ST. LOUIS, MO - Overlooking Missouri's Forest Park Grand Basin, the Saint Louis Art Museum stands just as proud as it did nearly a century ago, when it was built for the World's Fair in 1904. While the museum still presents a stately facade, the building's grounds were recently subjected to a much-needed upgrade - the Forest Park Improvement Project.

Among numerous outdoor changes to the Saint Louis Art Museum was that to the museum's highly focal courtyard/roadway. Those involved in this aspect of the museum project included the general contractor, McCarthy Building Co., Inc. of St. Louis, MO; architect Powers/Bowersox of St. Louis; landscape architect Spaid/SWT Associates of St. Louis; stone installer John Smith Masonry of St. Louis; and Laticrete International, installation products manufacturer. “In the past we've installed granite curbs but never an entire street,” said John J. Smith of the John J. Smith Masonry Co. “The pavers utilized in the project were all different sizes in order to create a special designed pattern. The museum, the museum's location and the area's history make the project noteworthy and unique.”