Trading a wooded acre-and-a-half in Kirkwood for views of the Arch from The Chase Park Plaza proved to be a good move for John Russell. The businessman, who lives in New York City part-time, loves the convenience of his 25th-floor unit. There is a lightheartedness to his design aesthetic that has created rooms filled with character, unpredictable elements and fun pops of color.
T&S | When did you decide to move out of your home in Kirkwood, and why The Chase?
JR | Since I live in New York part of the year, it was a lot of work making sure things got done around the house, and I got tired of it. I was hoping to move into a building in Clayton, but it was right when the economy crashed and it never got built. I was having brunch at The Chase and they were remodeling it, so I decided to look at a couple of condos. It just felt like the perfect place to live.
T&S | What are some of your favorite things about living there?
JR | I love the amenities! My building in New York City also has a movie theater, so I was used to that and loved it. And funny enough, I’m on the same floor both places, so I don’t get confused. It’s nice not to have to deal with a yard and shoveling snow! And I haven’t done it very often, but when I’m really tired, it’s wonderful to get room service. It’s so decadent! Sometimes it’s nice not to have to walk to Straub’s. It’s also been fun meeting neighbors.
T&S | Did the views win you over?
JR | Totally. I have views on three sides: east, west and north, so I can stand in the middle of the unit and look at the Arch and downtown Clayton at the same time. The ceiling height was another selling point; they’re 14- to 16-feet high. And the 25th spot from the outside.
T&S | Did you have to do any renovations?
JR | The basic layout and set-up was already done, so it was just a matter of putting the finishing touches on things. I designed a new granite fireplace and had it cut; I added shelving to closets; and I had a granite backsplash installed in the kitchen to match the counters.
T&S | The kitchen is huge. Do you like to entertain?
JR | I love to cook and entertain. It’s nice to be able to make a big mess. It doesn’t matter how a house is laid out or how big it is, when you have a dinner party, everyone gathers in the kitchen. I’m a co-chair of the Arts and Education Council’s 2017 St. Louis Arts Awards Jan. 23 at The Chase, so I’m hosting a party afterward for all the honorees. The other co-chair (and a neighbor), Susan Block, hosted a kickoff party. It’s always fun to plan stuff with neighbors. We all look forward to it snowing because then we have a party in the building.
T&S | You have quite an art collection, and it’s really varied.
JR | I like shopping for art and buying it, and I don’t have any specific style I like better than another. I don’t buy pieces because they will appreciate in value; I buy them because I like looking at them. Some of my favorites are photographs, especially those from local artist Drew Wojcik.
T&S | Any story behind the wooden man?
JR | His name is Frank. I have a player piano, so it’s nice to have him sitting there when it’s playing. It’s fun to move him to different parts of the house. He’s been in the shower when I’ve had people over, and everyone screams when they go into the bathroom. An elderly lady at one of my parties sat and talked to him for half an hour! He always frightens the concierge who waters my plants when I’m out of town because he’s never in the same spot.
T&S | You have interesting decor in the bathrooms.
JR | I found the lighted mirror in the powder room at A Tasteful Auction for Food Outreach. It gives you an eerie glow. That’s one of the few pieces I brought over from my Kirkwood house. In the other bathroom, I have playbills framed on the walls. A lot of them are signed, and I have even more that aren’t up. I started going to New York back in 1982, when tickets to a Broadway show were around $50. I would send the playbills to the theater, and the stars would sign them and return them to me. I figured if I was paying that much to see a show, I should save something from it. The world has changed now—tickets are about $150, and the actors don’t send anything back! I love the theater because it gives you such a good feeling. So every time I leave my bathroom, I’m in a good mood.
Pictured: ‘Frank’ plays the piano.
Photos: Suzy Gorman