The Kirkwood Train Station is a historic landmark originally built in 1893 as a passenger depot serving the growing suburb of Kirkwood, Missouri outside of St. Louis. It was heavily renovated in 1941, creating a Colonial-style interior within the Victorian exterior. Listed on the National Register of Historic, the building still operates as a functioning train station serving St. Louis area residents travelling on Amtrak. It is also featured on the seal of the City of Kirkwood. With the goals of continuing to serve train passengers as well as to help the station’s secondary function as a multi-purpose event venue, Mackey Mitchell was selected to help restore this piece of historic architecture and position it to serve the City well into the future.
Shape
Working on a historic structure is always a complicated endeavor and it’s critical to have the team to tackle challenges that will inevitably come up. MMA teamed up with experts in structural, MEP, environmental, and transportation engineering, as well as a preservation consultant. Together the team worked with the client to envision a design that preserved the station’s history and character, while updating it with modern amenities. This collaborative process involved the City of Kirkwood as the building owner, NAVIGATE as the Owner’s Representative, Amtrak as a main user, Union Pacific as an adjacent property owner, and MoDOT as the Federal grant administrator.
Inspire
Situated in the center of the city, the renovation will replace aging building systems, update interior finishes, and ensure the building is accessible and comfortable. Additionally, the exterior plaza will be redesigned to create a pedestrian friendly gathering place for outdoor programming and ceremonies. Often used for events, the interior of the building will have added amenities like a catering support room and larger, accessible restrooms that will serve train passengers on a daily basis.
Their preservation experience along with practical and creative advice have guided all of us to the development of an exceptional restoration plan for the Historic Kirkwood Train Station.
- Arthur McDonnell President to the Historic Kirkwood Train Station Foundation
