This kind of "surface" architecture really depends on the materials, proportions, and detailing; things that don't show up so well on a fuzzy rendering. So a boring, conservative-looking rendering could still turn out to be a rather elegant, classy building. We'll see...
The Business Journal reported today that HOK has been named project architect. I guess the renderings we've seen so far are not the final product.
Does the StL area boast any nationally or internationally renown architectural firms such as HOK?
StL_Dan wrote:Does the StL area boast any nationally or internationally renown architectural firms such as HOK?
HOK is our firm...it's based (HQ) in STL.
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JCity wrote:They look too "Pierre Laclede Center part II". Lame. And I do NOT think they should build any higher than 30 stories. Clayton shouldn't compete with downtown for the tallest building prize.. sorry, just how I feel. I used to think that way, but it really does come at the expense of downtown stl whether people want to believe or not.
Travel to any large city and you will see highrise buildings throughout town. I'll use Dallas and Houston as my prime examples. I have spent several years in both of those cities... Clayton and downtown do compete but they also complement... And honestly... if stl metro really starts to boom, the high rises will go up in dt, midtown, cwe, and clayton... and finally, there aren't really too many plots of land in dt clayton to support large towers, especially those 30+ stories...
A large crane has been moved to the back of Centene's current building and the alley to the west of the building has been closed. Does anybody know if they are about to start construction on the new Centene Plaza?
bpe235 wrote:I'll use Dallas and Houston as my prime examples. I have spent several years in both of those cities... Clayton and downtown do compete but they also complement... And honestly... if stl metro really starts to boom, the high rises will go up in dt, midtown, cwe, and clayton...
:maddown: #-o
RAAAALLLLPPH! Where is the emoticon for vomiting?
Please, please, please! don't use Dallas or Houston as examples of what St. Louis could, should, or even might be...in fact, please don't even use those cities, er sorry I mean places, in the same sentence with St. Louis.
I have visited both of those places many times. They represent only one thing in relation to St. Louis, and that is the nightmare scenario for St. Louis of maximum sprawl/minimum density, lack of any real cultural, entertainment or residential center, and a complete forsaking of urban planning principles. I would rather see St. Louis remain the size it is forever, than to see it become like those places [-o< , if that was the only choice...
^ even if you disagree with Bpe's choice of cities, that doesn't mean he is wrong. Downtown, as we all know, would be more dynamic with clayton added in, but if the STL metro economy ever did boom like its sunbelt competition, that strong central coridor of CLayton, Downtown and the CWE will present a dynamic series of options of the area's corperate honchos. I disgree with Midtown though, as there is no reason to ever locate there...
JMedwick wrote:^ even if you disagree with Bpe's choice of cities, that doesn't mean he is wrong. Downtown, as we all know, would be more dynamic with clayton added in, but if the STL metro economy ever did boom like its sunbelt competition, that strong central coridor of CLayton, Downtown and the CWE will present a dynamic series of options of the area's corperate honchos. I disgree with Midtown though, as there is no reason to ever locate there...
Not disagreeing with the concept of the density of the central corridor increasing at all. I believe it can, should and will happen. But the area between downtown and Clayton is a central location for the entire region, not to mention that almost everything cultural and tourist related, most of the great neighborhoods, and the two best educational institutions in the St. Louis metro area are in, or close to, the central corridor. The central corridor also, not coincidentally, has been the most densely populated part of the city for most of St. Louis' history.
But the central corridor of St. Louis is a far cry from those places mentioned. They have no equivalent centralized area and have every cultural asset scattered all over the region, seemingly at random. You can drive down the highway in the Dallas metro area and see 30 to 40 story office or residential buildings, completely surrounded by 2 to 3 story suburban-style office buildings and single story ranch-style homes, and separate from everything else. And these buildings are in an area that is the equivalent of St. Charles or Fenton. There is no rhyme or reason to anything there, except that a given area is close to a highway. St. Louis has absolutely nothing to gain or learn from either of those two places.
Centene is currently preoccupied with more important things...
From the Post-Disgrace:
At least three class-action shareholder lawsuits have been filed against Centene Corp., of Clayton. The suits allege the company and two top officers violated federal securities laws by making false and misleading statements about Centene's operations or by failing to disclose material information that could negatively impact its stock price.
In a statement, Centene said the company and defendants believe the allegations are without merit, and they intend to present a vigorous defense.
Centene manages Medicaid programs for states and other health care programs. The company unexpectedly lowered its earnings guidance last month, saying medical costs were higher than expected.
The first lawsuit, filed last week in federal court in St. Louis, names Centene, Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Neidorff and Chief Financial Officer J. Per Brodin. The other lawsuits were announced late Tuesday afternoon.
Read More
From the Post-Disgrace:
At least three class-action shareholder lawsuits have been filed against Centene Corp., of Clayton. The suits allege the company and two top officers violated federal securities laws by making false and misleading statements about Centene's operations or by failing to disclose material information that could negatively impact its stock price.
In a statement, Centene said the company and defendants believe the allegations are without merit, and they intend to present a vigorous defense.
Centene manages Medicaid programs for states and other health care programs. The company unexpectedly lowered its earnings guidance last month, saying medical costs were higher than expected.
The first lawsuit, filed last week in federal court in St. Louis, names Centene, Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Neidorff and Chief Financial Officer J. Per Brodin. The other lawsuits were announced late Tuesday afternoon.
Read More
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I wouldn't worry about Centene. They'll be fine. It's kind of hard to operate a company when the majority of their revenue, ie (Medicare, and Medicaid) is paid out by the government which is constantly cutting back on these respective programs.
According to The West End Word, Centenne has named U.S. Equities Realty company as the developer of this project. They are a large, Chicago-based firm that has worked all over the country, as well as in South America.
The first tower will be 250,000 to 300,000 sq. ft. Centenne will occupy 80% of that. Completion in Fall 2009.
No new rendering yet, though.
The first tower will be 250,000 to 300,000 sq. ft. Centenne will occupy 80% of that. Completion in Fall 2009.
No new rendering yet, though.
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I wish there were a clear rendering or site plan. Centenne's new offices won't even take up the whole block, ONLY property along Hanley and some on Forsyth and Carondelet, including current offices, the former Library Limited, and the City of Clayton's parking garage, all of which are under control. But the western end of the block, along Bemiston and along Forsyth where closer to Bemiston than Hanley, is not needed for Centenne's new offices. Yet the City of Clayton has still blighted the full block, seeking to replace existing stores and restaurants on the western end of the block near or along Bemiston with just newer stores and restaurants. Of course, whenever Clayton officials defend their use of eminent domain for this project, they always hype the jobs and Centenne's expansion, yet conveniently fail to mention that property is already available to build Centenne's new offices.
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southslider wrote:I wish there were a clear rendering or site plan. Centenne's new offices won't even take up the whole block, all property along Hanley and some on Forsyth and Carondelet, including current offices, the former Library Limited, and the City of Clayton's parking garage, all of which are under control. But the western end of the block, along Bemiston and along Forsyth where closer to Bemiston than Hanley, is not needed for Centenne's new offices. Yet the City of Clayton has still blighted the full block, seeking to replace existing stores and restaurants on the western end of the block near or along Bemiston with just newer stores and restaurants. Of course, whenever Clayton officials defend their use of eminent domain for this project, they always hype the jobs and Centenne's expansion, yet conveniently fail to mention that property is already available to build Centenne's new offices.
there is a rendering in the window of the current centene building at hanley and Forsyth, and also one in the city hall...maybe i can snap a pic when i go pay this damn parking ticket...
^I think that's just the conceptual drawing. The actual building hasn't even been designed yet, as HOK was only recently given the commission.
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http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument
Lawyers for Centene Corporation began their condemnation case this morning seeking a court order to declare as blighted three properties along Forsyth Boulevard west of Hanley Road in Clayton for the company’s proposed $190 million office and retail complex.
Thomas Weaver, an attorney for Centene, used Clayton City Manager Michael A. Schoedel to identify reams of documents in St. Louis County Circuit Court that show Centene and the city of Clayton made all the proper moves in obtaining city approval in 2004 and 2005 for the redevelopment project.
Schoedel testified at the end of the morning session that Centene’s proposed project was in accordance with a Master Plan for Forsyth Boulevard that city officials adopted in 1993. The plan calls for high-density office use along Forsyth, described by Weaver as the spine of Clayton, along with retail operations.
To condemn the properties at Centene’s request, Judge James R. Hartenbach must determine that they are blighted.
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In his opening statement, Weaver told Hartenbach that the decision on whether properties are blighted is a determination by a legislative body under Missouri law and, in this case, the Clayton Board of Alderman already made that determination when it approved the project in December of last year.
Attorneys for the property owners, David Danforth, Dan Sheehan and Debbie Pyzyk are expected to argue against a ruling that the well-maintained and highly appraised buildings could be adjudged as blighted.
In a prepared statement before the three-day trial began, Sheehan said: ``It’s very hard for me to believe that a property that is valued at more than $7 million an acre can be in any way considered blighted.''
Lawyers for Centene Corporation began their condemnation case this morning seeking a court order to declare as blighted three properties along Forsyth Boulevard west of Hanley Road in Clayton for the company’s proposed $190 million office and retail complex.
Thomas Weaver, an attorney for Centene, used Clayton City Manager Michael A. Schoedel to identify reams of documents in St. Louis County Circuit Court that show Centene and the city of Clayton made all the proper moves in obtaining city approval in 2004 and 2005 for the redevelopment project.
Schoedel testified at the end of the morning session that Centene’s proposed project was in accordance with a Master Plan for Forsyth Boulevard that city officials adopted in 1993. The plan calls for high-density office use along Forsyth, described by Weaver as the spine of Clayton, along with retail operations.
To condemn the properties at Centene’s request, Judge James R. Hartenbach must determine that they are blighted.
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In his opening statement, Weaver told Hartenbach that the decision on whether properties are blighted is a determination by a legislative body under Missouri law and, in this case, the Clayton Board of Alderman already made that determination when it approved the project in December of last year.
Attorneys for the property owners, David Danforth, Dan Sheehan and Debbie Pyzyk are expected to argue against a ruling that the well-maintained and highly appraised buildings could be adjudged as blighted.
In a prepared statement before the three-day trial began, Sheehan said: ``It’s very hard for me to believe that a property that is valued at more than $7 million an acre can be in any way considered blighted.''
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I hope that everyone would take a moment and read this document: http://www.development-strategies.com/i ... domain.pdf
IMHO - it's helpful to better understand current use of emminent domain, blight and relevant precedent in the courts.
IMHO - it's helpful to better understand current use of emminent domain, blight and relevant precedent in the courts.
This project may now be in jeopardy as Centene is ceasing operations in Missouri and Kansas.
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There was another Centene-related article in today's paper that said the HQ project will not be affected by the MO/KS pullout.
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It looks like the new Centene HQ can finally get started!
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument
A judge gave Centene Plaza Redevelopment Corp. the go-ahead today to use condemnation powers to acquire three properties in the heart of Clayton for its proposed $190 million office and retail project.
St. Louis County Circuit Judge James R. Hartenbach ruled in favor of the company and Clayton in a dispute with landowners who opposed the use of eminent domain to take their businesses.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument