I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet. Great news!
http://nextstl.com/downtown/chemical-bu ... oor-retail
http://nextstl.com/downtown/chemical-bu ... oor-retail
2014 will see 252 new apts right on Old Post Office Square. 120 Chemical & 132 Roberts (OPO) Tower. Exciting times for the CBD.
Also, despite DT's much discussed retail woes (Macy's, People's National Bank, PNC, etc...), I think the 7,000 sq. ft should do pretty well right on the plaza, 1 block from Culinaria. It's a great location for residential and retail.
Great news regarding the funding for this project. Despite setbacks here and there, surely, downtown is reviving and keeps moving forward. 
I wonder what type of retail has the developer, LandWhite, landed in the past for its other projects?
I wonder what type of retail has the developer, LandWhite, landed in the past for its other projects?
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I have to admit that I thought having Macy's as an anchor was crucial to keeping downtown momentum moving forward. But as much as I'm going to miss the store itself, I think the real momentum will be created by the new activity created around OPO Square once the Arcade and Chemical buildings come back to life. Filling these spaces so close to Culinaria and the OPO shouldn't be all that difficult. And even if the former Famous-Barr/Macy's space sits vacant for awhile, I believe the momentum created along Olive Street will eventually benefit the Railway Exchange Building as well.wabash wrote:Also, despite DT's much discussed retail woes (Macy's, People's National Bank, PNC, etc...), I think the 7,000 sq. ft should do pretty well right on the plaza, 1 block from Culinaria. It's a great location for residential and retail.
I more or less said something similar in the Arcade Building thread, but I feel more optimistic about downtown with these two major announcements. It took a big step backward in the last month, but a couple of not-so-small steps forward, and I think the overall trend is still positive.
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Anybody know what kind of apartments these will be exactly? Affordable, market-rate, luxury...Whatever else. I hope I can afford to live here at all!
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Good info in to Post this morning. All good news. Let's hope these minor issues can be resolved so work can start.
http://m.stltoday.com/business/columns/ ... touch=true
http://m.stltoday.com/business/columns/ ... touch=true
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When is this supposed to start work? Does anybody know how long they have said it will take? I wish they would make a website for it already. And I really hope they aren't planning to call it The Alexa this time.
Once this, Roberts, and Arcade are done, the are around the OPO should be bustling, although it is already at lunch time because of Culinaria.
-Arcade Building, Downtown, 250 units
-Chemical Building, Downtown, 120 units
-Roberts Tower, Downtown, 132 units
TOTAL: 502 units
This will add, what, approx. 1,000 extra residents to the area? Plus people coming Downtown so they can go to the stores in the buildings. Also, I seem to remember Webster saying they were wanting to occupy the second and third floors of the Arcade, so there's some more people there, too! Possibly throw in an Olive streetcar in a few years, and this is going to be one happenin' place to chill.
Once this, Roberts, and Arcade are done, the are around the OPO should be bustling, although it is already at lunch time because of Culinaria.
-Arcade Building, Downtown, 250 units
-Chemical Building, Downtown, 120 units
-Roberts Tower, Downtown, 132 units
TOTAL: 502 units
This will add, what, approx. 1,000 extra residents to the area? Plus people coming Downtown so they can go to the stores in the buildings. Also, I seem to remember Webster saying they were wanting to occupy the second and third floors of the Arcade, so there's some more people there, too! Possibly throw in an Olive streetcar in a few years, and this is going to be one happenin' place to chill.
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^the Tower is 128 and the Arcade is 280.
This update in the BJ today lists completion of this project as "mid 2015."
This update in the BJ today lists completion of this project as "mid 2015."
^the Tower is 128 and the Arcade is 280.
This update in the BJ today lists completion of this project as "mid 2015."
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/prin ... m&page=all
This update in the BJ today lists completion of this project as "mid 2015."
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/prin ... m&page=all
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^ thanks for the update.... good to see both are on track. Any mention of Webster plans for the Arcade?
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Any updates on start date. Ive been searching and i see they said financing was secured and construction was suppose to start but that was 9 months ago. Do we have confirmation of secured financing?
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Last time i heard they were trying to work out parking issues for possible residents not sure whats going on seems this has been dragging on for a century .
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As some have feared, work on The Chemical is still a question mark:
Jeff Rainford, Slay’s chief of staff, said renovation of the Arcade could spur redevelopment of the nearby Chemical building, another old office structure slated for renovation as apartments.
“The Arcade makes the Chemical more likely and more doable,” Rainford said.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/educ ... b4051.html
Jeff Rainford, Slay’s chief of staff, said renovation of the Arcade could spur redevelopment of the nearby Chemical building, another old office structure slated for renovation as apartments.
“The Arcade makes the Chemical more likely and more doable,” Rainford said.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/educ ... b4051.html
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The Chemical is my dream building. If they renovate it, I will come.
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^ GC doesn't believe in monogamy. btw, I had to smile when I saw a headline about a man burning feces behind a Seattle police station.... GC really opened my eyes about that hellhole. 
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My sense is that -- if the Chemical still has a question mark over it -- then it is a small question mark in 10% gray font. Not sure where Jeff was coming from. Maybe a happy hour? Or maybe the reporter was?
Ha. Jeff can be delusional.Presbyterian wrote:My sense is that -- if the Chemical still has a question mark over it -- then it is a small question mark in 10% gray font. Not sure where Jeff was coming from. Maybe a happy hour? Or maybe the reporter was?
I seem to recall from a downtown living tour a few years ago (six or so) that the then-owners of the Chemical (re-branded as Alexa) were touting a "car-filing" system for the building. You know the one -- you park your car in a street-level stall, swipe your card, and it's elevator'd down and shifted over to a holding area. Seemed insane back then for a building such as the Chemical and still does.
Would've been cool though!
Would've been cool though!
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So whats holding this back.. are they still trying to negotiate parking ?
Who knows. And the developers will never say. Don't want to get on the bad side of the city if/when you're asking for incentives like tax abatement or a TIF.BrickCity4470 wrote:So whats holding this back.. are they still trying to negotiate parking ?
Welll.... the big red sold sign is gone and in its place is a new for sale sign - I believe it must have fallen through, lets hope the next developers can actually finish a jobbeer city wrote:I don't know how long it has been up, but there is a great big red "SOLD" sign on the building, might be hearing some concrete plans soon