1954: Splendor To Ruins And Back

German House; 2004; Stephen Martin

A most intriguing building in Lafayette Square, in terms of history and unused potential, is the German House at the corner of Lafayette and Jefferson Avenues. Its history is one of social groups, trade unions, entertainers and local politics. I’ve written extensively about the building and its stories, running from 1929 through the early 2000s. What you may not know is that another behemoth holding similar history once lay directly across the street. The Union Club condominiums occupies the site today, and its roots extend even deeper than those of the German House. 

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1928-1942: German House – The Earliest Years

One can’t help but notice the large four story building lying dormant at 2345 Lafayette Avenue. Its boarded up windows give rather a blank countenance to what is, in fact, a fascinating place with a long and somewhat unfortunate history. It was originally called Das Deutsche Haus, or the German House. When all things German fell from favor with the onset of World War II, it was renamed the St Louis House. Join me for a journey back to its beginning. 

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