Chesterfield, Missouri, a vibrant suburb of St. Louis, is renowned for its historic charm and modern sophistication. The city is home to a variety of architecture that tell the story of its past, celebrate its present, and offer a glimpse into its promising future. Here’s a look at some of Chesterfield, Missouri's most notable architectural landmarks.
Faust Park and Thornhill Estate
15025 Faust Park
An absolute gem situated in the northeastern part of Chesterfield, Faust Park is much more than a traditional recreational destination. Established in 1968, Faust Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, spans 200 acres of historical and cultural significance. The park’s centerpiece is the Thornhill Estate, the 1819 Federal-style home of Missouri’s second governor, Frederick Bates. This historic residence, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, offers visitors a glimpse into early 19th-century life, with its period architecture and preserved interiors reflecting the era’s elegance.
Adjacent to Thornhill, the park features the St. Louis Carousel, a restored 1920s amusement ride that adds a nostalgic charm to the surroundings. The park also houses the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a striking example of modern environmental design, which opened in 1998 and is operated by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Showcasing a glass-enclosed conservatory dedicated to butterfly conservation, it was the first such invertebrate structure in the Midwest and the first accredited by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums.
The structure’s innovative use of light and space provides both beauty and practicality, and it is a gorgeous addition to the park's historic landscape and a must-see landmark. These attractions, set amidst the park’s natural beauty, make Faust Park a cherished destination for history enthusiasts and families seeking leisure.
An absolute gem situated in the northeastern part of Chesterfield, Faust Park is much more than a traditional recreational destination. Established in 1968, Faust Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, spans 200 acres of historical and cultural significance. The park’s centerpiece is the Thornhill Estate, the 1819 Federal-style home of Missouri’s second governor, Frederick Bates. This historic residence, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, offers visitors a glimpse into early 19th-century life, with its period architecture and preserved interiors reflecting the era’s elegance.
Adjacent to Thornhill, the park features the St. Louis Carousel, a restored 1920s amusement ride that adds a nostalgic charm to the surroundings. The park also houses the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a striking example of modern environmental design, which opened in 1998 and is operated by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Showcasing a glass-enclosed conservatory dedicated to butterfly conservation, it was the first such invertebrate structure in the Midwest and the first accredited by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums.
The structure’s innovative use of light and space provides both beauty and practicality, and it is a gorgeous addition to the park's historic landscape and a must-see landmark. These attractions, set amidst the park’s natural beauty, make Faust Park a cherished destination for history enthusiasts and families seeking leisure.
Century Houses
Various Locations
Chesterfield’s architectural landscape is dotted with historic homes that have endured as testaments to the city’s rich history and cultural evolution. These “Century Houses,” built over 100 years ago, reflect their respective eras' craftsmanship, materials, and styles, providing a tangible connection to the region’s past. The oldest among these treasures, the Laplante-Barner House (1836), located at 16120 Walnut Hill Farm Drive, predates the city’s formal incorporation and offers a window into the earliest days of European settlement in Chesterfield. Similarly, the Stevens-Coleman House (1840s) and the Byrd-Hoefer House (1850) showcase the influence of early settlers during the mid-19th century, who brought traditions of sturdy, functional construction.
Several homes in this collection illustrate the architectural transition during the Civil War era, marked by using local materials and vernacular styles suited to the area’s agrarian lifestyle. Others began incorporating Victorian influences, showcasing more ornate details and decorative flourishes. These homes are storytelling vessels, chronicling Chesterfield’s transformation from a small farming community into a thriving suburban city. Preserving these houses underscores Chesterfield’s commitment to honoring its past while enriching its present-day cultural fabric.
For history enthusiasts and architecture lovers, Chesterfield’s Century Houses offer a unique opportunity to explore the artistry and heritage of a bygone era, standing proudly as symbols of resilience and continuity amidst a rapidly evolving modern landscape.
Chesterfield’s architectural landscape is dotted with historic homes that have endured as testaments to the city’s rich history and cultural evolution. These “Century Houses,” built over 100 years ago, reflect their respective eras' craftsmanship, materials, and styles, providing a tangible connection to the region’s past. The oldest among these treasures, the Laplante-Barner House (1836), located at 16120 Walnut Hill Farm Drive, predates the city’s formal incorporation and offers a window into the earliest days of European settlement in Chesterfield. Similarly, the Stevens-Coleman House (1840s) and the Byrd-Hoefer House (1850) showcase the influence of early settlers during the mid-19th century, who brought traditions of sturdy, functional construction.
Several homes in this collection illustrate the architectural transition during the Civil War era, marked by using local materials and vernacular styles suited to the area’s agrarian lifestyle. Others began incorporating Victorian influences, showcasing more ornate details and decorative flourishes. These homes are storytelling vessels, chronicling Chesterfield’s transformation from a small farming community into a thriving suburban city. Preserving these houses underscores Chesterfield’s commitment to honoring its past while enriching its present-day cultural fabric.
For history enthusiasts and architecture lovers, Chesterfield’s Century Houses offer a unique opportunity to explore the artistry and heritage of a bygone era, standing proudly as symbols of resilience and continuity amidst a rapidly evolving modern landscape.
Farmers State Bank of Chesterfield
16676 Old Chesterfield Road
Constructed in 1914, the Farmers State Bank of Chesterfield is an excellent representation of late Victorian commercial architecture—the only commercial building along a street on historic early 20th-century built bungalows—embodying the architectural trends and entrepreneurial spirit of early 20th-century Chesterfield. The building’s distinctive two-part commercial block design and ornate façade are key elements that capture the essence of this period. The building’s façade is its most defining feature, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Mesker Bros. Company, a renowned manufacturer of prefabricated storefronts.
The second floor, adorned with galvanized metal panels, features expansive one-over-one windows interspersed with embossed ornamental panels. Slender columns accentuate the design, while decorative bands with embossed swags and curvilinear vine motifs provide an elegant touch. Topping it all is a deep metal cornice with intricate detailing, including a shell, acanthus-leaf motif, and fleur-de-lis brackets crowned with finials. The original paneled entrance doors and center brick wall remain intact, preserving the building’s historic character. Initially serving as a banking, postal, and telephone hub, the Farmers State Bank was a cornerstone of Chesterfield’s community life. It housed the local post office until the 1960s, maintaining its prominence in the area for decades.
Constructed in 1914, the Farmers State Bank of Chesterfield is an excellent representation of late Victorian commercial architecture—the only commercial building along a street on historic early 20th-century built bungalows—embodying the architectural trends and entrepreneurial spirit of early 20th-century Chesterfield. The building’s distinctive two-part commercial block design and ornate façade are key elements that capture the essence of this period. The building’s façade is its most defining feature, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Mesker Bros. Company, a renowned manufacturer of prefabricated storefronts.
The second floor, adorned with galvanized metal panels, features expansive one-over-one windows interspersed with embossed ornamental panels. Slender columns accentuate the design, while decorative bands with embossed swags and curvilinear vine motifs provide an elegant touch. Topping it all is a deep metal cornice with intricate detailing, including a shell, acanthus-leaf motif, and fleur-de-lis brackets crowned with finials. The original paneled entrance doors and center brick wall remain intact, preserving the building’s historic character. Initially serving as a banking, postal, and telephone hub, the Farmers State Bank was a cornerstone of Chesterfield’s community life. It housed the local post office until the 1960s, maintaining its prominence in the area for decades.
Old Bonhomme Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
14483 Conway Road
Dating back to the early 19th century, the Old Bonhomme Church is one of Chesterfield’s oldest landmarks and the oldest Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. The church’s simple yet elegant design showcases early American ecclesiastical architecture and accommodated the congregation from 1841 until the mid-1950s. Although a much grander campus of buildings serves the church's needs, the simple, original stone structure reminds of the humble beginnings of many of St. Louis' most enduring institutions. The adjacent cemetery provides a somber yet beautiful setting, rich with local history and character.
Dating back to the early 19th century, the Old Bonhomme Church is one of Chesterfield’s oldest landmarks and the oldest Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. The church’s simple yet elegant design showcases early American ecclesiastical architecture and accommodated the congregation from 1841 until the mid-1950s. Although a much grander campus of buildings serves the church's needs, the simple, original stone structure reminds of the humble beginnings of many of St. Louis' most enduring institutions. The adjacent cemetery provides a somber yet beautiful setting, rich with local history and character.
Downtown Chesterfield Development
291 Chesterfield Center
Finally, it's worth noting that a piece of architecture not yet constructed could change the face of Chesterfield and suburban St. Louis. At the site of the once popular retail hub of Chesterfield Mall, demo crews are in the early stages of clearing the 117-acre site for a $2 billion development dubbed Downtown Chesterfield. Though all will not be lost for the former mall, with the existing Dillard's and Macy's building remaining part of the plans, the former community hub from 1976 until its closing in August 2024 will otherwise be completely unrecognizable when fully built out.
Featuring modern and sustainable urban architecture with glass-clad mid and high-rise buildings, Downtown Chesterfield will also boast a central park, public plazas, and a bevy of pedestrian paths, including sidewalks, walking trails, and bike lanes. The transformation is poised to set a new standard for urban design in suburban settings, blending convenience with cutting-edge aesthetics.
Finally, it's worth noting that a piece of architecture not yet constructed could change the face of Chesterfield and suburban St. Louis. At the site of the once popular retail hub of Chesterfield Mall, demo crews are in the early stages of clearing the 117-acre site for a $2 billion development dubbed Downtown Chesterfield. Though all will not be lost for the former mall, with the existing Dillard's and Macy's building remaining part of the plans, the former community hub from 1976 until its closing in August 2024 will otherwise be completely unrecognizable when fully built out.
Featuring modern and sustainable urban architecture with glass-clad mid and high-rise buildings, Downtown Chesterfield will also boast a central park, public plazas, and a bevy of pedestrian paths, including sidewalks, walking trails, and bike lanes. The transformation is poised to set a new standard for urban design in suburban settings, blending convenience with cutting-edge aesthetics.
Discover More of Chesterfield with a Trusted Real Estate Partner
From historical landmarks that preserve Chesterfield’s rich heritage to modern developments that shape its future, the architectural landscape of Chesterfield, Missouri, offers something for everyone. For visitors and residents alike, Chesterfield’s architecture is a source of pride and inspiration, reflecting the unique character of this thriving community. If you're ready to learn more about a Chesterfield area home or investment property—or are considering a sale of a luxury home—contact Dillon Gray LeFan today to begin your St. Louis real estate journey.
*Header photo courtesy of Flickr
*Header photo courtesy of Flickr
