4494 Laclede Avenue, Central West End
Offered for sale at $490000, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
4494 Laclede Avenue looks like a condo, acts like a condo, but isn’t a condo. It is a fee simple town home with no condo fees located in the heart of the Central West End. Yes, you can walk to Cortex, the Barnes Hospital Complex or catch public transportation within minutes. Downtown StL and Clayton Business District are 10 minutes by car.
And what a class act it is. The owner of 4494 Laclede has lovingly pampered it over the last ten years. The unit already had good bones with a lot of quality upgrades/amenities. The windows are high quality thermal casement windows and some of the floors on the main level were hardwood. There is a wall of windows in the living room leading to an enclosed private patio.
Before even moving into the home at 4494 Laclede Avenue, the current owner added hardwood floors on the second level. She also installed new carpet in the finished family room in the lower level.
In 2012 the owner finished installation of hardwood on the first floor by adding wood to the entrance, hallway, kitchen and half bath. She also gutted the kitchen at this time. In addition to adding hardwood floors, she added canned ceiling lights, new shaker cabinets, solid surface counters, a back splash and all new stainless appliances. She loves to cook and claims she is a messy cook (I’ve been there and she is) so she maintained a separate kitchen with a little breakfast area for the cook’s helpers. What a nice nook it is for morning coffee with room for a table right next to the floor to ceiling casement window.
The kitchen windows at 4494 Laclede Avenue look out onto the street and have custom drapes and solar shades. I have had a front facing kitchen and I am telling you they are a kick because the street traffic can be quite amusing.
The master bedroom suite is spacious and comfortable. It has lots of southern light from the patio doors and the large set of casement windows. The thermal windows have custom drapes and solar shades which add to the classic ambiance of this room. The double closets, hardwood floors and updated master bath with newer skylight are added amenities.
Another advantage of 4494 Laclede Avenue is the parking. This townhome includes a one car tuck under garage in the back and then has a tandem parking spot in front of the garage. In addition, the entire block is protected parking during the hours of 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. by permit only. The permits are $12.50/year. The permits are only available to home owners and businesses on the block. Each homeowner is allowed one permit per registered vehicle and two guest passes. To purchase the permits or get more information, contact Park Central Development.
The 4400 block of Laclede has been newsworthy. It has recorded its own restrictive deed agreement. This agreement was recorded in 1976 in conjunction with the homeowners on the street and Washington University to encourage stabilization of the neighborhood. The main feature in the agreement is the restriction of rentals. The agreement has turned out to be a cohesive tool for the neighborhood. The fee is $78/year. A copy of the agreement is available on request.
Location
4494 Laclede Avenue is in the heart of the Central West End which is a century old neighborhood located conveniently located in the central corridor of St Louis City. The Central West End is eclectic, cosmopolitan and “bohemian-chic”. It is pedestrian friendly and continues to be a favorite neighborhood for dining, entertainment and shopping. The area is bordered on the west by the award winning Forest Park which is only a 2 block walk from the 4489 Laclede Avenue.
According to walkscore.com it is very walkable with a score of 81 and also very bikeable with a score of 61 and flat as a pancake. The commute by car to downtown is 10 minutes. It’s easy to take in a Cardinal ball game or take friends and family to the newly updated Gateway Arch via Metrolink. The Metrolink stop is .3 miles from the condo.
In addition to the many restaurants there are now two grocery stores within walking distance. Straub’s is a family owned St Louis grocery chain since 1901 and Whole Foods moved in recently and is just two blocks away. Northwest Coffee shop is just a block away.
The Cortex Innovation Center, a vibrant 200-acre innovation hub and technology district, is within 3 blocks. Ikea is a short walk to the east.
Due to the architectural styles in the Central West End, walking is a pleasure for sure. The 
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is about 4 blocks from 4489 Laclede Avenue and is listed on TripAdvisor as the #2 attraction in St Louis.
A side view of the exterior of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Schools
There is not a shortage of high quality schools in the CWE. The Metro Academic and Classical High School, a St Louis Public School Magnet School, is located at 4015 Mcpherson Ave on the eastern edge of the CWE. Metro ranked number 1 in the state of Missouri in 2013. Also located in the CWE is the new St Louis the King Elementary School. This school includes grads kindergarten through grade 8 and is open to any child. It is located on the campus of the Basilica. Click here for a list of more schools located in the Central West End.
New City School is located at 5209 Waterman. It includes children from age three through 6th grade. Crossroads College Preparatory School at 500 DeBaliviere accommodates grades 7th through 12. St Louis University High School, a Jesuit high school for boys was founded in 1818. It educates young men from 9th through 12th grades. It is located at 4970 Oakland Avenue (Go Billikens!).To determine which St Louis Public School is close to your home, call 314-633-5200. This guide from SLPS is also helpful in making the all important decision of schools and neighborhoods.
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