Framer wrote:I wish they'd switch the buildings, so the taller one is at the high point of the site. That would make a bigger impact on the skyline.
Sometimes wishes do come true. Centene announced that they are, in fact, switching the two buildings, putting the taller building at the more prominent corner:
CLAYTON — The developers of the proposed Centene Plaza got an enthusiastic go-ahead from aldermen Tuesday night when the board approved a redevelopment and performance agreement between the city and development team.
"We're very excited," said Jim Mello, an attorney representing the developers. "Centene is anxious to move forward ... and get some cranes in downtown Clayton."
Details of the development and rezoning are expected to be approved next month.
Mayor Linda Goldstein said the agreement was similar to one Clayton considered in 2005 but with updated costs for construction and financing. Including land and other expenses, the cost of the office and retail development in the heart of Clayton is estimated at close to $212 million.
Yes, interesting that they use the Spanish Steps in freakin' Rome as an example of their stairs . . . a$$holes - seriously, I guess they just make this $hit up.
Grover wrote:Yes, interesting that they use the Spanish Steps in freakin' Rome as an example of their stairs . . . a$$holes - seriously, I guess they just make this $hit up.
Ha! I guess all design/creative studios are the same.
As some may know, I work in advertising.
And when presenting ideas for the next ad campaign to Midwest Industrial Rotors to run in RotorToday, we always start off with a PowerPoint presentation of Nike and Apple ads saying this is our goal and inspiration.
In the end it's a picture of a rotor and a toll-free number.
Or in this case, a parking garage and a couple of steps.
7 World Trade Center, Hearst Building, Lever House, The Swiss Re Building (aka Gherkin), for each of these incredible and architecturally significant buildings there are dozens of imitations that just don't look good or right. Subtle differences in the tint and color of the glass can make a world of difference. Examples of cheesy glass that lacks subtlety might be Westport Plaza, Bank of America Plaza, or the Park East Tower.
Nice.... Per the elevation drawing the tower will be 313 feet high, which makes it the second tallest in Clayton under the 409' Plaza and just above the 312' Sevens and 309' Pierre Laclede.
Centene Plaza gets tentative OK to add commercial tenants
By Margaret Gillerman
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/09/2008
CLAYTON — The proposed $200 million Centene Plaza development in downtown Clayton cleared some of its last major hurdles Monday night, but the Plan Commission first made one key change.
After a plea by the developer, the commission agreed to allow some commercial businesses such as banks, in addition to sales-tax-producing retail, if the developer is unable to otherwise fill the ground floors of the complex. The city had been pushing the developers for the last few years to bring more high-end retail to downtown Clayton.
Robert Wislow, one of the developers, said Monday night it would be easier to obtain financing with some commercial in the mix if not enough retail tenants can be found. Wislow is chairman and CEO of U.S. Equities.
Commissioner Scott Wilson said: "I don't want to handcuff these guys."
Centene Plaza is planned as a two-phase development that will cover a large part of a downtown block on the southwest corner of Hanley Road and Forsyth Boulevard. Centene Plaza would be home of the expanded corporate headquarters of Centene Corp. It would include two office towers, one 21 stories and the other 11 stories, plus a parking garage, shops, restaurants and landscaped plaza areas.
Ordinance - To approve rezoning of 7716, 7718, 7720, 7730, 7732, 7734 and 7736 Forsyth Boulevard from CBD Core Overlay District (base zoning of High Density Commercial) 7700 Forsyth Boulevard and 21 South Hanley Road from a High Density Commercial to Special Development District. (Bill No. 6147)
· At the September 8th Plan Commission meeting, the Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning of the area bounded by Forsyth and Hanley to a Special Development District and of the Special Development Plan with specific conditions. This is an ordinance to approve the rezoning of the area to be known as the Centene Plaza from a High Density Commercial District to a Special Development District.
Ordinance - To approve a Special Development District Plan for 7700, 7716, 7718, 7720, 7730, 7732, 7734, 7736 Forsyth Boulevard and 21 South Hanley Road. (Bill No. 6148)
· This is an ordinance to approve a Special District Plan to be granted to Clayton Center LLC for the mixed-use development project to be known as Centene Plaza .
Ordinance - To approve Centene’s sub-district Phase I plan. (Bill No. 6149)
·The City recently approved the Special Development District Plan mechanism to be applied to larger, multi-phased projects. This is an ordinance to consider approving a Special Development Sub-District Plan for Phase I of the Centene Plaza project.
Centene Status: Clayton’s Board of Aldermen approved zoning changes. Clayco CEO Bob Clark told Clayton city officials he is still working on locking in financing.
Centene has design approvals but financing remains in limbo
(by Mitch Schneider - October 15, 2008)
The Beatles once sang of a long and winding road. Over the last three years, the proposed new headquarters for the Centene Corp. has followed a winding road of its own, one that is taken it from Clayton to downtown St. Louis and back to Clayton. Backers of the project have said it has the potential to transform the eastern end of downtown Clayton, specifically the corner of Forsyth Boulevard and Hanley Road, which Clayton’s political leaders like to refer to as “Main and Main.”
I guess things are going forward, as destruction of the parking garage at Hanley and Forsythe has gone pretty quickly the last few days, and the Library Ltd. building is being gutted by a couple of Bobcats as I type this.
^How sad would it be if, in a couple years, Centene has their mixed-use HQ tower up and occupied, and Ballpark Village is still just surface parking and grass?
I'm embarrassed for the Cardinals/Cordish just thinking about the possibilty.
Check out the webcam shots from October 7-9. Very interesting shots of someone's cubicle.