#StLouisHistory Meets Modern Luxury. The iconic Hoffman Brother’s building is home to one of the most elaborate brick facades in the city. It was originally built and operated as a bustling produce market. More than just fruit and vegetables, the building also produced the start of famed actress Betty Grable’s career in the 1940s. Prior to fame Betty worked for her uncle that owned the store before becoming the #1 pin-up girl and the inspiration behind Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine! In the mid-1930s it was taken over by the Ferman Tent Company. In late 2019 Advantes Group still found the building, located at the corner of Lucas Ave and 2nd street, to still have some legs left in her and has since pinned 21 luxury apartments and 15,000sf of retail and office space under its roof. Location: City, Corner Location, Downtown