For the past 11 years I’ve shared what I find interesting about living in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis by publishing Nicki’s Central West End Guide.
I have always loved reporting, getting my start years ago writing columns on shops and local residents for the West End Word.
There is lots to cover here. The Central West End is home to an interesting mix of people, drawn to living in an urban environment, shops, an art gallery district, public library, and movie theater. The St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, and cultural institutions such as the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Missouri History Museum, are close by. There is also an eclectic restaurant and bar scene.
In 2014 the Central West End was named by the American Planning Association as one of “America’s 10 Great Places: Neighborhoods.”
A major draw to the vibrant mix of residents is Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, and two major universities, Washington University & St. Louis University. The CWE has also experienced an enormous growth in housing with the addition of several new or renovated apartment buildings and Studio Gang’s One Hundred on the Park at Kingshighway and West Pine. The impact of the Cortex Innovation Community is immeasurable.
The Central West End is a beautiful neighborhood too—the area’s architecture dates back to the 1904 World’s Fair. We’re fortunate to have Forest Park, named one of the Best Parks in the U.S. in 2016, as the neighborhood’s playground.
After many years of covering the CWE, I still find that there is lots more to discover and share.
I hope you will enjoy what you find on these pages. Please check back often.