Welcome to Central West End
Diverse, eclectic and cultural, this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is full of urban energy
Located just west of downtown between Forest Park and the Saint Louis University campus, Central West End, pedestrian-friendly and filled with tree-lined streets, offers many stunning historic homes that date back to the early 1900s.
A bustling business district is home to more than 75 restaurants, bars and retail stores here and lots of recreation including the Saint Louis Zoo and the Saint Louis Art Museum is located nearby. At the awe-inspiring Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, intricate early-20th-century mosaics cover the walls and ceiling.
Named by the American Planning Association as one of America’s Top 10 Neighborhoods, Central West End is full of history but poised for change. Historic St. Louis architecture is surrounded by bike-friendly streets and an “urban eclectic” atmosphere. A variety of French Tudor, Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Mid-Century, and Postmodern style homes line the streets.
What to Love
- Pedestrian-friendly and filled with tree-lined streets
- Lots of restaurants and retail
- Offering many stunning historic homes
Local Lifestyle
Art lovers, foodies, shoppers and students happily coexist in the Central West End. You’ll also find plenty of families in this residential area too.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
In the heart of Central West End you’ll find Chase Park Plaza, a hotel offering three onsite restaurants, a historic movie theater, an 18,000 square foot fitness center and an outdoor Mediterranean-style swimming pool. This regal, Art Deco building is home to a celebrated history dating back to 1922.
Eateries abound in the Central West End. Local favorites include: Brasserie by Niche, offering French for dinner and weekend brunch; Olio, a wine bar located in a stylishly remodeled service station serving Mediterranean small plates; Juniper, serving classic and inventive Southern fare; Bar Italia, serving St. Louis’ best authentic Italian cuisine; and The Fountain, offering handcrafted ice cream sundaes and classic American eats in a former Stutz auto showroom.
Things to Do
Central West End is filled with landmarks. Among the most famous are the Cathedral Basilica, built in the early 1900s by Tiffany and Company, the structure features many unique Mosaics and an impressive main dome. Consecrated in 1926 in front of more than 100,000 people, Basilica has a stunning cathedral and famous organ as well as an historic High Altar. Today there is a museum and tours as well as a regular mass schedule.
The World Chess Hall of Fame is also located in Central West End. Presenting world-class exhibitions that explore the connection of chess to art, culture, and history, there are many private receptions hosted here.
The St. Louis Zoo is home to over 12,000 animals and recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo attracts approximately three million visitors annually and is the most-visited attraction in the region.The St. Louis Science Center is one of the only free nonprofit science museums in the country and serves more than one million people each year, making it one of the largest science centers in the U.S. and abroad. Featuring more than 700 interactive experiences in 10 galleries, as well as our indoor-outdoor GROW agricultural pavilion and gallery, the site is also home to the famous McDonnell Planetarium, and a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater.Forest Park, which is owned and operated by the City of St. Louis, is considered one of the nation’s greatest urban public parks. The Park’s 1,300 acres feature beautiful landscapes dotted with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams, as well as five of the region’s major cultural institutions and endless opportunities for recreation. Forest Park attracts 13 million visitors each year, making it the sixth most visited urban park in the United States.The Fox Theatre, a former movie palace, is a performing arts center built in 1929 by movie pioneer William Fox as a showcase for the films of the Fox Film Corporation and elaborate stage shows. Restored in the 1980s,the Fox seats 4,192 theatergoers plus 234 in the private Fox Club.
Schools
Central West End is known as a haven for higher education. Popular institutions include:
- Saint Louis University, a private Jesuit research university with campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the United States
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