The masterplan for St. Louis’ technology district, called CORTEX, included a significant green space. Originally formed in 2002, the green space is just now being completed. Here is how they describe the CORTEX campus:
The intent of the CORTEX Master Plan is to create well-designed public open spaces that will contribute significantly to the quality of life within the district, community and city. The Master Plan calls for the creation of the CORTEX Commons, a public park that will be accessible to all who work and live in the district and surrounding neighborhoods.
The Commons: right in front of the @4240 entrance you’ll find a beautiful green space with areas for relaxing, meeting, or just enjoying the fresh air.
Restaurants/Cafes: surrounding the @4240 building will be cafes, restaurants and other places to grab lunch, dinner, or have cocktails after work.
Living Space: within walking distance of @4240 are lofts, apartments and other living spaces that allow for a commute that is literally minutes away.
Shops: retail space will be part of the new Phase II expansion, providing convenient shopping and unique boutiques all within a short stroll of the office and laboratory space.
Transportation: getting to and from work will be simplified for those driving as well as those wishing to use public transportation. A new highway interchange at the major east-west Interstate 64 provides convenient access for drivers, plus a new MetroLink light rail station will be within a block of the @4240 building.
The visitor sees lush landscaping, at right is the new BJC @ The Commons buildingTurning to the left we see the sidewalk follows the curve of Boyle. The orange circle is the logo for the CORTEX Commons. In a couple of places the sidewalk make a sharp shift.An open area hardscape area to the West of the buildingLooking back toward Clayton we can see the sign marking the rain garden and the patio beyond. I couldn’t get close enough to the sigh to read the body text. Numerous such signs throughout are also too far away to be read.Looking North from the patio, the movable tables & chairs are better than fixed furnishings — allows people to rearrange.Back out by the hardscape circle, looking NorthHeading North on the Boyle sidewalk these plants in the rain garden are already reducing the sidewalk width. This is the only plant choice I didn’t like.We can now see the light rail line, known as MetroLink, divides the space. Will discuss the renovated building in the background later in this post.The sidewalk narrows at the track crossing, this is the low point in the experience.With the train gone we can cross.Looking back South after having crossed the two MetroLink tracks and a third extra track (nearest)Looking back North we are again faced with the sidewalk making a hard shift to the right. The parked cars on Boyle don’t have a bulb out to enclose the parking lane.Turning toward the Southeast we can see an unfinished spot, this is likely to connect to the new light rail station to be built. Hopefully the track crossing will be improved at that time.Approaching the @4240 buildingLooking North. DuPont, formerly Solae, is across Boyle on the left.Turning Eastward we see the centerpiece shade canopy.Looking North at the canopy, the same movable tables & chairs are used.Back at the sidewalk parallel with Boyle we see the first of numerous connections to draw you into the space from the edge.The Northernmost of the connections leads right to the @4240 building entrance, more on that in a bit.Looking back South along the Boyle sidewalkLooking diagonally into the CORTEX CommonsLooking East along Duncan Ave, the main East-West spine in the district.Looking South from a position closer to the @4240 building we see another patio with the same movable furnishings. Most of this area is a metal grate over a rain garden.Looking back West toward Boyle, with DuPont/Solae in the backgroundBack in the Commons we can approach the @4240 building after crossing the rain garden on the metal grate pedestrian bridge — love this!Another pf the informational signs that can’t be read from the paved areasLooking out to Boyle & Duncan we can see the South facade of the first CORTEX building. It was built without an ADA-complianfr accessible route and hasn’t yet been correctedThe paving clearly directs the user to the entry but the the curb on this side of the drive prevents me from continuingThe view out from the entry shows the accessible entry on the near side and the non-accessible curb on the far side. D’oh!The next area, connecting to accessible parking, has the same problemAnd the next one, a good place for a raised crosswalkAnd again. Clearly, someone goofed! The disabled shouldn’t have to go all the way to the Duncan public sidewalkTo finish on a positive, here’s a detail I liked. Next to fixed benches are power outlets.Just lift the cover and plug in your phone, tablet, laptop, or wheelchair.
I hope get CORTEX to correct the accessibility issues to the @4240 building. Read more about the building and how it is being used here.
I really look forward to seeing the Commons when the retail spots get activated (and of course once the Metrolink station comes online.) The Tim Horton’s should open up next month (at the BJC Building on the south end) and the Park Avenue Coffee (in the @4240 Building) I believe by the end of the year. A cafe/restaurant is planned for the Tech Shop building at the northern terminus.
I also heard unconfirmed reports that retail may be coming as part of a mixed-use new construction building to go up on the surface parking lot for the Cortex One Building…. that would be awesome and really firm up the Commons as a publlic space.
In addition to being treacherous those rail crossings look like shit. Would have liked to see a bunch more shade provided. Either with larger trees (very costly) or other structures. Without shade most of the area will be unusable in the summer months.
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I really look forward to seeing the Commons when the retail spots get activated (and of course once the Metrolink station comes online.) The Tim Horton’s should open up next month (at the BJC Building on the south end) and the Park Avenue Coffee (in the @4240 Building) I believe by the end of the year. A cafe/restaurant is planned for the Tech Shop building at the northern terminus.
I also heard unconfirmed reports that retail may be coming as part of a mixed-use new construction building to go up on the surface parking lot for the Cortex One Building…. that would be awesome and really firm up the Commons as a publlic space.
In addition to being treacherous those rail crossings look like shit. Would have liked to see a bunch more shade provided. Either with larger trees (very costly) or other structures. Without shade most of the area will be unusable in the summer months.
good point on the shade…. there seem to be quite a few trees planted but we’ll have to see how well and fast they mature into a shade canopy..