Historic Preservation Commission approves demolition of 16 Hamill Avenue

The Webster Groves Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a demolition request for a 1922 house at 16 Hamill Avenue after a contractor representing the prospective builder described the property as long-vacant and extensively gutted.

The contractor, identified in the record as a representative of NJL Custom Homes, told the commission the clients — identified in the meeting as the Cosmies — plan to build a new house on the lot and sell their renovated home nearby. “We are asking to demolish a home that's 102 years old, but we're actually now going to save the Cosny's house right up the street and not ask to demo that one,” the contractor said, adding that the property has been vacant for roughly six years and changed hands multiple times in recent years.

Commission members discussed photos showing the interior gutted and noted failed renovation attempts. After brief discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the demolition request and the motion was seconded; the chair declared the demolition request approved. The transcript does not record the mover’s or seconder’s names or a roll-call tally.

Commissioners asked that the owner be provided historical materials about the property; the chair and staff suggested the library and local archives as sources and said they would pass along any relevant history. The commission did not specify additional conditions or a timeline for the demolition in the session’s discussion.

The approval permits the property owner to pursue demolition and replacement steps that are subject to applicable permitting and notifications required by city process.