"The Arch is the most recognizable structure in the city and the easiest way to identify St. Louis's skyline. St. Louisans are known for pointing out, 'There's the Arch!' when they see it unexpectedly or from a new vantage point, like in a glimpse between buildings."
Gateway Arch
Submitted by Holly
"The library is both a comfortable and beautiful space. I love being able to visit the library to read a book. "
St. Louis Central Library
Submitted by Emma
Image source: https://www.slpl.org/central-library-tours/
"I find the symmetry and the light very calming. "
"luminous open space that inspires the spirit"
Submitted by William
"The building expresses Period (1950s), Place (Francis Park Neighborhood), and Purpose (worship)."
St. Gabriel the Archangel Church
Submitted by Peter
"As an iconic landmark and symbol of the City of St. Louis, the Arch marks the first place I visited with my family after moving to St. Louis for school. Since then, I continue to visit and appreciate the landmark and its history. Whether I am admiring it from 30,000+ feet on the plane as I takeoff or land, walking by the landmark with friends as we explore the city, visiting the museum with first-year students, or returning with my family once again on Parents' Weekend, I continue to enjoy the Arch."
Gateway Arch National Park
Submitted by Riley
"This elegant modern structure creates a masterful transition between the street to the south and the Missouri Botanical Garden to the north. It features a hidden courtyard, incorporates sculpture, and includes site-specific furniture designed by Frederick Dunn in 1959."
National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Submitted by Andrew
"They
hollowed out
the
earth under this whole town in search of lead, then packed up and allowed the mine to fill with water, creating the largest underground lake in the world."
Submitted by Connor
"As a Blues fan, I love seeing this place, mainly because of the aesthetic."
Submitted by Justina
"I find the arches, mosaics, and icons very beautiful but also the emptiness at the time of the photograph."
Submitted by Deborah
"St. Louis Public Library Central branch is a very historic building with beautiful architecture. The ceilings are incredible. It looks like a castle from the outside. I love the different wings and how it's a building within a building, which allows more sunlight to the inside spaces."
St. Louis Public Library, Central Library
Submitted by Avennah
"The City Museum is really exciting because I get to explore new places and stretch my legs. My little brother and I have explored the caves, the treehouse, some of the castles outside... I've even found secret passageways. It's a great way to have an adventure with my siblings."
The City Museum
Submitted by Kaylah
"I store memories in my room and in my house. I have happy memories, a couple of sad memories, and even funny memories here. I love to play Legos and play games with my siblings. My favorite kind of memories is spending time with Mommy and Daddy. When we drive home and I see my house, I feel happy."
My House
Submitted by Noah, 8 years old
"I love watching movies on the big Omnimax screen.
The Blue Whales movie is my favorite. What's cool about the building is the bridge. There are glass windows, but if you break them, you will fall into the highway and get run over by a car. I like to jump up and down on the glass on the floor to see if it will break. I like to watch the cars drive by. The bridge glows blue at night. I wish I could walk on it at night when it's glowing."
St. Louis Science Center
Submitted by Zachary, 6 years old
"This is my Nummy's old house. I went to special sleepovers and to play. Her house had bedrooms for us. My bedroom had a colorful blanket with colors I like and a pink bed. Her house smelled like Nummy. I felt happy when I went there. She painted whiskers on my face and turned me into a cat. I was wearing a dress, too. I want to go to Nummy's old house and sleep over with Nummy."
My Nummy's Old House
Submitted by Corah, 5 years old
"The exterior of the Wainwright Building is so iconic that many are surprised at the simplicity and minimalist geometry of the less-well-known interior. The light from the skylights gave the interior a cathedral-like quality that day."
Wainwright State Office Building
Submitted by Bailey
"The 801 Building is a monument of midcentury modern architecture. It was heart's desire of I. E. Millstone, an important builder in St. Louis. Designed by Richard Hefner who also designed Northwest Plaza, 801 references two buildings in Chicago— Milton Schwartz's 320 West Oakdale and Mies van der Rohe's Constitution Plaza. Its concrete and steel construction allows for curtain walls of enormous windows looking out on Forest Park."
Submitted by Carol
"I’ve transformed the vacant home to a studio home."
Artist's studio home
Submitted by Dail
"As a Dallas native, the Midwest architecture in St. Louis immediately captivated me. This particular home in Lafayette Square is especially meaningful because of its striking purple color, which is my favorite. Its stately, elegant design embodies the charm of the neighborhood, blending history with beauty. The combination of its grandeur and the personal connection I feel to its color makes it unforgettable."
Private residence
Submitted by Frenchaire
"I just love this ceiling! One of the most underrated architectural gems in St. Louis, Harris Armstrong's original Magic Chef building—with its Isamu Noguchi–designed lobby—is certainly worth celebrating. The complication of the building's current use and visual condition juxtaposed with the refurbishment of Noguchi's original sculptural and organically formed plaster ceiling really highlights the dilemma/squishiness surrounding reuse, adaptation, and preservation of significant architecture." Lobby ceiling of Magic Chef Building (now U-Haul)
Submitted by Blake
"Vintage 1929. Almost 100 years old and still elegant in design and functionality."
The 625 Building
Submitted by J Image source: Submitter
"Soldiers Memorial opened to the public on Memorial Day in 1938 to honor the 1,072 St. Louisans who died in military service in World War I.
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum is a testament to sacrifices made in the pursuit of liberty. It was built in a stripped classical style with art deco flourishes. The Missouri Historical Society assumed operational leadership of Soldiers Memorial in 2015."
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
Submitted by Mark
"One of Gyo Obata's best designs—the 'skin' of this high rise is thoughtful and beautiful!"
Submitted by John
Image source: Submitter
"The interior is a hidden gem—the ceiling looks like an upside-down miniature golf course!"
Submitted by
highlights The Hill neighborhood's Italian heritage."
Hill Neighborhood
Submitted by Forsyth School students
is an important part of Soulard's history."
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Submitted by Forsyth School students
Image source: Submitter
Forsyth School / Dunbar House
Submitted by Forsyth School students
is an important part of St. Louis's past, present, and future."
Gateway Arch / Old Courthouse
Submitted by Forsyth School students
Image source: Submitter
"On February 27, 1999, a college friend invited me to witness the planned implosion of the Arena. I was a sophomore film student at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, and while not familiar with this historic structure, I had seen footage of Pruitt-Igoe's demolition in Koyannisqatsi and was made aware of Arena's significance to sports and music history. unique form stood out to me: part barn, grand palace, Art Deco relic. The massive structure was gone in a matter of seconds. 35mm"
Louis Arena
Submitted by Logan
am drawn to it by its quality of making a compelling photograph that removes the context and distills architecture to nothing but relations of shape, line, pattern, form, tone, and texture. I love the building in that I can examine the shapes and group them into unconventional configurations that introduce architecture’s intriguing visual possibilities."
One Hundred Above the Park Tower Submitted by Ken
"The St. Louis Abbey structure features clean lines, geometric shapes, and a strong use of concrete. The church’s most distinctive feature is its hyperbolic paraboloid roof, which creates a dramatic, soaring form. This design allows for an open, spacious interior that draws the eye upward, emphasizing light and space. The minimalistic approach and use of natural light create a serene and contemplative atmosphere, fitting for a place of worship."
Louis Abbey
Submitted by Gilbert
"The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is one of many incredible, free museums in St. Louis. Not only does host contemporary and highly relevant local art within its wall, the building’s walls themselves become art while seamlessly blending into its midtown STL environment."
Pulitzer Arts Foundation
Submitted by Victoria
"This is a detail of the roof of Christ the King United Church of Christ. This roof has a graphic, abstract quality that I am keenly interested in. I appreciate the roof’s range and subtlety of black and white photographic values, and the interplay of lights and shadows the roof evokes. I love the building’s repetitive elements to suggest associations and contrasts between recurring facets."
Christ the King United Church of Christ
Submitted by Ken
