urbanSTL

trent wrote:I would be shocked to see an Apple Store in that development. On top of Apple redoing the Galleria store just last year it would seem a bit out of character for them to build something across the street that will still get less foot traffic than the Galleria Mall.

Lately, Apple has been building stand-alone flagship stores or flagship stores that anchor shopping centers.

Here's a good article to read, ""Can Apple Anchor a Shopping Mall? Don't Count on It" and here (FIND: Flagship).

^ Off-topic: where could you imagine Apple relocating in STL, if they were to do so? Plaza Frontenac? Chesterfield? Downtown St. Louis City?

trent wrote:I just finished a 4 year stint with Apple, I don't need such articles to tell me their business models.

IF Apple moved out of the Galleria it wouldn't be for probably 3-4 years at best. Both St. Louis stores have received revamps in the last 3 years, and there are other locations around the country that would have a much higher priority than the Galleria store which was built as the largest indoor store in the country (tied actually).

I could see Apple going to a different location in STL before putting something in next to a recently revamped Galleria store.

Hold on trent, the links posted were not to prove you wrong. The links were posted to demonstrate and inform those interested that Apple is looking into the "anchor model" for many of their locations. They are popping up all over the place.

Maybe it is too late for The Boulevard II to be anchored by Apple, but retailers move and shift locations all of the time. The Galleria itself has seen major shifting around and rebuilding in recent years.

While it is unlikely that Apple will relocate from the Galleria in the immediate future, it is not far-fetched to believe Apple could consolidate stores in St. Louis into a major anchor store or just relocate a store. Again, Apple anchors are popping up all over the place in the U.S. - in cities that had thriving mall locations.

Also, if the Galleria store was built as the largest (tied, as you say) indoor store, why wouldn't Apple come back to St. Louis after their lease agreement is over (or another developer buys out Apple's lease at the Galleria) to anchor a major new retail development?

While I have never worked for Apple.....anything is possible.

Wonder if a flagship Apple store would be more possible when the IKEA opens - drawing from a much larger geographical area.

^,

"The proposed project would include up to 95,000sf of retail and dining space, 30,000sf of office, and 165 residential units."

Here are the renderings from how Phase II was supposed to look when initially proposed.















Not sure if the residential tower was scrapped for Phase I or II.

I'm not sure I would say the design looks old, but that's a just a matter of opinion. Does anybody know how what the current vacancy rate is in the apartments? I'm guessing its pretty good if they are trying to go forward with the expansion. Just don't understand the need for TIF because I figure something like this would be a very popular option for many St. Louis natives. It's definitely not for everyone, but it provides walkability to man things and is only a few metro stops away from other retail and entertainment options that in Clayton and south Hanley... Being located near a metro stop, the mall, big box stores, and groceries seemed like a no-brainer... along with quick access to a major highway. These types of developments are very popular in the metro DC area where i currently live. Take this place for instance -

http://mosaicdistrict.com/live/

It's kind of in a similar location as the Boulevard, although I would argue the boulevard is in a nicer spot. Fairfax county actually used a TIF to help the developer improve a section of the project. The argument was that nobody would have risked developing that without assistance. BS in my opinion... this development is very successful - $750k+ townhouses sold out rapidly (new section in the works). During summer, the area is packed - that despite being in kind of an oasis among commercial and industrial businesses in this particular section of Fairfax county. the development is anchored by Target, a theater, a Hyatt, an organic grocery, and a lot of mom and pop type stores. Totally walkable and very nice for people who come home and don't want to drive anywhere looking for food/entertainment or basic needs. I would think the Boulevard has the same type of appeal and I hope they are successful.

Here are some other similar developments in the area...

http://livedowntownbrambleton.com/?gcli ... HwoddfoBUw

http://www.eya.com/montgomery-row/

http://www.oneloudoun.com/

unbelievable what the homes in these communities cost, but people are stepping up to the plate to get them.

https://nextstl.com/2016/09/78-9m-boule ... late-2016/