It's not an issue, it's actually kind of a good thing. It means apartments don't have to be long and skinny with just a few windows at the end, they can be more square with more windows. From a developers standpoint, this does mean nicer units but it also means less rentable sq ft per floor / fewer units per floor. Which could actually work well for hotel rooms, which can't be nearly as deep as apartments can.bwcrow1s wrote: ↑Aug 17, 2022Why is the elevator core an issue when building apartments or hotel rooms in this building? Wouldn't, traditionally, you build efficiently from the center out? Same reason I never understood why apartments Millennium could have 'never worked' due to the layout (level of deterioration aside). Just have an ovular hallway from the elevators on each floor. Maybe I'm simple though.
Walked around City Garden the other day. There's about 15 windows that are boarded up on the north facade. Did they fall out? Get broken? Get shot out?
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/cri ... 4ff6b.html
"On New Year’s Eve, partygoers crammed onto a balcony, one of them firing a gun in the air, toward the empty AT&T skyscraper. Several windows on the north side of the building are boarded up, visible from the street downtown. Liese doesn’t remember the boards before that New Year’s Eve"
"On New Year’s Eve, partygoers crammed onto a balcony, one of them firing a gun in the air, toward the empty AT&T skyscraper. Several windows on the north side of the building are boarded up, visible from the street downtown. Liese doesn’t remember the boards before that New Year’s Eve"
- 9,539
The new owner of downtown's long-vacant AT&T tower, the state’s largest office building, has discussed selling it, according to people familiar with the matter.
No transaction has been completed, but the disclosure raises questions about whether New York-based SomeraRoad, which in April was identified as the new owner of the property after a $4.05 million sale, will ultimately redevelop the 44-story skyscraper at 909 Chestnut St. One developer who spoke with the Business Journal described being approached by SomeraRoad, which was offering a sale.
SomeraRoad officials, including founder and Managing Principal Ian Ross and Principal Fergus Campbell, didn’t respond to requests for comment.
SomeraRoad has declined to talk publicly about its plans for the building, since becoming owner of the property, often referred to as One Bell Center. But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in August that the developer's representatives at a tax appeal hearing said the firm plans a mixed-use development with apartments at a likely cost of $200 million.
In June, SomeraRoad began taking steps to get it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that would aid in any bid for state and federal historic tax credits seen as critical for a redevelopment project.
The National Park Service is evaluating the tower’s application for historic status, said Rachel Consolloy, a Kansas City-based preservation consultant with Rosin Preservation who aided SomeraRoad in the process. A city board signed off on the application in June, followed by state officials in July.
The building was built in 1985 and designed by St. Louis-based architectural firm HOK. Buildings less than 50 years old typically aren’t considered for the National Register, but a younger property could be listed if it is “of exceptional importance,” according to the guidelines.
Consolloy, however, said her firm has succeeded in obtaining historic status for several buildings under 50 years old, including two recent examples in Kansas City: the Flashcube Building, also designed by St. Louis-based architectural firm HOK, and Kemper Arena.
The tower has been vacant since sole tenant AT&T moved its employees in 2017. Gaining historic status would allow the building’s current or future owner to apply for state and federal historic tax credits as a tool to fund the costly redevelopment of the massive 1.4 million-square-foot building.
SomeraRoad has a history of pursuing historic tax credits for its redevelopment projects. Earlier this year, the firm sold another former AT&T office building, the Ohio Bell Building in Cleveland, to an investor after landing historic tax credits that will help convert the former office tower into apartments. That building, constructed in 1983, was listed on the National Register as part of a broader historic district that was granted official status last year.
No transaction has been completed, but the disclosure raises questions about whether New York-based SomeraRoad, which in April was identified as the new owner of the property after a $4.05 million sale, will ultimately redevelop the 44-story skyscraper at 909 Chestnut St. One developer who spoke with the Business Journal described being approached by SomeraRoad, which was offering a sale.
SomeraRoad officials, including founder and Managing Principal Ian Ross and Principal Fergus Campbell, didn’t respond to requests for comment.
SomeraRoad has declined to talk publicly about its plans for the building, since becoming owner of the property, often referred to as One Bell Center. But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in August that the developer's representatives at a tax appeal hearing said the firm plans a mixed-use development with apartments at a likely cost of $200 million.
In June, SomeraRoad began taking steps to get it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that would aid in any bid for state and federal historic tax credits seen as critical for a redevelopment project.
The National Park Service is evaluating the tower’s application for historic status, said Rachel Consolloy, a Kansas City-based preservation consultant with Rosin Preservation who aided SomeraRoad in the process. A city board signed off on the application in June, followed by state officials in July.
The building was built in 1985 and designed by St. Louis-based architectural firm HOK. Buildings less than 50 years old typically aren’t considered for the National Register, but a younger property could be listed if it is “of exceptional importance,” according to the guidelines.
Consolloy, however, said her firm has succeeded in obtaining historic status for several buildings under 50 years old, including two recent examples in Kansas City: the Flashcube Building, also designed by St. Louis-based architectural firm HOK, and Kemper Arena.
The tower has been vacant since sole tenant AT&T moved its employees in 2017. Gaining historic status would allow the building’s current or future owner to apply for state and federal historic tax credits as a tool to fund the costly redevelopment of the massive 1.4 million-square-foot building.
SomeraRoad has a history of pursuing historic tax credits for its redevelopment projects. Earlier this year, the firm sold another former AT&T office building, the Ohio Bell Building in Cleveland, to an investor after landing historic tax credits that will help convert the former office tower into apartments. That building, constructed in 1983, was listed on the National Register as part of a broader historic district that was granted official status last year.
- 2,419
I wonder if they're wanting to partner with other development groups to get this project done.
Sounds like they can't -- or possibly won't -- do it on their own.
Sounds like they can't -- or possibly won't -- do it on their own.
Word recently told was that the Advantes Group would handle apartments here. Sooo many people are doubting their ability to get those done, especially since Somera Road appears to want to get out of it.
- 23
Men on the roof of the short building today (800 pine/801 chestnut ?). They appear to be inspecting the window washer rail system around the top. Additionally, all the big round vents are active... spewing steam. This probably doesn't mean anything other than routine maintenance. But it was nice to see the pigeons get some exercise.
- 23
REALLY? that's wild... wonder why they don't hire someone to clean up what we call "the sh*t rocks" flower beds on the sidewalks... or spray down the bum-toilets on the side occasionally.
I had no idea. I have even less respect for that nasty company now.
I had no idea. I have even less respect for that nasty company now.
Or repair all the windows that have been boarded up forever. The list could go on.fatsheldon wrote: ↑Oct 17, 2022REALLY? that's wild... wonder why they don't hire someone to clean up what we call "the sh*t rocks" flower beds on the sidewalks... or spray down the bum-toilets on the side occasionally.
I had no idea. I have even less respect for that nasty company now.
- 9,539
The Beacon on Chestnut is now leasing office space ready for Jan 2026 (link to brochure in second tweet)
- 1,607
Great concept, totally embraces the mixed use idea. Penthouse apartments, standard apartments, office, hotel...rooftop deck and 43rd floor restaurant. Love it.
Parking? Seems dicey, but I'm all for this.
Parking? Seems dicey, but I'm all for this.
Well this is absolutely insane. That pool? Wow. I'm here for it though.
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
- 23
Yeah. I'm in too. Fingers crossed. I'll sign up for an apartment early if it'd help. I'll also stop flipping the bird every time I walk past - just to be nice.
- 2,419
This project could really help set off development fireworks all across downtown.
It needs to happen. I hope the city works with them and gets it done.
It needs to happen. I hope the city works with them and gets it done.
- 1,792
So are the current owners tentatively planning to this execute plan. Specifically, the apartments. The office and hotel would logically be leased.
Also am I wrong in thinking it should go penthouse, hotel rooms, apartments, office from top to bottom. Hotel rooms on 2-5 seems kind of meh?
I still say the city should look into subsurface parking on Serra Park to serve the rest of the building. The park would be restored (and ideally improved) on top so no loss of public space.
Also am I wrong in thinking it should go penthouse, hotel rooms, apartments, office from top to bottom. Hotel rooms on 2-5 seems kind of meh?
I still say the city should look into subsurface parking on Serra Park to serve the rest of the building. The park would be restored (and ideally improved) on top so no loss of public space.
- 1,607
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... e-stl.html
Biz Journal offers up a banal assessment of the project, though has rendering of the lighting, so thats cool I guess. Predictably the last 2 sentences of the article are about the limited parking on site.
Biz Journal offers up a banal assessment of the project, though has rendering of the lighting, so thats cool I guess. Predictably the last 2 sentences of the article are about the limited parking on site.
This needs to happen for Downtown to succeed in the next 5-10 years.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- 289
Seems like it will be very tough to get the office portion occupied in this market. It’s currently a buyers market for office space leases so why would a company want to take a chance on such an odd mixed building over a traditional office building? Will the rent be cheaper than elsewhere?