 M.A.C. Listed On National Register of Historic Places
Mayor Slay to Speak at Press Conference Today, May 14
Mayor Francis Slay will be the featured speaker at a press conference today, Monday, May 14, at noon, announcing that the M.A.C. has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. KMOX Radio personality Charlie Brennan, a St. Louis historian, will emcee the event. Bill Wischmeyer, President of Landmarks Association of St. Louis, will be joined by M.A.C. President Rick Lodewyck, Past President Don Gunn, and other dignitaries.
Club members are invited to attend the press conference in the Art Lounge and help celebrate this big day in M.A.C. history. The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.
The current building at 405 Washington Avenue, with its distinctive “Cherry Diamond” sign and canopy, was erected as St. Louis’ first business and amateur athletic club. The club itself dates from 1903, when it was formed by Henry Genslinger and other business leaders in anticipation of the World’s Fair and Olympic Games to be held in St. Louis in 1904. After the first lavish clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1914, prominent local architect William B. Ittner, in partnership with F.A. Brueggemann, was quickly commissioned to design new quarters.
Constructed in 1915 with additions in 1927 and 1950, the 10-story building features Renaissance Revival and noticeable English- and Italian-influenced architecture. Exterior limestone and patterned brick lend to its appeal. One unique feature is the M.A.C.’s swimming pool made of lead casting. It’s located on the fifth floor, an architectural breakthrough when it was built. While the original emphasis was on athletics, the building grew to become a popular venue for socializing and entertaining among business leaders. Many of its original features are still intact.
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