Here is an article in the PD about the new wheel and a little history on several other St. Louis wheels:
https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/the ... e7025.html
https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/the ... e7025.html
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Got a chance to preview the Soda Fountain tonight, looks promising and should be popular with families.
Few more photos from the grand opening tonight.
One thing about the wheel- it was a meh experience- 4 spins, goes slow, hard to take photos without glare (maybe non issue during the day)
Mini golf- they packed all 18 holes in a small area but it works well.
I haven’t eaten at Laundry’s in forever but their patio facing the lake fire and water show will be a nice fall/summer/spring spot.
Soda fountain- I’m not into 2000-3000 calorie meals but if you are this place is the place to do it- the freak shakes are huge and probably 1000+ calories alone
Overall I think this will be a huge hit and that’s even without the aquarium open
One thing about the wheel- it was a meh experience- 4 spins, goes slow, hard to take photos without glare (maybe non issue during the day)
Mini golf- they packed all 18 holes in a small area but it works well.
I haven’t eaten at Laundry’s in forever but their patio facing the lake fire and water show will be a nice fall/summer/spring spot.
Soda fountain- I’m not into 2000-3000 calorie meals but if you are this place is the place to do it- the freak shakes are huge and probably 1000+ calories alone
Overall I think this will be a huge hit and that’s even without the aquarium open
+2
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Given the perspective it looks like a pretty high angle. Either it's an aerial shot or it's using a telescope from, oh, the west end of Bellville. Either way, it's a great angle on downtown.
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I think it's safe to say that that shot was taken from a significant elevation.
But this still excites me. I want St. Louis to spruce up their nighttime skyline and streets with vibrant colors and this is an excellent start toward that.
I hope the renovated 909 Chestnut is bright and colorful whenever it is completed.
But this still excites me. I want St. Louis to spruce up their nighttime skyline and streets with vibrant colors and this is an excellent start toward that.
I hope the renovated 909 Chestnut is bright and colorful whenever it is completed.
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Went to the Soda Fountain yesterday for lunch and waited over an hour for a table. All the attractions were busy with mostly families which surprised me for a weekday and non Cards game day. This area is turning out better than I expected, can't wait for the rest of it to open.
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How much room is left under the train shed for expansion?
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I think they could have an entire theme park under the shed.
I've said it before in this thread, but I'll say it again. I'd love to see an outdoor, under-the-shed version of what Minneapolis-St. Paul has with Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America -- a free-to-walk-in, pay-as-you-play theme park that can also provide wristbands for all-day fun.
A roller coaster that swoops over the lagoon would be awesome.
I've said it before in this thread, but I'll say it again. I'd love to see an outdoor, under-the-shed version of what Minneapolis-St. Paul has with Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America -- a free-to-walk-in, pay-as-you-play theme park that can also provide wristbands for all-day fun.
A roller coaster that swoops over the lagoon would be awesome.
I love the roller coaster at the Santa Monica pier...but the weather’s nice year round.
^ Good point. Same issue could be said of mini golf too though, yeah?
I have to think that something like what Foundry is doing would have been a nice addition to the space. But no way could two of those concepts likely survive alongside each other.
I have to think that something like what Foundry is doing would have been a nice addition to the space. But no way could two of those concepts likely survive alongside each other.
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I’d say that the mini golf at Union Station isn’t their main draw and financial workhorse like a roller coaster investment would be, so it doesn’t really matter if the mini golf is out of commission for 30-40% to the yearbwcrow1s wrote:^ Good point. Same issue could be said of mini golf too though, yeah?
I have to think that something like what Foundry is doing would have been a nice addition to the space. But no way could two of those concepts likely survive alongside each other.
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This is similar to what I've had in mind for a coaster at Union Station, albeit by a non-defunct manufacturer such as Mack, S&S, or Gerstlauer. A coaster that's actually exciting (sorry, Santa Monica Pier, but yours isn't) and utilizes the available indoor (and outdoor!) space expertly would be a fantastic addition, I think:
Would make for a neat No Limits 2 project if someone wants to make a render.
Would make for a neat No Limits 2 project if someone wants to make a render.
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^Exactly. Union Station has an opportunity to have one of the most unique theme parks in the country.
I hope this is a first phase, with them dipping their toes in the water to see how it might go.
After visiting today, and actually riding the ferris wheel, I think they've got something that is going to make them a lot of money - especially with hotel, aquarium, and MLS visitors. But I also think the shed and surrounding area need more development if they expect to make money off of locals with repeat visits.
I thought the ferris wheel was fun, but it was also depressing to see all of the surrounding parking. Development of the Drury and Maggie O'Brien's lot, at the very least, should be part of their long-term plan.
As for under the shed, I definitely think they've got room to make it a fun destination, densely populated with rides and attractions that fit their train and history theme. I'd like to see a roller coaster or two wedged into that, but I think there are things they could add to make this a year-round, or at least late into the season entertainment destination, considering the other Christmas-time attractions they already have there.
The wait for The Soda Fountain was over 2 hours. So I think the framework is there for more. I just hope they go ahead and do it, because a ferris wheel won't stand out from the ones you can find in countless other cities across the nation - especially ones on piers or areas that don't overlook hundreds of yards of asphalt parking. But a ferris wheel that casts its shadow on an aquarium and full-blown theme park under a historical train shed, I think, would.
I hope this is a first phase, with them dipping their toes in the water to see how it might go.
After visiting today, and actually riding the ferris wheel, I think they've got something that is going to make them a lot of money - especially with hotel, aquarium, and MLS visitors. But I also think the shed and surrounding area need more development if they expect to make money off of locals with repeat visits.
I thought the ferris wheel was fun, but it was also depressing to see all of the surrounding parking. Development of the Drury and Maggie O'Brien's lot, at the very least, should be part of their long-term plan.
As for under the shed, I definitely think they've got room to make it a fun destination, densely populated with rides and attractions that fit their train and history theme. I'd like to see a roller coaster or two wedged into that, but I think there are things they could add to make this a year-round, or at least late into the season entertainment destination, considering the other Christmas-time attractions they already have there.
The wait for The Soda Fountain was over 2 hours. So I think the framework is there for more. I just hope they go ahead and do it, because a ferris wheel won't stand out from the ones you can find in countless other cities across the nation - especially ones on piers or areas that don't overlook hundreds of yards of asphalt parking. But a ferris wheel that casts its shadow on an aquarium and full-blown theme park under a historical train shed, I think, would.
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I know there is a lot of parking space but I think they will need it once all the attractions are running, the hotel is full and Enterprise Center has an event. I also believe parking is a major profit center for them so they might be hesitant to do much more build out.
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I hope we can get some attendance numbers on the attractions.... when the subsidy package was rolling through the city hall approval process the projection was one million a year. I could see that happening. 1,000,000 btw would be about the equivalent of three MLS regular seasons of 22,000 seat sell-outs or about 1/3 of annual zoo attendance.
Opinion after going:
I was a huge skeptic as I’m someone who rolls their eyes at Navy Pier in Chicago and tax incentives for tourism.
BUT excluding the lack of a lake, this was better. It feels more authentic and had direct access to mass transit. I couldn’t shake the thought that this development could change perceptions of STL for thousands of Union Station convention goers.
My partner and I used MetroLink to slide between Union Station and Stadium. It was great. I really really wish our downtown stakeholders could find a way to make MetroLink free downtown again. Especially evenings like last night.
I was a huge skeptic as I’m someone who rolls their eyes at Navy Pier in Chicago and tax incentives for tourism.
BUT excluding the lack of a lake, this was better. It feels more authentic and had direct access to mass transit. I couldn’t shake the thought that this development could change perceptions of STL for thousands of Union Station convention goers.
My partner and I used MetroLink to slide between Union Station and Stadium. It was great. I really really wish our downtown stakeholders could find a way to make MetroLink free downtown again. Especially evenings like last night.
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I'm glad for the change but the Hard Rock cafe must be regretting their exit at least a little bit.
Really looking forward to hearing more about Build a Bear's "experiential" store under the headquarters. Could end up being a huge attraction in and of itself. In the future STL could try to lure some other regional brands to set up similar experiences. The empty movie theater would be an obvious place to start.
Brainstorm:
Really looking forward to hearing more about Build a Bear's "experiential" store under the headquarters. Could end up being a huge attraction in and of itself. In the future STL could try to lure some other regional brands to set up similar experiences. The empty movie theater would be an obvious place to start.
Brainstorm:
- Kaldi's Roasterie with tours. Maybe even their version of Starbucks Reserve
- Brewery or distillery space with tours
- IMOS
- AB would probably consider doing something with it, maybe a tasting room/beer hall for their acquired craft brands
- Laser tag/go-carts
- E-sports arena
- Niche Museum
I am under the impression Hard Rock was forced out.GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑Oct 13, 2019I'm glad for the change but the Hard Rock cafe must be regretting their exit at least a little bit.
Really looking forward to hearing more about Build a Bear's "experiential" store under the headquarters. Could end up being a huge attraction in and of itself. In the future STL could try to lure some other regional brands to set up similar experiences. The empty movie theater would be an obvious place to start.
Brainstorm:This is also a huge opportunity for the city to activate and refresh Aloe Plaza. The fountain is amazing but an artistic restaurant space (think the City Garden Kaldi's) would be really cool to see. Would also love to see some chess tables
- Kaldi's Roasterie with tours. Maybe even their version of Starbucks Reserve
- Brewery or distillery space with tours
- IMOS
- AB would probably consider doing something with it, maybe a tasting room/beer hall for their acquired craft brands
- Laser tag/go-carts
- E-sports arena
- Niche Museum
Made my way over there for the first time Sunday night. I'd been to the Metrolink station a ton of times, but I'd never ventured over by the wheel. I have to say, there was an amazing amount of people there.
It felt almost like another city, all those people out on a Sunday night (maybe the minor holiday tomorrow was at play).
So many people at the Soda Fountain, and big late dinner crowds at Maggie O'Briens and Sybergs as well. Walking down 20th Street south of Market there were crowds where there would have been zero other people a year ago at this time.
Before going out, I was racking my brain/googling hours wondering how many restaurants would even be serving food after 8pm on a Sunday. The transformation is amazing.
It felt almost like another city, all those people out on a Sunday night (maybe the minor holiday tomorrow was at play).
So many people at the Soda Fountain, and big late dinner crowds at Maggie O'Briens and Sybergs as well. Walking down 20th Street south of Market there were crowds where there would have been zero other people a year ago at this time.
Before going out, I was racking my brain/googling hours wondering how many restaurants would even be serving food after 8pm on a Sunday. The transformation is amazing.
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Whosoever responsibility it is: the lighting along Market specifically along Union Station needs to be better lit. It is VERY dark along that section of parking along either side of Market
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It will be done in about 3 weeks, I pointed this out to someone at LHM and he said they’ll get better lighting within 3-4 weeks. It’s not that it’s just dark it’s a mix match of type of lights that are in place toochris fuller wrote: ↑Oct 14, 2019Whosoever responsibility it is: the lighting along Market specifically along Union Station needs to be better lit. It is VERY dark along that section of parking along either side of Market
I also suggested to them to light up the clock tower (I have a view of it from my place in park pacific and barely noticeable at night) they said they like the idea