This post was updated in March, 2017 to include updates of rehabs along Gravois, Civil Life Brewing, Carpenter Library, Ritz Park, McDonald Park, Oertli Nursery and more photos.

Just a quick aside, I went on the Tower Grove South Facebook page to ask residents what has happened since 2011 when I did the original blog. I was overwhelmed with the neighborhood pride and goodwill. The Oertli Nursery, new turnover of businesses along Morgan Ford, Civil Life and Matt The Cat all came up...a testament to the pride and community that continues to evolve in this neighborhood. TGS'ers love their neighborhood.

TGS is a major urban success story of the last 15 years. It's got the makings of the perfect St. Louis neighborhood: a stunning park within walking distance, 2 major commercial districts, fabulous architecture and a strong neighborhood association. The bad news is, it experienced a 10% loss of residents from 2000-2010, even our nicest neighborhoods continue to post losses as TGS is down to 13,333 people. Anyhow, this is still a highly desirable neighborhood and I'd put it up there as a clear top 10 for St. Louis places to live, work and play. The neighborhood has a progressive feel.

The housing within the neighborhood is quite diverse, but typical St. Louis through and through. This is a rather large neighborhood in area and there are several distinct sections. There are industrial areas, on the western edge as the stretch of Kingshighway in TGS is largely national chains including the only Pet Smart and Home Depot in St. Louis and many automotive operations including the curious pink building with all the classic American and European sports and luxury cars. This place is now gone and is a jam packed used car lot...so it goes.

[USED WITH PERMISSION FROM MARK GROTH: http://www.stlouiscitytalk.com/posts/2011/05/the-tower-grove-south-neighborhood]