urbanSTL

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?

My grade is solely based on curb apeal. I like Houlihans and Jimmy Johns.

Have you seen this development in person? I drive by it every day on my commute. The exterior finishes looked tired and dated from day one. Not only is the stucco and faux brick ugly, it screams CHEAP!

That's pretty much the fairest and most accurate assessment of the crap. It should have been obvious that this venture would be a failure from the outset, as is Boulevard St. Louis. Leave sensitive urban planning and land use decisions up to retail builders and mega-real estate developers, you end up with schlock. "It's the best we can do" is not an acceptable excuse or offer of compromise. One cannot build for walkability where there is to nowhere to walk, nor any safe or appealing way to walk there if there was. The whole agglomeration of buildings amassed at the Brentwood/I-64 metro station clearly demonstrates the incompetence of retail builders and mega-real estate developers to either effectively build for community, or understand even some very simple principles of vital connectivity. Developers of this ilk are currenlty in the "well, those building LOOK like they would be in a desirable urban setting with living neighborhood qualities" stage, and we'll have to endure scores more lifestyle 'centers' and urban 'streets' of mixed-uses until progressive planning is adopted, or the trend finally burns out. I'm expecting the latter.

Alex Ihnen wrote:^ But to be honest, designers design what builders want built. It's up to communities to demand good design.

Yeah... so where do you see us in disagreement?

I think you had two opportunities with the Hanley Station, the first and its purely speculation on my part is that the development was attempting to secure the pet shelter to the north and purse a larger development. This would have made sense and could have foster a parallel side street to Hanley that provided much more connectivity, maybe even encourage something to replace Home Depot in time. Instead, you literally leave the wall in place between Hanley Station Development and the pet shelter and metrolink builds a the huge garage without any thought of better access to the south. Like always, it takes strong city leadership to align several property owners in a direction that will benefit them and the community over the long run.

The second opportunity is not lost in my opinion. However, it will take even stronger leadership. Brentwood seriously needs to figure out a future for Hanley Industrial Court that brings in mixed use along its edges and provides much much better connectivity to metrolink, parks, YMCA and greenways as their literally the makings tie in some of the towns own amenities. It can be done. First step, rebuild Hanley Industrial Ct road from Strassner to Eager that favors a direct route parallel to metrolink, wider lanes for bikes, and a decent tree lined sidewalks. Push Hanley Station development west between Hanley Industrial Court drive and the metrolink. Maybe, just maybe, Dierbergs will see an opportunity.

How do you pay for it? Expand the current Transportation Development Districts used for the big box stores to an area bounded by Brentwood, Eager, and Hanley with sole intention of rebuilding the street grid, bike lanes, sidewalks and greenways within those boundaries