly Place streetscape. Photograph by Michael R. Allen.

August 12, 2007 

Another part of the architectural heritage of north St. Louis has been added to the National Register of Historic Places: Holly Place, a residential block located between Florissant and Rosalie in the O'Fallon neighborhood.  Holly Place includes 34 single-family homes built between 1906 and 1925.  These houses are excellent examples of relatively unaltered upper-middle-class houses from the early twentieth century.  Tudor and Craftsman styles are prevalent, with many houses in the American Foursquare form.  Noted local architects like Preston Bradshaw and Edward Nolte are represented by works on the block.  Holly Place is the centerpiece of the three-block Plymouth Park subdivision, laid out by developer and civic leader John Gundlach in 1906.  Deed restrictions controlling lot size, land use, setback from street and building materials gave Holly Place its consistent architectural character.

 Holly Place streetscape

Houses on Holly Place. Photograph by Michael R. Allen.

The listing on the National Register of Historic Places makes historic rehabilitation tax credits available to owners here.  That incentive is an important tool for Holly Place residents seeking to retain the historic character and ensure the stability of the neighborhood. The North Newstead Association and Alderwoman Bennice Jones King (D-21st) commissioned the nomination, written by Landmarks Association of St. Louis.