Finally - looks like a proposal right now - But pretty advanced drawings for a proposal - Row house infill and corner retail at 9th and Soulard - This has been a long time coming and will really finish off this part of Soulard.

This would really fill in that block nicely.

Of course on Nextdoor we already have people clamoring for that space to become....wait for it...a parking lot

This looks awesome!

I know this is whiny, but I'd like the proposal a lot more if there was a retail element included, at least at the corner of 9th & Soulard. 9th Street along this stretch is the Main Street of Soulard, and I think it's important to maintain retail at the corners, if not along the entire block. The Bogart's block is a good example of bookending residential with retail at either corner.

The site plan describes the house planned for the corner of Soulard & 9th as "Fee Simple Townhome." I assume that means it's a townhouse built to look like a storefront to fit in with the surroundings. Hopefully I'm mistaken and it's intended to be retail instead of someone's living room.

The real estate agent is responding to questions over on that "other site"

Project is coming back but as a retail building. I’m still trying to get the details but it will have 7500SF of retail space and 7 parking spaces. There will also be rooftop patio opportunities for tenants.

Always thought this was a fantastic opportunity for a French Quarter-esque boutique hotel.

Apartments and retail would be a big win though.

Latest proposal for this property by the same developer who did 1001 Russell (apartments and recently opened Boardwalk Waffles and Ice Cream) is for 32 apartments at the Soulard and 9th location--no retail. Bottom floor to have a store front look with the gym/common area for the apartments facing the street. Some neighbors are concerned 32 is too many for this location (previous proposal was 24 or so) 

No retail element on that corner is a huge missed opportunity. I also like the idea of a French Quarter style boutique hotel which Soulard doesn't exactly have right now. Something like the Four Points by Sheraton in the French Quarter would be fantastic. 

^I agree that a boutique hotel would be a great addition to Soulard.  There was a plan to put one at 12th and Ann but the Croatian Church that owns the building refuses to sell to anyone who wants to put residence or overnight stays there as they are worried about (sigh) parking. I think there will eventually be one but probably across 7th in Kosciusko when it finally happens. 

Baltimore Jack wrote: ↑

Apr 07, 2022

^I agree that a boutique hotel would be a great addition to Soulard.  There was a plan to put one at 12th and Ann but the Croatian Church that owns the building refuses to sell to anyone who wants to put residence or overnight stays there as they are worried about (sigh) parking. I think there will eventually be one but probably across 7th in Kosciusko when it finally happens. 

Getting off topic and really don't have a good feel of spots noted but isn't there some surface lots in and around Soulard Farmer's market that would work well boutique hotel, or maybe that is what is being referred too.    But can see why the thought of a boutique hotel would work well with easy stroll to neighborhood eateries, bars and short distance for catching a Cardinal game or check out the Arch in one direction and hitting a Budweiser tour in the other direction.

Really strange that this one is coming back. Good that it is.

dredger wrote: ↑

Apr 07, 2022

Baltimore Jack wrote: ↑

Apr 07, 2022

^I agree that a boutique hotel would be a great addition to Soulard.  There was a plan to put one at 12th and Ann but the Croatian Church that owns the building refuses to sell to anyone who wants to put residence or overnight stays there as they are worried about (sigh) parking. I think there will eventually be one but probably across 7th in Kosciusko when it finally happens. 

Getting off topic and really don't have a good feel of spots noted but isn't there some surface lots in and around Soulard Farmer's market that would work well boutique hotel, or maybe that is what is being referred too.    But can see why the thought of a boutique hotel would work well with easy stroll to neighborhood eateries, bars and short distance for catching a Cardinal game or check out the Arch in one direction and hitting a Budweiser tour in the other direction.

Yeah the surface lots east of the market is the area I'm thinking of. As that area is outside the Soulard Historic District we would likely see something more along the lines of the Soulard SOHO apartments just north of the market (which is is outside the historic district even though it's in Soulard neighborhood). 

Back to the 9th Street property this is about the 4th proposal in the last decade or so for that property.  I'm curious as to what you all think about 32 apartments for that lot. Too much? Just right? 

I'm curious as to what you all think about 32 apartments for that lot. Too much? Just right? 

My take: Just right.

I'm excited to get more residents in. I wish we had more reliable bus routes in the City and could even start doing TOD on bus routes, much less on Metro train lines.

This area of the neighborhood gets a ton of street parking and I've seen it full of cars on relatively quiet days. And the bars near here like 1860's provide free shuttles to the game(s), so folks park around there are then hop a shuttle to downtown.

The appearance of a storefront with activation via gym and other tenant amenities is, I think, just right given the current commercial leasing environment. The neighborhood has a bunch of under-utilized and un-utilized storefronts and commercial spaces still, so I think we can skip adding to the count with this building.

If I'm going to dislike anything, it's that my favorite patio, iTap, will be shoved in between two buildings if this development happens.

^Thanks for the input. I know 1860s and Llewellyns have combined their shuttle service this year so that at least means just one shuttle taking up spaces on the street instead of two. I do think an electric car shuttle similar to the one being rolled out downtown that would pick up at the parking lots across from the Market and run down the main streets of Soulard (9th, Geyer, Russell) could help with the parking concerns too. 

In complete disclosure I was President of the neighborhood residents group (Soulard Restoration Group) when the last proposal was made by the same developer just before the pandemic. That proposal was for a handful fewer apartments (26 I believe) but with storefront retail and a rooftop restaurant. That one did not get the push back this current proposal seems to have inspired even though the retail and restaurant would have caused more parking issues than a handful more apartments that are 1:1 for underground parking. 

Yeah the iTap patio will be a bit different with a 4 story building next to it, though it could provide some shade in the hotter months that it doesn't have now. I classify my patios as spring/fall (iTap, Rockwell) where sunshine is maximized and summer (Hammerstones, Venice Cafe) where there is more tree shade. 

Bummed about no retail-ish space for non-residents, but it is true there are a number of ex-retail spots in the immediate area that are now just residential.  Plus, if demand ever comes back, the space could be converted to another type of retail, I guess.  Although, the worst part is no rooftop restaurant...I think that'd be killer.  Not sure if it's the weather or what, but it seems we have a lack of rooftop choices around STL.  Or maybe the cost for that type of setup is just more than I imagine?

At the end of the day, though, getting this lot filled (finally) would be a huge win, so let's roll.  Does this one seem to have a better chance of happening than the other proposals here?  Side note: I hope they use different materials, or at least better finishes...the paint around the windows on the Russell building is already chipped and falling off in many spots.

Thanks for the update!

EssTeeEll wrote: ↑

Apr 11, 2022

 Does this one seem to have a better chance of happening than the other proposals here?  

I think so. I think the previous one would have happened were it not for the pandemic. I'd love to see a rooftop restaurant somewhere in the neighborhood too, so I'm a little bummed that one didn't make it. Not to sound like a broken record but I think eventually the other side of 7th will be developed with more modern design than would fit in the current Soulard historic district. And a rooftop restaurant on top of a five or seven story building there would have some impressive views.