St. Louis is known nationwide for its distinctive neighborhoods, tree-lined streets and welcoming brick houses. “They don’t build ’em like that anymore,” some people say. But Michael Lauren Development begs to differ. The award-winning firm specializes in high-end custom homes that combine timeless elegance and refined architectural details with thoughtful design, the latest amenities and the pared-down lifestyle desired by today’s homeowner. “We work with clients to design and build homes that meet their needs and reflect the way families live now,” says founder Michael Rechan.
Among the firm’s latest projects are the North Brentwood Place Townhomes at the corner of Kingsbury and Brentwood boulevards, former site of the Clayton Masonic Lodge. “They are unique in the marketplace, an option that bridges the gap between a condo and a single-family home,” Rechan says. “They’re perfect for young, sophisticated urbanites with a child or two, or for empty-nesters who want to downsize from a large, traditional estate-type home, but still want enough space so the kids and grandkids can visit.” The two townhomes are part of the North Brentwood Place subdivision, which includes two single-family houses already sold and under construction. Both the single-family houses and the townhomes were designed by The Lawrence Group Architects.
“The challenge was to design an elegant, two-family structure that looks like a single-family home from the curb and harmonizes with the more traditional houses in the rest of the neighborhood,” says architect Paul Doerner of The Lawrence Group. “Unlike most townhomes, these aren’t narrow, cramped units. You don’t feel boxed in. It feels like a single-family home, with generous windows, plenty of privacy, and an open, airy flow from room to room.” The two units share only one wall, so natural light streams in on three sides, he adds. “It’s a versatile space that adapts easily to changing needs.”
The Kingsbury unit is reserved, but the 3,934-square-foot, three-level Brentwood unit is still available for purchase at $1,575,000, Rechan notes. The main floor features an open plan with distinct living spaces, including a dining/hearth room adjacent to the designer kitchen, a light-filled office, and a gracious family/living room with French doors leading to an expansive, elevated patio. The upper level has three bedrooms and three en suite baths, including the master, and a laundry room. The lower level features a guest bedroom or office with full bath and sitting area. Each unit is equipped with its own elevator and a heated, air-conditioned two-car garage.
Location is everything, and North Brentwood Place is three blocks from the heart of Clayton, within walking distance of some of the finest restaurants and shops in town. “If you’re looking for the simplicity and convenience of a condo but still want the graciousness and distinctive architecture of a single-family home, this is the ideal environment,” Rechan says. “It’s a new spin on the old-school idea of home, sweet home—but with much less yard upkeep and maintenance.”
By Tony Di Martino
Photo:Sam Fentress
[The North Brentwood Place Townhomes are located at the corner of Kingsbury and Brentwood boulevards in Clayton Gardens. For more information, call Michael Lauren Development at 314.374.3846, or visit michaellauren.com.]
