St. Louis’ Most Exclusive Neighborhoods

Missouri Mansions Series

Westmoreland and Portland Place are two historic private streets located in St. Louis. These streets are known for their grand mansions and affluent residents.

Westmoreland Place:

Westmoreland Place is a private street situated in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis. It was developed in the late 19th century as an exclusive residential enclave. The street is named after Westmoreland County in Pennsylvania, the birthplace of one of the developers, Edward Gardner Lewis.

Westmoreland Place features an impressive collection of architectural styles, including Victorian, Georgian Revival, and Tudor Revival. The mansions along this street are known for their stately appearance, large lots, and beautiful landscaping. Many of these homes have been carefully preserved, contributing to the neighborhood’s historic charm.

Portland Place:

Portland Place is another prestigious private street located in the Central West End neighborhood. It was established in the early 20th century and has been home to some of St. Louis’ most prominent residents. The street derives its name from Portland, Maine.

The mansions on Portland Place exhibit various architectural styles, such as Georgian Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Italianate. The grandeur of these residences is often complemented by gated entrances, expansive lawns, and meticulously maintained gardens. Portland Place has been recognized for its architectural significance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The entire neighborhood, 45 homes on Westmoreland Place and 44 homes on Portland Place, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Homes that have hit the market recently have sold for several million dollars as people still desire to live in the historic neighborhoods near Forest Park.

Many of the famous names that you see across the city were the names of families who owned the amazing mansions in the Central West End. The neighborhood was home to several powerful leaders of over the years, including:

• David Francis – St. Louis Mayor and future Missouri Governor
• Charles Stix, founder of Stix, Baer, and Fuller department store
• Edward and Anna Busch Faust – Anheuser-Busch
• George Warren Brown – Brown Shoe Company
• Dwight F. Davis: Tennis great
• William Orthwein: A swimmer and water polo player who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis