CityScene STL

22/01/2024

AHM's Downtown West project is up for review at the Preservation Board next week for the components at 2100 Washington and 2151 Locust. Want a look at the designs? Here you go.

Just one block north of St. Louis City SC's CityPark, on some grave lots on Washington and Locust, AHM Group is moving ahead with their series of developments. The first phases are up for review at the City's Preservation Board next week and will be the first new-construction residential projects in...

22/12/2023

The planned boutique hotel in Clayton's DeMun neighborhood is set to take a step forward.

For the first time in months, Ellen Reid's Hotel DeMun in Clayton's DeMun neighborhood is taking a step forward. The hotel, which involves converting two residential buildings into a boutique hotel, with a new addition on the east side of the property, is being designed by Core10 Architects. The cur...

29/10/2023

On September 25th, I wrote this post about the new high-rise proposal at 111-121 South Meramec in Clayton. Today, I published an update to the story showing the design has been altered a bit (less glass overall) and the height of the building was reduced slightly (from 246ft to 244ft).

Despite increased interest rates, and a difficult development environment overall, Clayton's boom continues with a proposal from Kansas City-based Revive Capital Development. This time, the attention, returns to the former 7-Up HQ at 111-121 South Meramec Avenue. 3 years ago, KDG (now known as Keele...

16/10/2023

The Midtown TopGolf (located at Compton and Chouteau) will be open soon. They’ve been having their soft opening.

09/10/2023

If you ride on MetroLink, and have been hoping for a better passenger experience, I have some great news for you: new trains are on the horizon.

On October 13th, Bi-State Development, the group that controls Metro Transit, will hold their monthly Operations Committee meeting and vote to approve the contract with Siemens Mobility for new MetroLink trains. The Siemens S200 light rail vehicles are currently in service on light rail lines in Cal...

25/09/2023

Despite increased interest rates, and a difficult development environment overall, Clayton's boom continues with a proposal from KC-based Revive Capital Development. This time, the attention, returns to the former 7-Up HQ at 111-121 South Meramec Avenue.

Despite increased interest rates, and an overall difficult development environment, Clayton's boom continues with a proposal from Kansas City-based Revive Capital Development. This time, the attention, returns to the former 7-Up HQ at 111-121 South Meramec Avenue. 3 years ago, KDG (now known as Keel...

11/09/2023

It's no secret that the Clinton-Peabody housing complex near Chouteau and Truman is the target of a massive overhaul. Now, we get a peek at what the future could be for Clinton-Peabody.

The Clinton-Peabody housing project on Chouteau near Truman is beginning to show its age. Originally built in 1942 and designed to house 950 residents, the complex houses far fewer residents than necessary due to maintenance issues and safety perceptions. Earlier this year, local media reported that...

11/09/2023

On Locust between Leffingwell and Jefferson, the JCMidtown project is slowly coming together. With the Beaumont Building open as "Malone" (72 apartments) and the former Ed Rohr now home to 5 businesses, a 175-unit apartment building is now becoming clearer.

Tower Real Estate Group's "JCMidtown" development, on the two blocks of Locust between Leffingwell and Jefferson, could get a huge boost if a large multi-family building planned there moves forward. Cooper at JCMidtown is a 7-story mixed-use apartment building that will take up space currently occup...

06/05/2023

In my first post on the website since December 30th, I share a first look at the renderings for the redevelopment of the Chemical Building in Downtown.

It's great to see this grand building visualized this way. Can't wait to see it come back to life.

We now have our first look at what the redevelopment of the Chemical Building into a 240-room dual-brand hotel (Residence Inn & Springhill Suits by Marriott) looks like. J.T. Campo Architects posted these images on their website showing what the beloved building will look like after redevelopment. I...

12/01/2023

ALBION WEST END APPROVED

Last night, the St. Louis Planning Commission approved of the blighting study for the Albion West End project on a vote 7 yes, 1 no and 1 “present”. Alderman Mike Gras, who represents the 28th Ward and not the Ward the project is in, will introduce the Board Bill to the Board of Aldermen tomorrow to advance the blighting study and tax abatement (10 years at 45%).

This comes after opposition to the project by 17th Ward Alderwoman Tina Pihl.

Over the life of the abatement, taxes on the property will increase from $60,000 to $400,000. After the abatement period ends, property taxes will be over $1.4 Million. The economic benefits will also be felt from the residents, who will pay their own taxes and shop/dine in the neighborhood.

Progress, basic math, and reason prevail over politics which will benefit the city in the long term.

Costs have increased 10% since the project’s unveiling last February. Persistent inflation and increased interest rates are to blame for the increased costs and subsequent incentive request.

If all goes well, expect construction to start in the 4th Quarter of 2023.

The development team is Koplar Properties and Albion Residential. The architect is Hartshorne Plunkard of Chicago. A builder has not yet been selected. The project includes 293 apartments, 340 parking spaces, 1500sf of retail and a public plaza. Costs are currently set at $145 Million.

31/12/2022

A boutique hotel could occupy a 3-story building, and a new addition, in the DeMun Business District if plans by Ellen Reid and Core10 Architects are approved and advance in Clayton.

A development plan, submitted by Ellen Reid of the Reid Group Luxury Real Estate to the City of Clayton on December 29th, details a plan for a new hotel in the DeMun Business District. It would be the first of its kind for the neighborhood. The proposed hotel will reside in two apartment buildings a...

17/12/2022

Six years after Green Street announced their intention to redevelop Midtown's long-vacant Armory Building, the public can visit enter the landmark and make new memories as the reimagined building finally opened its doors.

Six years after Green Street announced their intention to redevelop Midtown's long-vacant Armory Building, the public can now enter the landmark and make new memories as the reimagined building finally opened its doors.

12/12/2022

In Clayton, Green Street and Sterling Bank's plan for a high-rise mixed-use building at 50 South Bemiston has returned, grown in height, shrunk in overall scope, and has a refined design.

Back in February, Green Street, along with Sterling Bank and HDA Architects, submitted a plan to the city of Clayton for a 20-story apartment tower at 50 South Bemiston. The site is currently home to a Sterling Bank branch and some Mid-Century office buildings. Earlier this fall, the project was pul...

12/12/2022

The year-end rush of projects is here, and tax abatement hearings for 5 projects and a development agreement on one project are on tomorrow's LCRA agenda. That's in addition to this morning's Grandview Arcade announcement by Lutheran Development Group.

The end of year rush of projects is here, and beyond big ones like 909 Chestnut or 50 South Bemiston or the tax abatement request for Albion West End, there are a series of projects being announced and/or seeking a tax incentive to make possible all across the City of St. Louis. The December 13th LC...

12/12/2022

The long-awaited redevelopment of 909 Chestnut (the AT&T Building) in downtown is now inching closer to a reality. With this project, that leaves downtown with one more monster vacant building - The Railway Exchange.

The 44-story, 1.4 Million Square Foot, AT&T Building at 909 Chestnut in Downtown is set to be redeveloped in a mixed-use redevelopment that only makes sense for a building of this size. The largest vacant building in the state has a redevelopment plan to become a "vertical city". Plans, detailed in....

17/11/2022

Last night, history was made in Downtown West at CityPark as the stadium's doors were opened to soccer fans for the first time. Even better was that the City2 vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen game was sold out, putting the stadium to the ultimate test.

Yesterday marked a historic milestone for CityPark, formerly known as Centene Stadium, in Downtown West - it opened its doors to soccer fans ushering in a new era for the surrounding neighborhood. After over two years of construction, and years of anticipation, St. Louis City SC put on quite the sho...

15/11/2022

The transformational Gateway South development took another step forward today. A tax abatement request was reviewed at the LCRA meeting this afternoon.

This post includes a new rendering showing an expanded view of the development.

The $1.2 billion Gateway South development, which was initially unveiled in August, is inching ahead with a tax abatement request. Good Developments Group (GDG) went before the LCRA Board today (November 15th) regarding a request for a tax abatement. According to the SLDC, the proposed tax abatement...

21/10/2022

Several historic homes on the western end of the Grove could be demolished to make way for a new apartment building if plans are approved by the Preservation Board next week.

Grove Properties, a firm headquartered in the Forest Park Southeast (Grove) neighborhood, has proposed a 4-story, 71-unit apartment building on Manchester near Kingshighway. The address of the development is 4534-56 Manchester. The site is currently home to a series of vacant homes and two-family bu...

07/10/2022

In case you missed it: A large, 206-unit apartment building just north of Downtown Clayton has been proposed to replace a grassy field. The buildings that previously stood on site were demolished in May 2020.

At 201-215 North Meramec, just north of Downtown Clayton, lies a field where several buildings used to stand. In May 2020, two office buildings and an apartment building were demolished with no development plan known. Uncertainty surrounding the future of the pandemic, and economy at the time, made....

04/10/2022

A little over 2 years since the buildings at 201-215 Meramec in Clayton were demolished, a proposal for a large apartment building by Keeley Properties has emerged.

At 201-215 North Meramec, just north of Downtown Clayton, lies a field where several buildings used to stand. In May 2020, two office buildings and an apartment building were demolished with no development plan known. Uncertainty surrounding the future of the pandemic, and economy at the time, made....

02/09/2022

I went down to Chouteau's Landing today to assess the present-day conditions. I took this picture to serve as a "before" shot for the planned "after". Roaming around the area a bit, it's clear that just infrastructure enhancements will make the area look significantly better. Things like sidewalks, new roads, buried powerlines, and trimmed grassy lots will all work together to make the area look better.

02/09/2022

Could a hotel finally rise at the corner of Clayton Road and Brentwood Boulevard? If built, the hotel would be the first of the brand in the region and state.

The grassy lot at the southeast corner of the Clayton Road and Brentwood Boulevard intersection has been vacant for a while now, but new plans could change that. After years of hotel proposals coming and going for this parcel, Boudoures recently started marketing restaurant space on the ground floor...

29/08/2022

If approved, a massive development on the west end of the Delmar Loop, apparently by Lux Living, could make the area significantly more urban. Unlike what OPUS planned here, it appears the new project preserves the facade of the Craft Alliance building.

A proposal, apparently by Lux Living, has emerged for the 6630 Delmar site on the Delmar Loop in University City. Continuing on their quest for new developments in St. Louis, Lux Living has proposed a 7-story apartment building at 6630 Delmar on the Delmar Loop, tentatively, and apparently, named "T...

17/08/2022

The Grove has been rapidly transformed over the past several years, and it's not done yet.

Two new projects on Manchester will add to this transformation while also echoing back to a time when smaller structures being built was the norm citywide.

As our city's building boom enters its second decade, redefining development in the Grove might just lead to a positive change in development patterns elsewhere in the city.

13/08/2022

It's been delayed for years, but it seems like now might just be the time for the redevelopment of the Jefferson Arms to shine.

The redevelopment of the Jefferson Arms building in downtown is back on track after the city's Clean Energy Development Board approved PACE financing for the project. This step secured financing for the over $145 Million project. Plans call for the building to be redeveloped into 225 apartments, 235...

11/08/2022

A massive development plan that will reshape the South Riverfront is in the works by Good Developments Group and it aims to "position St. Louis as the advanced construction manufacturing capital of America".

Good Developments Group, a firm founded and operated by former employees with New York City-based JDS Development Group, is pursuing an 80-acre project that includes Chouteau's Landing and areas south. Conceptual plans currently peg the development cost at $1.2 Billion. On August 11th, the project t...

11/08/2022

In this post, I spotlight St. Louis City SC’s home in Downtown West, Centene Stadium, as well as the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood. Get a sneak peek inside of the stadium as well.

In short, it exceeded my expectations.

St. Louis gets a soccer team and a world-class stadium campus while Downtown West becomes the city's next "hot" neighborhood. For roughly 2.5 years, construction workers have been hard at work delivering a long-awaited facility to the St. Louis sports scene - Centene Stadium. Soccer fans and normal....

01/08/2022

For Lux Living, the pursuit of the new remains at the forefront of what they company does. That's evident in their recent push for large-scale developments in the suburbs. But controversy and issues are knocking and they're apparently going unresolved.

Note: This story was written by a former Lux Living employee.

Lux Living, the developer who pursued a project at the Optimist site in the Central West End and the row of vacant buildings on Kingshighway at Oakland, and has proposed a revised project at the Engineers Site on Lindell, is now pushing into the St. Louis suburbs. Two new projects, one that would re...

26/07/2022

It’s happening. A $22 Million building permit was issued and when I went by the other day, it looked like the ball fields at Compton and Chouteau were closed off with a small crew in there digging.

Story from June 15th, 2021 where I mapped out the project and verified that this is actually where a TopGolf is going.

The long-rumored Midtown St. Louis Topgolf has been more or less confirmed by FAA applications for the facility's net poles and clubhouse. The St. Louis Region's second Topgolf location has long been rumored to be planned, and eventually built, on a series of St. Louis University owned parcels betwe...

29/06/2022

The St. Louis development map has been updated to reflect a number of projects being recently completed, others moving to the construction phase, tower cranes going up & down, new projects being proposed, and a revised North-South MetroLink alignment being presented.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1KzDGi7dvQy4DqFjK0sHnlj3w3FM&usp=sharing

Includes layers by year the project is expected to wrap up. Everything is color-coded based on project type. Some renderings included. UC stands for Under Construction. P means proposed. KEY: Red: Office Maroon: Government Orange: Retail/Restaurant Yellow-Orange: Entertainment Green: Bank Dark Green...