Michigan Movie Newsroom

The Moolah Shrine Temple

Landmark Comeback: Bowl A Frame, Catch A Flick, And Live The Life At Multi-Million Dollar Restoration Project Gives the Former Home of The Shriners New Life, Focus, and Fun in the Heart of Grand Center

ST. LOUIS (December 29, 2004) - What was once prime real estate for Pigeons is now one of the most unique entertainment and living destinations in St.Louis. Today, Restoration St. Louis is announcing the completion of the ambitious, multi-million dollar renovation of the Moolah Temple building on Lindell. The $17.2 million project has not only brought the landmark back to life, it has given St. Louis its first massive single-screen movie theater in decades, plus an eight-lane retro-styled bowling alley, and 40 luxury lofts giving residents an incomparable view of this unique city neighborhood. There is truly nothing like it. The 110,000 square foot Moolah was originally built in 1913 as the home for the Shriners. The group left the building in the mid 1980's, moving to their new facility in Creve Coeur. Rodney Thomas, Chairman of TRiSTAR Business, purchased the vacant property in 1988 with plans to eventually convert the building into offices. Although a few businesses showed interest in the project, none committed to become tenants. TRiSTAR decided not to pursue its redevelopment plans, and the building was left unchanged. For nearly twenty years, the Moolah building stood vacant. By 2002, the property was in a desperate state, and bringing the structure back to its original grandeur would take an almost Herculean effort. Amrit and Amy Gill, considered two of the premier developers of historic properties

In St. Louis, took on the massive project. The Gills have been active in redevelopment since 1991 and their company, Restoration St. Louis responsible for the Moolah rehab. "When we first toured the Moolah in 2002, it was in extreme disrepair,"says Amy Gill of Restoration St. Louis." "We had to carefully maneuver our way through piles of discarded wood and debris. Pigeons were living in every crack and crevice. The paint was peeling and the floor was cracked and damaged. It was heartbreaking. But, even with all that was wrong with the building, we knew it could be rescued. The incredible architecture, the Moorish influences in the design, the vast space. this building was a treasure that needed to be restored."

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