The Franz Arzt House in Soulard, St. Louis, is a unique Second Empire-style residence, originally built between 1874-1876 by Dr. Franz Arzt, a wealthy immigrant and Renaissance man. The house stands out for its lavish Mansard roof, rare marble façade, original woodwork, and innovative 19th-century features, such as a grotto, radiators, and an indoor toilet.
Arzt’s interests in botany and science are reflected in the home, including its now-lost greenhouse, which the current owners, Joy Grdnic and Ron Stevens, are restoring alongside a historically accurate expansion. The renovation preserves the home’s historic integrity while modernizing it for contemporary use.
Built between 1874 and 1876, the Franz Arzt House at 2322 S. 12th Street in Soulard is a testament to the architectural grandeur of the Second Empire style. Dr. Franz Arzt, a distinguished physician, botanist, and linguist, commissioned this residence, notable for its abundant period ornamentation and pioneering features. Arzt’s passion for horticulture was evident through his creation of man-made caves, an aviary, and fishponds, and his installation of the first radiant heating system in a St. Louis residence.
Restoration began in 2015 under owner Joy Grdnic Christensen. Her efforts included removing the brick addition and rebuilding the historic greenhouse, which included excavating the limestone stairs, replacing 14 missing double-sashed windows, and adding mosaic tiles.
She also replaced other deteriorated windows, warped marble panels, and missing woodwork. All electrics and plumbing were re-run in a house that originally had neither. The restoration, which overcame many has rejuvenated the Arzt House while preserving its historic integrity. Joy’s dedication has transformed the residence back into a vibrant piece of St. Louis history.
Franz Arzt, an Austrian physician who arrived in St. Louis in 1867, built one of the city’s most distinctive homes in Soulard in 1876. Designed in the French Second Empire style with a mansard roof and Italianate details, the house featured innovative technologies for its time, including St. Louis’s first residential radiator, water heating system, and natural air conditioning using ducts and vents. Arzt’s property also included a grotto filled with imported stalactites, illuminated quartz, and rococo-style decorations, reflecting his passion for geology.
The home had a conservatory where Arzt studied botany, grew citrus trees, rare flowers like the night-blooming cereus, and kept parrots and a goldfish. A tunnel connected the house to its carriage house, allowing discreet movement. Arzt, fluent in multiple languages, was active in the St. Louis Naturalist Club and attended a local Bohemian Catholic church. Though the house’s conservatory was later covered, recent renovations have restored the property’s original grandeur, with a new wing added in harmony with its historic design.
