urbanSTL

Houlihans Galleria closed Sunday night 01/07

I was at Sam's yesterday and noticed that construction on this development has finally begun in earnest. For a long time I was wondering why they needed 3 parking garages for houlihans

I think those photos prove the adage.

At least the garages will soon be hidden by additional development. And it's easily a "lesser turd" if you will than the Anyplace Commons across South Hanley.

the building looks like it was built to last for one year.

Um, what the hell is up with the parking garages? Seriously, what is with the love affair for displaying parking garages in such a prominent manner? Hanley Station and that monstrosity behind Best Buy make me puke.



That said, the rest of Hanley Station looks reasonably nice but developers in this area really haven't been able to pull off a good "lifestyle center". The best "lifestyle center" I have been to is West Village in Dallas. It's perfect, actually fits into it's surroundings, and once you are on the inside of it you can walk around to many places and not feel like you are a in a glorified strip mall with condos/apartments.

^ I agree about the design of lifestyle centers in this area.



Do St. Louis area developers need to get out more? It seems like developers around here are following the worst practices instead of the best.

TB1000 wrote:Um, what the hell is up with the parking garages? Seriously, what is with the love affair for displaying parking garages in such a prominent manner? Hanley Station and that monstrosity behind Best Buy make me puke.



That said, the rest of Hanley Station looks reasonably nice but developers in this area really haven't been able to pull off a good "lifestyle center". The best "lifestyle center" I have been to is West Village in Dallas. It's perfect, actually fits into it's surroundings, and once you are on the inside of it you can walk around to many places and not feel like you are a in a glorified strip mall with condos/apartments.

Looks nice!



http://www.westvil.com/

They should wrap another building around the garage behind where their sales office/trailer is. It would look better, but nothing like West Village.

Strassner Dr., which goes through Hanley Station, is definitely open under the Metrolink overpass now. Strassner Dr. now goes all the way from Hanley to Brentwood. It's a good way to avoid Eager Rd.

JCity wrote:the building looks like it was built to last for one year.

Agreed. Went to Houlihans last week. The project isn't even finished and looks like crap.

I think the residential in this place looks AWFUL! [insert vomiting emoticon here]

It's high density residential, has walkable amenities and is within walking distance to a metrolink stop. And it's right next to the APA, so hopefully the residents can have (adopted) pets.



I would think urbanists would find something to like here, even if aesthetically it leaves a bit to be desired. But perhaps it's just on the wrong side of the Maginot Line?

You have wonder how long the APA for sale sign will stay up now? This development seems like it would be a much better fit if it could have taken over the area to the North. Unforatunately, they put up the hotel and wall next to the APA. Pretty much kills any hope of a side street parallel to Hanley and having mixed use on each side of it.

bsever wrote:It's high density residential, has walkable amenities and is within walking distance to a metrolink stop. And it's right next to the APA, so hopefully the residents can have (adopted) pets.



I would think urbanists would find something to like here, even if aesthetically it leaves a bit to be desired. But perhaps it's just on the wrong side of the Maginot Line?

I agree... Its not perfect but it could have been another big box or just McMansion cul-de-sac like they were trying to do across the street to the north. I'm not saying that we have to settle for just anything, but other than a few flaws I don't think it is all that bad. And anyway, most buildings today look like they will last for a year, just like any other consumer product, its just the way of the world.



If this project were built at Loughborough Commons or Southtown whatever would anyone be complaining? Well probably, nothing is ever quite good enough on here.



And finally, while the parking garages here and by the MetroLink are by no means architectural masterpieces, they are at least parking garages and not a giant sea of surface parking. what else should a parking garage built to hold hundreds of cars for commuters look like?

IMO, this place would've been better as apartments. Why anyone would want to spend $150-300K to live across from Wal-Mart and in between Hanley Industrial Ct is beyond me.



I would like it if a lifestyle center was actually built into an existing neighborhood versus just plopping it down somewhere. The one in Kirkwood is really nice though.

I don't think buyers for Hanley Station will be looking for a lifestyle center let alone a neighborhood. I think their looking for a safe place to park their car, easy highway access, and close to either Clayton or Downtown. The bonus for these buyers is that Walmart along with Trader Joes, Target, Whole Foods and a slew of other retailers are actually that close.



I just think and dissappointed that this development contained itself by positioning the hotel as such. I just have a tough time imagining any development that can replace the APA, office building, and light industrial that would also fit well with Hanley Station while promoting a more pedesterian favorable route to the Metro station.

Buffalo Wild Wings will be building a new restaurant on the last remaining pad at Hanley Station.

chesterfieldkid03 wrote:Buffalo Wild Wings will be building a new restaurant on the last remaining pad at Hanley Station.

Do you know where? I saw there was a pizza place opening up where the furniture store closed. Is there a link with more information?

chesterfieldkid03 wrote:Buffalo Wild Wings will be building a new restaurant on the last remaining pad at Hanley Station.

He's the link for the pizza place.
http://tasteathanleystation.com/

A BWW is about as exciting as the red lobster and applebee's across the street. The Hanley Station development is so disappointing. I'd give it an F. What was MLP thinking?