Largest Issue Ever in the History of Sophisticated Living St. Louis Hot off the Presses

by Grayling Holmes

Sophisticated Living Magazine always has its finger on the pulse of the finest St. Louis has to offer. With the September/October 2023 issue, we cover so much of the richest turf of the city and surrounding areas that we surpassed even ourselves and cultivated more pages of print ever produced in the eleven years of our publication.

Until you receive this historic issue in your mailbox, or pick it up at select locations, take a moment to peruse the digital copy of the tome. Within its pages you will find articles ranging from the unveiling of the remarkable 21c Museum Hotel to an in-depth in interview with the CEO of the Missouri History Museum itself. Peppered between articles we hope you find engaging and fascinating, are offerings from advertisers who showcase the superior services and products catering not just to your needs, but your whims. And look for your picture or that of a friend or colleague in our Celebrations section in the final gleaming pages of this and every issue.

As always, we present you with the best local and international informational harvest that, as usual, will capture the interest and imagination of any reader who wants to hold in his or her hands the feel of what a luxury lifestyle is all about.

Click here to enjoy our September/October digital copy of the issue.

There you will find intriguing and topical stories like:

Sleeping with the Artwork
by Craig Kaminer
Article excerpt…
Welcome to the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, a groundbreaking concept that revolutionizes the way we experience art. If you didn’t collect before your stay, you are sure to get the itch by the time you check out. Already operating in 10 cities across the United States, the 21c Museum and Hotel not only showcases contemporary artworks but also offers a luxurious and immersive stay for art enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Shining the Light on St. Louis
Under Jody Sowell, the city is the polestar of the century-old Missouri Historical Society
by Grayling Holmes
Article excerpt
Then 2020 swooped in and Sowell had to make some quick pivots. He oversaw “Uplifting STL,”a social media series featuring inspirational stories from the city’s past, and created a video “St. LouisStrong. ”The following year, he debuted as the host of STL History Minutes, which is aired weekly during CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” The museum also implemented a series of walking tours dubbed See STL (followed by either the name of the neighborhood or the subject, i.e. Urban Renewal, Gay Liberation in the Gateway, Downton Origins, Beyond the Ballot, Vietnamin St. Louis.)
Fast forward to 2023 and the current “Color St. Louis” exhibit, an interactive display where visitors can color on a St. Louis skyline illustration on dry-erase wallpaper covering the gallery walls. During peak hours, the lines snake out the door and the patrons are lined up in neat stanchions.

Jody Sowell, CEO and President Missouri Historical Society

Walbrandt
Smart. Einstein Smart.
by Christy Marshall
When these homeowners came to Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design, they arrived with definite requests: a modern house with plenty of open space and room for a family of five, an in-law suite for the husband’s father, and clear views into an adjoining golf course. And one more caveat: They had their eye on a highly desirable plot on one of Ladue’s country club grounds, which had laid vacant for 40 years.
How is that possible?“
The reason nobody had ever built on it was it has this unbelievable grade that dropped off front to back,” says Tom Wall, architect and owner of Mitchell Wall. But if they abided by Ladue zoning ordinances, the only option was to design a one-story house with a two-story walkout.