Washington University buys nine Delmar Loop properties in largest land grab yet

| Senior News Editor

Several St. Louis news sources announced yesterday that Washington University purchased nine properties on the Delmar Loop from Joe Edwards, a longtime St. Louis property owner, at the end of 2022. The University, now one of the district’s largest property owners, acquired two parking lots and seven buildings, including the well-known Pin-Up Bowl, a bowling alley near campus.

The St. Louis Dispatch describes Edwards as the “longtime steward of the Loop whose revitalization efforts turned it into one of the St. Louis region’s most popular shopping, dining and entertainment districts.” Edwards, who founded Blueberry Hill in 1972, established and owns a variety of Loop attractions, including the St. Louis Walk of Fame, the Pageant, the Peacock Diner, and the Rooftop Terrace Bar.

St. Louis Public Radio reported that neither Edwards nor the University disclosed the price of the transaction.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with Washington University because I respect them so much, what they mean to St. Louis, not just the Delmar Loop,” Edwards said to St. Louis Public Radio. “Little by little, over a period of time it evolved, and we decided and agreed on which properties to sell at this point in time and which ones not to.”

The St. Louis Dispatch said that, despite being exempt from certain property taxes, the University will continue paying taxes on commercial properties leased to businesses in the area.

In a comment to Student Life, Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Julie Flory wrote that businesses acquired by the University will continue to operate as usual. While there are no plans for the vacant properties at this time, it is possible that some may be used as space for administrative offices.

“With the Loop’s proximity to the Danforth Campus, we have a particular interest in preserving the vibrant nature of the area, as well as ensuring that small businesses — especially those that are small family- or minority-owned — are able to continue to operate and serve the community, including our students, faculty and staff who enjoy the many benefits of the Loop,” Flory wrote.

With the transaction finalized late last year, Edwards plans to use the sale to help him invest in more projects, including Magic Mini Golf, which is set to open later this year.

“I love creating places where people can put their troubles behind them for a couple hours and just enjoy life before they go back to whatever they had been going through,” he said.

Sign up for the email edition

Stay up to date with everything happening at Washington University and beyond.

Subscribe