RIP: St. Louis Centre to become 600 Washington
Thankfully someone is doing the right thing with the near dead downtown indoor mall known since the early 80’s as St. Louis Centre. Pyramid is pulling the trigger and putting it out of its misery. It was a design failure from day one (see prior post).
From the BizJournal:
The $75 million redevelopment plan for St. Louis Centre, financed by National City Bank, includes 120 luxury condos priced between $155,000 and $800,000 or between $195 and $250 per square foot. The middle of the center will have the roof removed to expose a football field-sized open air atrium. Inward facing condos on the first floor will have terraces overlooking a swimming pool. A dog run and other amenities also will be included in the development.
On the ground floor, 80,000 square feet of retail will be available for between six and 12 stores or restaurants. Steffen said he has talked with several major national retailers about the space, including Whole Foods and Borders. “We’re looking at a lot of options,” he said. Pyramid Architects is the architect; Paric is the general contractor on the center redevelopment.
I’m not sure that a $155,000 condo qualifies as “luxury.” Typically condos in that price range qualify as “basic.” Sadly, even the larger units on the top end of the scale don’t meet my definition of luxury (commercial ranges, sub-zero fridges, steam showers with body sprays and rain shower heads, etc…).
I also like the “talking with” comment regarding Borders and Whole Foods, does that mean Pyramid keeps calling and they keep saying no? I’m not sure we have the density for either at this point but I’d love to see both. But, I think a large grocery store such as Whole Foods would do much better in the longer term near most of the residents and that is (or will be) west of Tucker. Rather than go with an outside chain store why not get a second location of City Grocers to open in the downtown area? Or another Straubs?
The only drawing I’ve seen of the proposal was a tiny one on the cover of the Journal’s print edition. Not much to go by but from what I can tell is looks OK. Nothing to write home about. It also appears a bit short. Here is what we do know:
St. Louis Centre will undergo a major facelift, including removing the green and white skin on the exterior and tearing down the skybridge that links the mall to the former Dillard’s building at 601 Washington Avenue.
Okay, what about the three other bridges? To the west is a bridge to the bank tower, to the east to a parking garage and another massive bridge to the soon to be Macy’s. The bridge over Washington Avenue is arguably the most important one to eliminate but the others are an issue as well.
The other thing is how the building is built over the sidewalk on three sides (north, west and south). Will this still be the case? What will be done to make the sidewalk less tunnel like?
And how do we get on-street parking around the building so the sidewalk is enjoyable for sidewalk dining? Seventh street on the west is only 3 lanes wide as it is. In fact, this is where cabbies wait before they pull up to America’s Center. Who will want to enjoy outdoor dining with a line of cabs idling?
It still amazes me how a $95 million dollar project could become virtually worthless 20 years later. It really shows the folly of thinking some big project is going to save downtown. The truth is it takes many smaller scale projects to build a neighborhood.
– Steve
“Who will want to enjoy outdoor dining with a line of cabs idling?”
As was discussed in the comments to your previous post on taxis, I believe there are ordinances that make it illegal for cabs to idle in such a manner. Of course, on-street parking is always welcome.
[REPLY – You are correct that it was discussed in a prior thread. However, the rule has to do with just randomly hanging out anywhere they like. Seventh street is an official taxi waiting zone for the stand at America’s Center. The line of cabs is where it is supposed to be per the Taxi Commission. The question is how will that jive with retail and residents on the street? – SLP]
“Rather than go with an outside chain store why not get a second location of City Grocers to open in the downtown area? Or another Straubs?”
Exactly – or, in the case of Borders, why not another Left Bank Books? Or some other home-grown independent? I have heard that the city is considering tax breaks for luring Borders… while Left Bank Books, a city business for over 35 years, has never been offered anything of the sort.
[REPLY – Thanks, I meant to make that point about Left-Bank. I’d love to see a second location downtown on the size of your typical Borders or Barnes & Noble. I’m sure with whatever carrot is being dangled by Barb the Left Bank owners could do a large store. – SLP]
My apologies, Mr. Patterson. I didn’t realize that the area you wrote about was a designated waiting area. That area should be moved when the renovation is completed.
[REPLY – First, don’t be so formal. And no need to apologize, I should have been more clear in the original post that it was a designated waiting area. Hmmm, now that I think about it I’m wondering how official it actually is? I’ll be down there later today so I’ll just have to see if it is signed as such. – SLP]
Steve,
Here are answers to some of your questions:
The massive bridge over Locust to Macy’s will be removed entirely, including the part over the sidewalks. The new building face will align with the existing storefront face that is now under the bridge (same for Washington). New storefronts will open out onto Locust. Pending approval from the street department, Locust will be restored to its original curb lines, which will allow for two lanes of traffic & parking on both sides. Parking on Washington would be up to the City, but we will certainly lobby for it.
The tube bridge to US bank will be removed. The current plan for 7th (pending approval from streets) is that the sidewalk would be pushed out from under the building and the new storefront placed at the column line, narrowing the street to two lanes. Parking probably would not be possible, unless the city would allow just one traffic lane for off-peak times. Structurally, and from a cost standpoint, removing the columns at 7th is difficult since that column bay goes 40 feet deep into the building. Alternately, the sidewalk would remain under the building.
At 6th street, the lower of the two bridges will be removed. The upper bridge will likely remain for use by tenants of the office tower (600 Washington).
The height of the building will be about the same, although it will appear shorter in most areas since there is now a 10 foot parapet around the entire block that will be shortened so that people on their roof terraces can see out. Also, at the corners of 7th/Washington and 7th/Locust, the building will be cut back to form outdoor terraces at the third and fourth floors. Along Washington, as the building is cut back, the face of an existing penthouse structure will now be in line with the new building face, so the building will be 5 stories tall at this area.
[REPLY – Thanks for the clarification Paul. This brings up a few more questions.
How private are these terraces given the adjacent buildings and the office tower? No nude sunbathing unless you are not shy at all.
The part about narrowing 7th to two lanes has me a bit concerned. While it makes less street for the pedestrian to cross it also reduces the public right of way. What if the 40ft bay were removed altogether that would allow the street to have on-street parking along the east side? Can you not add a new row of columns somewhere in that 40ft section? Yes, I know $$$. But what is the cost of fighting public objections to narrowing a public street? – SLP]
“I’m not sure that a $155,000 condo qualifies as “luxury.””
When it’s less than 800 square feet, it does!
“The part about narrowing 7th to two lanes has me a bit concerned.”
7th is already functionally two lanes, due to the taxi stand. If this can be relocated, then the sidewalk can be extended with no effect on traffic flow.
I’d prefer the building structure keep that column line, as it will visually narrow 7th, which is too wide due to US Bank’s “plazas”, particularly the gaping void left by the Ambassador on Locust.
The plaza on the Ambassador site is a disgracefully useless space. Hopefully Pyramid will put pressure on US Bank to build on it or do something to make it something more than the visual hole that it is.
This is great, great news for downtown, and I expect Pyramid to handle the design responsibly.
As much as I’d love to see independent retailers, I will not begrudge a Whole Foods or a Border’s a spot in a redeveloping downtown; rather, I would see these leases as a sign of strength. Downtown needs strong retailers and some of these deep pockets will be welcome.
I’m just overjoyed that the grotesque tumor hanging over Wash Ave will finally be excised.
Is there even a market downtown for $800,000 condos?
[REPLY – Yes, a market does exist for a few condos in this price range. The biggest demand is under $300K. – SLP]
Sounds a bit like the “city in a skyscraper” plan in Land of the Dead. It’ll be all nice and cozy until the undead decide to tear down the walls and feast on the inhabitants.
On the other hand, a city located Whole Foods would take away the only reason I refuse to shop ther.
I am so excited about the renovation of the St. Louis Centre! I wonder though how much of a pain it will be while the construction is going on…working on the opposite corner of the St. Louis Center on Washington, will parts/all of Washington/Sixth, Seventh & Locust be closed for extended periods of time?
I am very pleased, as well as anyone, to hear that the eyesore of a mall will be renovated into a more functional,useful, and appealing space. I am also glad to hear that the bridges will be torn down which will open up the streets to retrieve their former look. Especially considering the historical appeal that Washington Avenue, in particular, delivers with its warehouses and garment soon to be lofts district. I would like to see an independent bookstore or more grocery options for potential renters if they are in fact expecting people to move downtown. There are not alot of options by way of gas, groceries, or any other true means for people to meet their basic needs. If this changes, then I believe more people would want to move downtown and stay. In order for that to succeed, much more needs to be done…but it is a start…thank you once again!