Central West End

As St. Louis prepared for the 1904 World’s Fair, development began in the Central West End, located on the eastern edge of Forest Park. Many of the city’s wealthy residents gravitated toward the neighborhood, building stunning single-family homes that add a welcoming feel to the bustling mixed-use district today. Famous literary figures, including Kate Chopin, T.S. Eliot and Tennessee Williams, and notable business leaders, including Dwight Davis, Albert Bond Lambert and Joseph Pulitzer, all lived here.

Over the years, the neighborhood has maintained its elegant feel and eclectic attitude. Modern-day visitors can enjoy a variety of amenities and attractions – from cozy coffee shops to fine-dining restaurants, old-world bookstores to contemporary boutiques and world-class art to entertaining live music – all within a walkable distance. While you’re here, have your photo taken next to the world’s largest chess piece, which stands 14 feet tall in front of the World Chess Hall of Fame.

Touted as a place to create, the Delmar Maker District has brought a renewed sense of creativity to the neighborhood in the last few years. Encompassing Third Degree Glass Factory, MADE for Kids and Craft Alliance, the entertainment district promises to awaken inspiration in visitors of all ages. When you need to refuel, snag a seat at Esca, Florentin or Nixta, all of which are run by celebrated restaurateur Ben Poremba.

With the ever-expanding footprints of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine – plus, the sleek skyscrapers and modern residences rising around them – the Central West End has also become a hub of healthcare, drawing professionals, students and patients from around the world who infuse the area with a dynamic, international character.

The constant flow of activity adds a cosmopolitan energy to this slice of St. Louis, where – fun fact – the first cocktail party on record was held in 1917. Mrs. Julius S. Walsh, Jr. hosted in her home at 4510 Lindell Blvd., and every year, the neighborhood pays tribute to the important anniversary by celebrating in style. Boasting endless ardor, the Central West End also hosts a legendary Halloween street party, which kicks off with daytime activities for the whole family and continues late into the evening with an adults-only bash.

The charming people, independent establishments and iconic events evoke a feeling of community and create a sense of place throughout the neighborhood, and we invite you to experience it for yourself. After all, the American Planning Association did rank the Central West End among the top 10 neighborhoods in the country!