Established in 1993 by the Central West End Association’s Board of Directors, the Renaissance Award annually recognizes select organizations which have made a positive economic or social impact on the Central West End (CWE) neighborhood in Saint Louis, Missouri. The inspiration for the Renaissance Award comes from its inaugural recipient, Leon Strauss, a prominent urban pioneer and preservationist responsible for developing the CWE’s DeBaliviere Place and Kingsbury Square, in addition to many revitalization efforts throughout Saint Louis City.
Renaissance Award Recipients
2023 Wolfgang’s Pet Stop
2022 The Muny
2021 Brennan’s
2020 CWE North Community Improvement District (CWENCID)
2019 Left Bank Books
2018 The World Chess Hall of Fame
2017 The Royal Vagabonds
2013 Wade Crowder
2012 Doug Auer and Jim McKelvey, Third Degree Glass Factory
2011 John McPheeters, Bowood Farms
2010 Saint Louis Chess Club
2009 The Eleven, Inc; St. Louis Actors’ Studio; West End Grill & Pub
2008 Koplar Properties for the development of Maryland Plaza & Pete Rothschild and Jim Dwyer for the development of Maryland Townhomes
2007 Central West End Family and Friends
2006 Central Reform Congregation
2005 Central West End Bank
2004 Forest Park Forever, City of St. Louis Dept. of Parks
2003 Baskin Robbins, Bissinger’s, Café Balaban, Coiffures by Shawn, Duffs, Fellenz, Left Bank Books, Majestic, New Market Hdwe, Norton’s Fine Art, Rossino’s, Rothschild’s, St. Louis Shade & Hardware, Salad Bowl, Martin Schweig Studio, Straubs, 34 Club, West End Word, West Pine Pharmacy
2002 Herb Balaban (in recognition of his contributions to the success of the CWE) and Julius Polk
2001 New City School
2000 Chase Park Plaza
1999 Doorways (for their HIV/AIDS programs)
1998 Alderman Dan McGuire
1997 St. Louis University
1996 McCormack Barron (for Westminster Place development)
1995 Central West End Houses of Worship
1994 BJC Health System & Washington University
1993 Leon Strauss, Pantheon Corporation (for the DeBaliviere Place development)