New tenant could determine fate of Dorsa features

What will happen to the basement salon at the Dorsa Lofts has yet to be determined and preservation of its curvy wall, stylized plaster cloud and other art moderne traits is not assured.

That's the word today from the broker marketing the downtown space for the new owner, a businessman from Columbia, Mo. Lord Partners broker Starion (Ronny) Cuka says preservation of the 1940s space is a hope but that the new tenant will have much to say about becomes of the place.

The building dates from 1899 but a remodeling for the Dorsa Co. in 1946 produced an art moderne facade, lobby and adjoining basement salon where the company showed its latest women's fashions to apparel buyers. Lofts occupy most of the building now but the old Dorsa lobby and basement area remain vacant and largely intact.

Most remarkable is the small basement, which features a curvy staircase and a tiny stage. The salon is a mess and some wall plaster has water damage but the swoopy, art moderne characteristics remain visible.

Kerry Chao, who owns frozen yogurt shops in Columbia and Creve Coeur, recently bought the empty Dorsa space on Washington Avenue downtown. Abrochure touts the space's possibility as a restaurant and highlights the salon's stage as a potential performance spot.

Cuka says Chao has no plan for a frozen yogurt shop in the space and is ready to listen to a variety of ideas for the 7,500-square-foot location. The cost of preserving the art moderne features will be a factor, Cuka adds.

While the new owner understands the art moderne appeal of the space, what happens to it will largely be determined by a new tenant, Cuka says.

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New tenant could determine fate of Dorsa features