urbanSTL

KansasCitian wrote:The Wednesday night concerts at the Missouri Botanical Garden seem wildly popular. People were walking from quite a few blocks away to go to the Garden and catch the show. My wife and I were unable to go because we were running errands, but we drove through the area a couple of times that night and found it to be incredible how many people were attending. 

We STOPPED going to those concerts (Whitaker) because they were getting too crowded and we could never find a spot to lay a blanket in view of the band unless you got there at 4pm (which we can't due to work). 

The crane was jumped. The top of the One Cardinal Way crown will be near the tip of the crane. There will be one more jump after this. 

kipfilet wrote:We STOPPED going to those concerts (Whitaker) because they were getting too crowded and we could never find a spot to lay a blanket in view of the band unless you got there at 4pm (which we can't due to work). 

Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded. -Yogi Berra

Anyone know what's going into the building with the One Fitness? Anything to get excited about?

Well, did we ever find out what that "egg" announcement was about? 

Eggsellent question. Btw I think you referenced hope for a second Egg location at BPV; one should be opening before too long on Locust in Midtown to take that honor.

I was hoping for a second Egg location in BPV, but I will gladly settle for the one on Locust in Midtown. That should be a sweet location for them. 

Hands down, it's my favorite breakfast that I've had in St. Louis. 

The egg thing is an event scheduled for September 22nd. It will be called The Bacon and Brunch festival. Tickets range from $10-$200/

Any word on OCW2?

goat314 wrote:Any word on OCW2?

Had a meeting about it. Pushed back for now. Phase 3 will be done depending on demand. If OCW does well, there is the issue with 300 South Broadway, even though we don't know how bug they'll go. So right now, all expansion plans are paused for now. We could see a 2 Cardinal Way if leasing at One Cardinal Way goes fast between now and June 2020 (opening). Until then, it will be fun to see if anything changes. 

My preferred thing would be if the alternative design for Phase 2's tower made a comeback and we would build on the Northwest corner. They already have plans drawn up (as we have seen), just apply them. The original plan called for first-floor retail space. Floors 2-6 would be parking. Floors 7-10 would be office and floors 11-24 would-be hotel. The design could be reused and have the first-floor as retail, Floors 2-6 as parking, Floors 7-10 would be office space, and floors 11-24 would be residential. So apartments, some condos, and some office space. The current design is ideal for that, just without balconies.

How is leasing on OCW doing?

Elek.borrelli wrote:How is leasing on OCW doing?

38% pre-leased. They expect it to go faster as they'll soon begin an advertising campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in addition to the large sign they put up facing the Ballpark. In stadium mentions will also be made. So I would expect the 38% figure to rise over the next few weeks and months. 

^ Not bad at all. I'm sure the apartments closer to the parking podium will be some of the last to go. That being said, the building is still a ways away from being opened. I'd assume that OCW 2 is not out of the picture by any means.

^ That's positive to hear considering it's about a year from opening. I would hope that BPV shapes up like KCP&L with subsequent phases being based off the demand of previous phases. From what I've heard BPV is one of Cordish's more successful developments and they have natural clientele there with the stadium across the street. 

5 more floors to go until the North-West corner of the tower tops out. Then it will be only the East portion continuing up from there.

Does anyone know what is happening with the paneling in between the windows on the North-West/North sides of the building? It looks as though there are additional panels to be installed over what is currently there. What is there now looks awful so I'm really hoping this is the case.

newstl2020 wrote:Does anyone know what is happening with the paneling in between the windows on the North-West/North sides of the building? It looks as though there are additional panels to be installed over what is currently there. What is there now looks awful so I'm really hoping this is the case.

The charcoal color will be covered up by a lighter gray material. I have a picture of the facade model somewhere on this thread that shows it. It should look better than it being all charcoal. 

This?



I did not think that was for the tower. It has brick and stone included. Is that maybe for the amenity floor only? If the lighter grey goes on the side of the tower it would look better but this looks quite fragmented as is.

^Yes. It’s confusing



Red is entrance accenting.
Orange is a material they’ll use on the amenity floor.
Yellow is the parking garage.
Green is floor dividers
Blue will cover charcoal color on the tower.
Pink is brick that will be on the first floor and the amenity deck.

chriss752 wrote:

Elek.borrelli wrote:How is leasing on OCW doing?

38% pre-leased. They expect it to go faster as they'll soon begin an advertising campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in addition to the large sign they put up facing the Ballpark. In stadium mentions will also be made. So I would expect the 38% figure to rise over the next few weeks and months. 

For reference, Cordish opened One Light (KC) at 85% leased and achieved 100% occupancy in less than 6 months. 

chriss752 wrote:

Elek.borrelli wrote:How is leasing on OCW doing?

38% pre-leased. They expect it to go faster as they'll soon begin an advertising campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in addition to the large sign they put up facing the Ballpark. In stadium mentions will also be made. So I would expect the 38% figure to rise over the next few weeks and months. 

Would be interesting to see who makes up that 38%.  I suspect that there will be more than a few corporations leasing stadium-facing units - as a somewhat cheaper alternative to ballpark luxury suites.  It would be a great place to entertain clients, a great pre- and post-game corporate party cabin, and one you could actually live in when you are in the spousal doghouse...

I could see a good number of corporate leases by Downtown companies (of which there should be more) for employees that are in town for long trainings or temporary assignments, but in the WAY post-Mad Men and post-Me Too era the idea of "post-game party cabins" (bedrooms and all) tailored to professionals in the "spousal doghouse" is a bit far fetched. Corporate America just can't afford to be as sleazy as it used to be. 

Also, if I'm a client (either local or from out of town) and you expect me to be as impressed by the balcony of a 20th floor apartment as a luxury suite on the infield surrounded by the full atmosphere of Busch stadium, you're wrong. 

^ and ^^Most companies can afford the apartment and the suite. If you are a client in town for a sales call and staying the night, having a dedicated apartment overlooking the stadium after a night at the ballpark isn't a bad add on. But, I guess if you infer anyone working in corporate america wants to bang strippers around their co-workers you may have a point.

Some photo updates from today...

The PwC Pennant Building...
Precast brick continues to be installed on the building. The remaining pieces should be put up over the next two weeks. Also within these two weeks, the PwC logos should be placed on the North and South rooflines, construction elevator should come down, and the missing/miscolored/broken pieces of glass will be installed. After that, Cardinal Way will be paved and sidewalks installed. Look for the building to open the second week of September. The rooftop deck is also getting a small structure that is presumably for the stairs from the PwC offices.







Live! By Loews...
Facade work continues as black window dividers are installed on all sides of the building. The 7th Floor still has glass that needs to be installed. Glass has been installed on the second floor and chips in the precast concrete are being patched. Also, the hotel sign should go up soon as crews have been installing framing to hold up the sign. 




One Life Fitness/Field of Dreams...
More glass has been installed at One Life Fitness and the brickwork is nearly complete. The One Life website specifies that this gym will open in 2020. The Field of Dreams Plaza will soon have a large wooden deck area open. Final touches are being made. A concert is supposed to be held out here in a few weeks. 



One Cardinal Way...
The building is currently at floor 22 of 30. Glass installation continues. 







To end this update, here is a view down Clark. Nice to see Loews, and PwC adding to this view.