The Jewel Box
Tucked into the southeastern side of Forest Park, you will find the Jewel Box. Not just a greenhouse, it’s an architectural statement in glass, steel, and symmetry.
Construction began in 1935, right in the middle of the Great Depression. Funded by the city and the federal Works Progress Administration (kids…ask your Grandparents), it was a project meant to give the people of St. Louis a sense of civic pride, as well as something beautiful to look at.
Designed by city engineer William C. E. Becker, the structure is made from over 16,000 square feet of glass panels, braced with a green-painted steel frame and anchored by Indiana limestone. The central ridge rises 50 feet, flanked by terraced wings that cascade down the sides.
The Jewel Box’s clean lines and geometric flourishes show off its Art Deco influence. Part conservatory, part cathedral, it has the elegance of a bygone era, when public works were built with permanence in mind.
Originally, the Jewel Box operated year-round as a floral glass house. Spring shows gave way to summer tropicals, which faded into autumn chrysanthemums and winter poinsettias. Over time, its role shifted. By the late 20th century, attendance had dropped and funding went with it.
In 2002, the Jewel Box received a $3.5 million renovation, reviving both its structure and purpose. Today, it’s a backdrop for weddings, receptions, small concerts, seasonal floral shows, and photography.
I’ve taken quite a few photos here. Some turned out great. Others were... optimistic. But I keep coming back. This building doesn’t need perfect conditions to be interesting. Its shape, its history, the simple fact that it’s still here, all of it adds up to something worth pointing a camera at.