urbanSTL

Too much negativity.

I love that illustration of the alternative design, though I have a soft spot for the cheshire as well.

Here is an alternate proposal I've sketched out that does not completely close Clayton Rd. It could stay open West to East, the Cheshire could have more parking, and crosswalks would get some upgrades. I think this better accommodates all the users of the area while protecting existing businesses and residential access.
Link to ward24stl.com

the central scrutinizer wrote:Tony's ain't goin' no where (or something like that): http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... 2bc8b.html

Tony's is leaving downtown and headed here.

Bob O’Loughlin of Lodging Hospitality Management said that the award-winning Tony’s restaurant will be moving into his under-contruction makeover of the Cheshire Inn & Lodge in 2012. “It’s perfect timing, because that’s when the project will be completed,” said O’Loughlin. He added, “Tony’s lease (in the Equitable Building) will be up then.

http://bergersbeat.com/tonys-into-cheshire/

Alex Ihnen wrote:Maybe. There has been talk of tearing down the part within the City of St. Louis. I understand the reasoning, but I wonder if it would be the same story if the demo permit was needed in Clayton. There has also been talk about the street being closed, though no decision has been made.

http://nextstl.com/transportation/st-lo ... nn-parking

So wonder what the city thinks it can get out of the deal if they issue a demo permit for the part of the business in city limits while agreeing to turn over a street at the same time.

I think one the previous articles metioned that the development would resemble what was done out at Schneithorst's.

the central scrutinizer wrote:

dredger wrote:

Alex Ihnen wrote:Maybe. There has been talk of tearing down the part within the City of St. Louis. I understand the reasoning, but I wonder if it would be the same story if the demo permit was needed in Clayton. There has also been talk about the street being closed, though no decision has been made.

http://nextstl.com/transportation/st-lo ... nn-parking

So wonder what the city thinks it can get out of the deal if they issue a demo permit for the part of the business in city limits while agreeing to turn over a street at the same time.

I believe the plan was to demo the restaurant (the part in St Louis?) and rebuild a new one.

Thanks CS, that makes a whole more sense.

Word on the street is the closing of Clayton Ave is not going to happen. Sounds like the new Alderman (Bauer or Ogilvie) are not in favor of this at all.

I had a tour of the Cheshire this weekend - the hotel portion is well underway, and looks to open by the end of the year. Its going to retain a fair amount of its original character (and some original furniture) after the upgrades.

I was also inside the restaurant. The direction LHM is going to take here is still up in the air. They want more parking but as of yet haven't reached a deal with any of the surrounding properties. As has been previously mentioned, the closure of Clayton Ave. is far from a done deal. If they renovate the restaurant, they are looking at multiple tenets - not one huge space.

^ If they need more parking, why not enlarge the underground garage? Closing or reducing a major street does not make much sense.

^ Probably because that sounds VERY expensive.

^ Then they should downsize their project. I don't see why the City should "donate" a good street.

I was at the Hi-Pointe movie theatre this week and asked them about Clayton Ave possibly closing. They said losing Clayton Ave parking would put them out of business.

That would be very sad!!!

What are the odds the Cheshire Inn would allow other area businesses to use their lot?

Par Lounge (next to Hi-Pointe Theater) also relies on Clayton Ave parking.