I wouldn't be surprised at all. Somehow the name Pyramid seems rather appropriate.The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Don't be surprised if Steffan ends up in jail before all is said and done.
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(rimshot)threeonefour wrote:I wouldn't be surprised at all. Somehow the name Pyramid seems rather appropriate.The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Don't be surprised if Steffan ends up in jail before all is said and done.
There are several HVAC and electric contractors parked outside the building this morning. Anyone know why?
I would think they are parked there while they work on repairs at the Laclede Gas building...just speculation
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Maybe the air conditioner quit working?Chris1 wrote:There are several HVAC and electric contractors parked outside the building this morning. Anyone know why?
way too funny.The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Maybe the air conditioner quit working?Chris1 wrote:There are several HVAC and electric contractors parked outside the building this morning. Anyone know why?
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According to the Business Journal, the RFP has been issued and there has been some interest, although there's no indication as to who the prospective developers are.
Proposals due Sept. 30. The city is willing to mothball the building if necessary.
Proposals due Sept. 30. The city is willing to mothball the building if necessary.
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Scroll down about half way: http://stlouis.missouri.org/development ... s/rfp-rfq/Alex Ihnen wrote:Any way we can get a copy of the RFP?
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The "C" document has some interior pictures. The elevator shaft is interesting.
There's also an aerial photogaph from 1952. The warehouses on the riverfront had already been demolished but the arch was not there yet. Interesting picture. Kind of sad, too. In 1952 Downtown was much more dense. It is odd to see the arch grounds as a giant parking lot. The 1971 map shows Busch Stadium.
It's amazing how much Downtown has changed over time. It's a shame in a lot of ways.
There's also an aerial photogaph from 1952. The warehouses on the riverfront had already been demolished but the arch was not there yet. Interesting picture. Kind of sad, too. In 1952 Downtown was much more dense. It is odd to see the arch grounds as a giant parking lot. The 1971 map shows Busch Stadium.
It's amazing how much Downtown has changed over time. It's a shame in a lot of ways.
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Re - elevator shafts. The elevator cars were dropped from the top floors by a previous owner in an attempt to get the building condemned. Why? So they could tear down the A/W and PB buildings to build a gothic style parking garage.
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Someone that stupid and dangerous should never be allowed to own a building.
Did it do any substantial damage? Do you think the building is an any danger?
Did it do any substantial damage? Do you think the building is an any danger?
I would bet on it being no problem for the building. Usually elevator shafts are pretty well built, and also all of the force from an elevator falling would be straight down so that should have been pretty easily transfered into the foundations.
In my opinion, if the building was in any danger, it would most likely have been due to environmental exposure.
In my opinion, if the building was in any danger, it would most likely have been due to environmental exposure.
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Proposal deadline pushed back. Interesting quote....
City development officials might be open to a variety of plans except one: Replacing the Arcade with surface parking.
http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... 78c22.html
City development officials might be open to a variety of plans except one: Replacing the Arcade with surface parking.
http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... 78c22.html
Developer wants to buy Arcade Building for $1, then rehab it
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^ Full story at the link.ST. LOUIS • A developer is proposing a nearly $80 million rehab of the vacant Arcade Building for companies doing business through the proposed Midwest China Cargo Hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
The plan made public Tuesday also calls for using parts of the downtown building as data centers, lab space and final assembly of 'small high-value electronic devices." But the primary use proposed by Global Facilities Development, of Encinitas, Calif., would be as a sales and office center for the planned cargo hub.
Bruce DeBolt, the company's chief executive, said he sees potential for the Arcade as an international trade center.
-RBB
This article makes the proposal sound like a big bag of magical thinking with little substance behind it. Has this developer ever exectued this type or development before? Have they ever done business with Air China, or any other foreign or multinational corporation before? Is a realistic and appropriate plan for the arcade itself to have it be a showcase for various foreign companies?
If St. Louis/Lambert were to become a China cargo hub (which is still a total unknown) I imagine most of the initial investments would comprise of warehouses and logistics offices in and around Lambert.
The idea that The Arcade will become some sort of cutting edge world trade center just seems to be way ahead of itself. I would much rather see an experienced developer convert it to retail in the arcade and along the sidewalk, office space on the first few floors, and apartments on the upper floors, in a more conventional and time-tested model.
"lab space and final assembly of 'small high-value electronic devices" What the? Seriously? They should also propose a monorail while they're at it.
If St. Louis/Lambert were to become a China cargo hub (which is still a total unknown) I imagine most of the initial investments would comprise of warehouses and logistics offices in and around Lambert.
The idea that The Arcade will become some sort of cutting edge world trade center just seems to be way ahead of itself. I would much rather see an experienced developer convert it to retail in the arcade and along the sidewalk, office space on the first few floors, and apartments on the upper floors, in a more conventional and time-tested model.
"lab space and final assembly of 'small high-value electronic devices" What the? Seriously? They should also propose a monorail while they're at it.
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Not only that but they propose that $68 mill of the $80 million dollar project would be financed through TIF and Tax credits...
The developer is screwed. I just bid $2. Your move, sucker...
I agree with Wabash's sentiment. Here's their website FWIW: http://globalfacilitiesdevelopment.com/
I agree with Wabash's sentiment. Here's their website FWIW: http://globalfacilitiesdevelopment.com/
I don't know, I really like the plan. It sounds visionary to me, but then again I'm practically a rube when it comes to such things. But to me, this sounds like an extremely exciting opportunity for downtown and for the region as a whole. "Retail, offices, and apartments" is tried-and-true as a concept, but I'd like for us to swing for the fences every now and then too.
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Wow. I am very disappointed that there was only 1 proposal submitted for the Arcade. Its also disappointing that the only proposal was for $1. I think the potential developer is greedy but what do you expect when you are the only one that has submitted a proposal. You set your own price.
I think the China Trade offices are interesting and am all for it but what if we don’t get the China Hub. What is the new primary use and is there a backup plan.
In regards to the data center, I am not sure if I am on board with a data center occupying such an important building like this. I would be interested in knowing how much of the building would be used for the data center. Some will say that they bring in jobs, which is true, however is it enough jobs for the amount of square footage it occupies? Do we really want the storage of data taking up space in such a beautiful and important building? I think not. I would much rather see residential take the place of the data center.
Where are the heavy hitters in the region? Does the region really have any idea or care how important this building is? Why can’t we create an interest in the business community to have companies relocate their operation in this building. Build a Bear just relocated to Sunset Hills. Why couldn’t we have attracted them to move into the Arcade.
I think the China Trade offices are interesting and am all for it but what if we don’t get the China Hub. What is the new primary use and is there a backup plan.
In regards to the data center, I am not sure if I am on board with a data center occupying such an important building like this. I would be interested in knowing how much of the building would be used for the data center. Some will say that they bring in jobs, which is true, however is it enough jobs for the amount of square footage it occupies? Do we really want the storage of data taking up space in such a beautiful and important building? I think not. I would much rather see residential take the place of the data center.
Where are the heavy hitters in the region? Does the region really have any idea or care how important this building is? Why can’t we create an interest in the business community to have companies relocate their operation in this building. Build a Bear just relocated to Sunset Hills. Why couldn’t we have attracted them to move into the Arcade.
^I agree with all your points. Without seeing the details of their proposal, I'm guessing—
This building has large plats. The windows/views are the best feature of the building but, you can't fill the entire floor with offices. That's why sliver buildings are being built. The 'data center' could occupy the core of the structure, while ample office/apt/whatnot would occupy the ring.
The floors with the most interesting features—the large, vaulted windows—would be reserved for human occupied space.
They are the only bidders so they can call the shots to some extent. Their website seems to project they know what they're doing regarding international development. The parent company (according to their site/google search) deals with building materials/fabrication in China and the US. It would seem they know what they're talking about. Furthermore, their interest seems to validate the China hub.
Looking for the silver lining in all this.
This building has large plats. The windows/views are the best feature of the building but, you can't fill the entire floor with offices. That's why sliver buildings are being built. The 'data center' could occupy the core of the structure, while ample office/apt/whatnot would occupy the ring.
The floors with the most interesting features—the large, vaulted windows—would be reserved for human occupied space.
They are the only bidders so they can call the shots to some extent. Their website seems to project they know what they're doing regarding international development. The parent company (according to their site/google search) deals with building materials/fabrication in China and the US. It would seem they know what they're talking about. Furthermore, their interest seems to validate the China hub.
Looking for the silver lining in all this.
Here we go....
Have Peabody buy it and make it their new HQ. Only have to move 2 blocks north.
Have Peabody buy it and make it their new HQ. Only have to move 2 blocks north.
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It may not be my best idea (and frankly I don't know what would be...), but I'd love to see a coal museum in the arcade of the Arcade Building. Why not?