Saint Louis University has been an anchor in the neighborhood for many decades, and has acted as the major stabilizing force during Midtown's decline and resurgence. Founded in 1818, the school moved here from a downtown location in 1888. The University owns several historic buildings, including St. Francis Xavier Church at Lindell and Grand. The original campus buildings are a unified group in an exhuberant Gothic style, with a traditional campus-style core.

West of Xavier Church, a line of historic campus buildings faces the fraternal buildings across Lindell. Verhaegen Hall, at center, is typical of the academic Gothic style used on the original campus buildings. The tower of Cook Hall rises in the far distance.