Downtown

The Gateway City Center

Downtown St Louis boasts some of the most iconic imagery associated with the city. The Busch Stadium ballpark, the Old Courthouse, and the famous Gateway Arch are staple monuments to both St Louis and the Downtown area’s reputation for providing a diverse and upbeat lifestyle. You can explore the tastes of the city at popular restaurants such as Broadway Oyster Bar, Rooster, Mango, or Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar. In addition to all of this, the Downtown area is home to landmarks such as the Peabody Opera House and the Dome at America’s Center. It is truly no wonder that St Louis and the Downtown area are experiencing rapid growth. The city has a vibrant culture and a unique depth to their identity.

Renters here love being in the center of a growing city that is striving to progress and improve. Like any other big city, residents are from diverse backgrounds and of all ages. The areas access to public transportation make it an especially ideal neighborhood for students and young professionals.

What Downtown Residents
Think About Their Apartments

overall

8.0

value

7.5

amenities

7.2

social

6.8

management

7.7

Median rents in Downtown

Studio

900

1 Bedroom

1,000

2 Bedroom

1,400

Living in
Downtown

Safe

Landmarks

Vibrant Culture

Growing City

Great Restaurants

Diverse

Public Transit

Downtown — 7.2/10 Rating (based on 18 neighborhood reviews)

Downtown has a bad reputation, but if you're vigilant you'll be fine. Generally don't walk alone at night or if you do at least don't wear earbuds so you're aware of your surroundings. You will likely be approached by unhoused people but 90% of them are harmless and just want some change to buy food. All of my neighbors are great people.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Gentry's Landing

The apartment location is really good. It is just one street away from the Arch, and you can walk to almost all everywhere you want go within the downtown area. Among the residential buildings in the downtown area, I think it offers the best views of the Arch because of its proximity to the Arch. However, the area can look pretty isolated and dangerous at night. Usually, there is no safety issues during the day.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Mansion House

I think downtown St. Louis is an underappreciated place to live, especially on Washington Avenue where all the restaurants and nightlife are. There are plenty of food options whenever I feel like eating out, and the walk to the Arch, the Old Courthouse, and the CityGarden is extremely enjoyable. There are two grocers also within walking distance. I love living downtown.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Merchandise Mart

For the most part I honestly don’t have any issues. But downtown STL can at times be a little rowdy but honestly I have adjusted well from living in a small town to a big city.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Tower at OPOP

If you want to live near a park or in a walkable community I would recommend looking outside of Downtown. If you want to go out you will have to drive/Uber. Personally, I don't think there is much to do downtown, but I will say the convenience of walking to the school and living above a grocery store is great.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Syndicate

Overall, I don't like living downtown. It's nice during baseball season, and I occasionally enjoy running at the Arch park, but that's about it. The area does not always feel safe, although the apartment has fob-access and a doorman, which helps. Moreover, I feel far from campus and other students, which is the biggest drawback. The food and bar scene is pretty good I suppose.

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Reviewed by

WashU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Laurel Apartments

The neighborhood is busy depending on the season or events in the area. I like that there is many people because it is safer to walk. However, it can get crowded. But, there are sounds of gun shots every now and then. Also, be careful for homeless people. They usually do not come up to me and are harmless but there are a couple who have been aggressive. Always be aware of your surroundings.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Tower at OPOP

There is a grocery right across the street! You do hear sirens but that is urban living.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Tower at OPOP

It's downtown STL. The building is secure and has 24/7 security at the front door. The building locks-down at 6pm and requires pin-code to enter. Outside the building...might help to pay attention and stay off your phone.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Gallery 720

It's downtown STL. You're going to pass homeless people on the street, traffic is crazy sometimes, and you will hear sirens (the windows are laminated so some sound is blocked). Just keep in mind there is an armed guard at the door 24/7 and you can't access residence floors without a keycard, so you're secure.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Gallery 720

There isn't much to do downtown. It's great to be close to the law school, and that's a perk for 1Ls bc lots of your classmates will also be downtown, but if you want to be closer to the grocery store, free museums/zoo, bars, & restaurants, try to find a place in/near Forest Park, Brentwood, Soulard, or Central West End. Rent is also higher downtown, but you're paying to be close to the law school & friends who also live downtown.

As a young woman, I don't feel safe walking alone downtown after sunset. I have a couple night classes, but I carpool w friends.

I love the green space downtown though; the arch and City Garden are perfect for walking/running. Ultimately, I'm happy I chose to live downtown bc it helped me connect to SLU's community better, but I wish I would've been prepared to drive/uber more when I wanted to do fun things .

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Gallery 720

Downtown overall can be a bit loud sometimes smells bad. A lot of things are within walking distance but must pay to park everywhere if you drive anywhere. Safe in the daytime but would not walk around alone at night. No parks or any children-friendly activities in the area, but okay to walk pets.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Laurel Apartments

VERY safe. We have full time security for our parking garage and apartment building. Don't let the stories about downtown not being safe scare you!

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Reviewed by

WashU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Gallery 400 Luxury Residences

Downtown has so much potential but it is a fixer-upper. There's some nice coffee shops and plenty of corner stores within walking distance as well as Schnuck's. You couldn't possibly get closer to the Arch or the Old Courthouse. Sidewalks can be really bad in some areas, not accessible for wheelchair users. People say downtown is dangerous but mind your business and you'll be fine.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Gentry's Landing

I love downtown and enjoy living here, but COVID hit downtown hard and it hasn't really recovered. It's also a commitment to traveling to attend social events.

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Reviewed by

WashU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Laurel Apartments

Not gonna lie we have had one shooting in our building and another time someone broke the door glass to get in. But I personally never had any problems for the three years I lived here and I walked to class almost every day including many evening classes. There are a lot of nice people here and then there are couple of people who are not. The latter are easy to avoid.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Merchandise Mart

If possible, I would have preferred to live elsewhere from downtown. Walkability is the biggest plus-side to living downtown. Only an 8 minute walk to the law school every day. I do not feel comfortable walking when it is not light out, however.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Tower at OPOP

Not much other than the law school.

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Reviewed by

SLU Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Gallery 515 Luxury Apartments

Getting to Know
Downtown

Neighborhood Boundaries

East to West Boundaries: Mississippi River to Tucker Blvd
North to South Boundaries: Carr St to Historic U.S. 66

dining

Bamboo Bistro

Broadway Oyster Bar

Copia Restaurant & Wine Garden

Joey B’s

grocery

Shop N Save

convenience

CVS Pharmacy

Express Mart

fitness

Breakout Fitness

Missouri Athletic Club

North Riverfront Trail

parks

Citygarden

Kiener Plaza

coffee

Java Plus

McMurphy’s Cafe

Peet’s Coffee & Tea

bus

174X (bus)

40/99 (bus)

rail

MLB/MLR (rail)

About your Neighbors

Data from the 2013 American Community Survey

	Zip Codes Downtown includes zip codes 63101 and 63102
	Rent vs Own 71 % of Downtown residents are renters
	Driving to Work 63 % of Downtown residents drive to work
	New Construction 5 % of housing units in Downtown have been built in the last 15 years