We kicked off 2025 in full speed ahead to bring is dream studio to life. My crew- cousins Jim and Mike Hennessy, and cousin Bob Freeman, along with a long list of vendor contractors, worked in the cold of winter, rain of spring and heat of summer to bring this project to the finish line in early September 2025. How they did it, we really don’t know. What we do know is it was not an easy project by any means. Starting in late 2023 and dragging through most of 2024, while we waited on permits, materials and inspections, we managed to make some progress. In early 2025, we felt like we were getting someplace and the building began to take shape. Albeit, many set backs kept occurring, and there were many a day I felt like this place just needs a match.
My team of cousins really kept me in the game. They dug this project and Jim was truly a master at rebuilding this place. Day after day we would meet and discuss what was on the agenda for that day, and while it may have seemed trivial, each day put us a day closer to our goal. Mike was always jamming to tunes on his radio, while the did a great deal of the heavy lifting, and not to mention some of the worst jobs on this planet. I still don’t know what kept him coming back every day. Cousin Bob joined us mid-way through the year and he was brought in to really focus on all the trim work. He is artist at his specialty and did a great job of selecting the right woods for all the applications. That guy can really use a saw!
Along with my cousins, Jim patrolled and managed the many contractors we had on this project. From structural beams to concrete pouring and excavation, he watched over them like a guard dog. We were lucky to some aspects, most everyone was really great to work with, and I will add to this (because hardly anyone every says good things about these guys) the folks from St. Louis County Inspections really were great to work with. One group in particular was here so much I thought they were on the payroll. The guys from Mid America Electric did an amazing job running all the lines we needed to make this a recording studio.
So many of our contractors did great work, and I believe really enjoyed working on this project. Here is a list of all that had their hand in on this project.
But saving one of the best for last- Lauren Strutman Architects
Lauren and her team took a 130+ year old mess and helped to not only preserve it but make it into something special. Lauren and I worked together on several concepts of this old building and after almost giving up on it, she helped me create a space that is truly special and will be part of my legacy (to my family and City of Chesterfield). I chose Lauren for this project because she was really dialed into the whole preservation objective for the original city of Chesterfield. Having a unique aspect on what this area could be and mean to residents of Chesterfield, she added her skills and determination to keep this building alive and serving some purpose. The studio came about from my wife Marci, as a place where I can play and enjoy music. Something for me, not future occupants or renters.
Today we are busy making music, and I have many to thank. Both Marci and I have our sites’ set on many great things involving music, people and friends. We hope everyone gets a chance to come by and experience Studio 58.
LAUREN STRUTMAN ARCHITECTS
CUZ JIM & MIKE HENNESSY- JMHENNESSY CONTRACTORS
CUZ BOB FREEMAN- CONTRACTOR
BILLY ENGLE- EAR STUDIOS- studio layout, equipment and consulting
RODNEY BRADLEY ESCAVATING- all excavation and fill
MID AMERICA ELECTRIC- total electrical
GEORGE DAVIS CONCRETE- concrete pour
ROB ROY FLOORING- rehabbing existing floor
D&A PAINTING- all interior painting, staining
MIDWEST INSULATION- foam and roll insulation
CROWN WINDOWS- all windows
OVERLAND SHADE- all shades
FONTANA ASPHALT- parking lot paving
HOOPS LANDSCAPING- all landscape design, plantings and sod
HAPPY ROOF & SIDING- Roof, siding and gutters
FINCH PLUMBING – all plumbing
SCOTT LEE HVAC- HVAC system
FOUNDATION SUPPORT- Kyle Curtis
DSK STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING- Deborah Steger-Killius, P.E.
ULTIMATE DUMPSTERS- Materials Disposal
SWEETWATER MUSIC- Sound Management Equipment
TIDWELL DRYWALL- Drywall and Drywall Finishing
ROCKSOLID FOUNDATIONS- Foundation Concrete
ERWIN YU- Tree Removal
