Syndicate/Trust Opens, Developer Hints at Coming Retail
Friday night was an event that at one time looked like it would never happen, a renovated Syndicate/Trust building had gala grand opening with a ribbon cutting by the Mayor. The reason it looked like it might not happen is that a previous owner of it and the former Century building wanted to raze both structures (the entire block) for surface parking. The city refused to issue demolition permits and this owner even got a court ruling to allow the demolitions. The city intervened and purchased both buildings to save them from the wrecking ball.
Of course the city did an about face and advocated the demolition of the Century half of the block in favor of yet another parking garage. No RFP (request for proposals) was issued by the city on the Century, it was just one of those done deals completed behind closed doors. Thankfully due to various lawsuits and flack over the Century an RFP was issued by the city for the Syndicate. Craig Heller’s LoftWorks partnered with Sherman & Associates (of Minneapolis) had the winning proposal over the now closed Pyramid Companies and perhaps others. Thankfully Pyramid didn’t get this project to or it would likely still be full of pigeons rather than downtown residents.
The Mayor in his remarks talked about how the city stepped in to keep both the Syndicate & Century from being razed — he starts to say “how we saved these buildings” — buildings plural. But then he remembered the deal to go ahead and raze the historic Century even though a vacant site was available for the garage. just to the North of the Old Post Office.
Here is a short video with remarks from Mayor Slay & Craig Heller:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUYB9z2tK4Q[/youtube]
Did he say a chocolate cafe? Yes he did! And a fast food place, a sports themed full service restaurant, a hair salon, an “acoustic music venue” and a wine bar. Wine without food? Oh no there goes downtown, where is Craig Schmid to the rescue? And finally he mentioned the inclusion of a “local bookstore” at the space across the street. Seriously, a bookstore? That is huge! All eyes will be on him as they make the official announcement about future tenants. I’m downright giddy about the addition of a locally owned bookstore to our downtown. As long as we can keep the city from giving major tax breaks to then get a Borders to move in and put the local place out of business.
Mayor Slay is correct that Craig Heller has been a downtown pioneer. When we had no grocery store he took a personal risk and helped open City Grocers. Heller was also one of the key drivers behind the push to get car sharing in the St Louis area. His firm, LoftWorks, is a sponsor of one if not two of the downtown WeCars.
Heller assured me this retail will all be in place and open before ballpark village opens. Congrats to Craig & George and welcome to the new residents, restaurateurs, and retailers.
Of course, it will be in place and open before Ballpark Village opens. Heller can’t afford to leave a building vacant for ten years.
I understand your sentiment Steve (from a planning and historical preservationist aspect), but you cant deny this is a great development! I think everyone was thinking that this downtown momentum was just another short lived revival, but now we see that the downtown revival is real and doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon (even with the slow economy). Just imagine how many developments will be given the green light once the economy is more stable. I think we just have to stay optimistic about the outcome, nobody can deny downtown is only getting better.
Craig Heller rocks. Despite the difficult landscape, politically, economically — the whole St. Louis mess — he has kept his head down and done his beautiful thing. The results speak for themselves. Go Craig Go!
http://www.syndicateliving.com That is the web site with information about the building. Any one have information what they’re looking to get for the condo’s?
I was at this event and was equally thrilled with the mentions of upcoming retail openings.
We just moved into the Syndicate and it sounds like the perfect time to have done so. To answer Dole’s question, we have looked at the condos and plan on buying here within the next 12 months, and the one we looked at was around 260, if I remember right.
I think the Old Post Office can still be revved up. Pasta House for lunch is a plus, for instance.
LOL my partner just told me he was right behind you when you took this video. He took the pictures of this event that we posted on our site. Did you record George Sherman’s comments?
“…before Ballpark Village opens”? Hm. Hate to say it, but I think the Lord God of Hosts will return to divinely chastise InBev and call forth the ghost of the Century Building Lazarus-style before BP Village opens. Unless, of course, BP Village is conceptually whittled down to some benches, grass, a fountain and attractively landscaped DNP*. I think such a version may be right on schedule.
*Desperately Needed Parking
Let’s not forget how the far-sighted City and State officials have offered Schnucks all kinds of corporate welfare to move in to the garage where the Century was. That may effectively put City Grocers out of business, and we taxpaying suckers are paying for that.
And to add insult to injury, the Missouri Development Finance Board wants to cough up even more money for Schnucks by loaning them money to open that store. They just can’t give enough money away to their demo-happy friends at the friendliest stores in town!
None of this money comes with any promise to keep the same hours that City Grocers keeps–7 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week. Knowing how dead it is at the OPO, where Pasta House doesn’t even stay open in the evenings or on weekends, I think we can lower expectations on what Schnucks will do for downtown.
This guys is a self made man and next to Joe Edwards, is THE most important pioneers in modern day STL! Cheer Craig Heller!