Old Affton High School Has New Life

The old Affton High School, on MacKenzie Road, across from the current has a new life.

Once a school, then WAC Industries, then empty for several years, the old building is the new home to The Village at Mackenzie Place, senior living apartments under the Lutheran Senior Services umbrella.

The school was built in 1936-37 and became a junior high in 1955. It's on the National Register of Historic Places, according to an article in the South County Times, so the restoration has had to follow some rules, especially on the exterior.

It’s 20 market-rate apartments, plus 34 rent-controlled apartments. The old school building houses the 20 market-rate apartments, which range in rent from $800 to $1,400 a month. Many details of the old school building have been maintained, like the original proscenium from the stage.

Some of the first to move in have ties to the building’s former uses.

Joe and Peggy Niccum’s daughter, Kim, went to the original Affton HS, before going across the street to the new school. She was excited to show her parents where her locker was when she was a student.

The Niccums had a crowd helping them move in.

“I had my four girls, they’re like tomboys, I had my son, I had my grandson who’s 13, my granddaughter who’s 16 and my daughter-in-law,” Peggy Niccum said. “We moved here in four hours.” They must have been good. Niccum’s collection of glass angels survived without a nick.

Joe Niccum said it’s taking time to get used to.

“I’m used to the old house all hanging around me,” he said. “Lived on Laconia for about 25 years. Good neighborhood. A lot of people can’t take care of it anymore.” They are hoping to run into some people from the old neighborhood in their new home.

Clarice Prionas was the first to move in. She wanted to come here because her son worked for WAC Industries sorting mail for “20 or 30” years, she said. He still lives right up the street.

“It all works out for good,” Prionas said. “That’s why I put my name in here right away when I heard it was going to open.”