I think an Aloft Hotel by W would be a great addition to Cortex. I stayed at one in Milwaukee, very hip, and VERY efficient. Also has very fast and free WiFi. Great hotel that would really have a nice fit in the area.
^That would be a good addition. Considering there have been proposals for a Holiday Inn and Hyatt Place in Midtown in the last few years, it seems that SOME Midtown/Cortex hotel project should get the green light. CORTEX almost makes more sense than Midtown proper as it can better position itself to benefit from both SLU/Midtown and BJC/CWE demand.
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Aloft hotels are awesome. I would love to see one go up on one if the surface lots downtown. The lot at Locust and 11th would be prime for one.
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Oh my God I couldn't agree more.downtown2007 wrote:Aloft hotels are awesome. I would love to see one go up on one if the surface lots downtown. The lot at Locust and 11th would be prime for one.
Probably speculation, but the powers that be over at St. Louis Metallizing (SW corner of Sarah & Clayton) seem certain that a hotel will replace their building when the time comes. I-64 basically clips the edge of this property cutting off Sarpy St., making it very visible.This kind of sucks because SLM had an excellent 2012 with no signs of slowing down. Not sure about Ronocco.
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^ Perhaps SLM will find a home in NorthSide (pure speculation). I've been told that Ronnoco has an agreement in place to sell to CORTEX.
^ I can also see SLM and Ronocco being great fits for the city efforts in reviving the north side riverfront industrial area or maybe along the north side of Chouteau Ave. But at end of day, you can see a McKee Northside move with TIF in place just as you see retail/hotel moving into these future CORTEX sites with TIF in place.
I do see the next hotel being developed as the next phase of CORTEX.
I do see the next hotel being developed as the next phase of CORTEX.
I haven't heard much about the Drury proposal to build in FPSE for a while. It seems like a spot in CORTEX might serve their purpose just as well, be on a less challenging parcel, and not have to worry about neighborhood opinion so much. Does anyone know if they are looking to build in CORTEX instead?
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We need something different than the typical Drury. I know they are a hometown company, but there already are so many in STL. I think they should begin focusing more nationally. I think they have the St Louis Market share secured.rbeedee wrote:I haven't heard much about the Drury proposal to build in FPSE for a while. It seems like a spot in CORTEX might serve their purpose just as well, be on a less challenging parcel, and not have to worry about neighborhood opinion so much. Does anyone know if they are looking to build in CORTEX instead?
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I think/hope that Drury is capable of more than bland new hotels. They've done incredible historic preservation on several hotels. Perhaps a new infill style is next. Their FPSE hotel was going to be a bit different, at least. I think quite a few companies/developers are capable of more than one style, but often build in very similar settings and so stick with basically one design. For Cortex, the challenge is different and maybe the design will follow.
Cortex TOD report
http://cmt-stl.org/wp-content/uploads/2 ... ngbook.pdf
http://cmt-stl.org/wp-content/uploads/2 ... ngbook.pdf
Just saying, the large red retail box on page 20 of the PDF is shaped suspiciously like an IKEA store.
Unfortunately, SLM has been looking in Fenton. Not sure of the status of that, or a specific location, but they have been taking measurements at an existing building. I am 99% sure that Ronnoco is going to be selling.Alex Ihnen wrote:^ Perhaps SLM will find a home in NorthSide (pure speculation). I've been told that Ronnoco has an agreement in place to sell to CORTEX.
Thanks for posting. The idea of book ending Cortex commons with hotel/residential makes sense to me. I wonder if they got anybody convinced to take a hard look at the south end where a hotel would have freeway exposure as well as the new ramp at Boyle. Where as a nice boutique hotel inter mixed with residential along Forest Parkway would be a nice touch.goat314 wrote:Cortex TOD report
http://cmt-stl.org/wp-content/uploads/2 ... ngbook.pdf
Maybe CORTEX/Drury is already pursuing a hotel/residential development. CORTEX has an approved TIF as well as the fact that it is becoming clear that retail is already being sought after. Setting up TDD or tax abatement is very doable. CORTEX can clearly offer a site with a lot less hassles/issues of building in a residential neighbor as well as find room commitments from the various partners involved. I also think it will be interesting in itself if Drury Family goes beyond another stay a night along the freeway hotel like they are building in Brentwood. If so, would success in CORTEX give them the confidence to go forward with a downtown residential tower on the Landing? or maybe we will get surprised when CORTEX announces a completely new player to the hotel market.
Drury is building a Hyatt Place in Chesterfield right now, so I wouldn't assume they would build just "another Drury" in the event they ever made a deal in or near CORTEX
So what is your take on Drury building in the city or seriously looking at a residential tower on the landing? Their all in on two projects on I64/Hwy 40 corridor in Chersterfield and Brentwood, a significant number of rooms, but have appear to give up on Kingshighway across from BJC.kbshapiro wrote:Drury is building a Hyatt Place in Chesterfield right now, so I wouldn't assume they would build just "another Drury" in the event they ever made a deal in or near CORTEX
Dredger - I have no clue what's in the plans for Drury. However, I think there's certainly a great opportunity for a hotel off I-64 near BJC/ CWE/ CORTEX/ IKEA especially the Ronnocco or SLM site. If its not Drury, it could be the other hotel groups in St Louis or the Midwest.
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I think that somewhere in Cortex is probably a better site than FPSE at 40/Kingshighway. Drury still owns a number of buildings on that corner of FPSE, FYI.
Agreed, no doubt that Kingshighway and I64 would be great for a hotel as well
Is the site directly across Kingshighway from the FPSE site, in the Kings Oak neighborhood big enough for Drury? Looks like a small park right now and is right next to the 64 exit.
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^ It's part of Forest Park so any development would require a public referendum.
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P-D article on the Cambridge Innovation Center/@4240
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... 4fcf3.html
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... 4fcf3.html
^Instant game-changer for CORTEX, I think.
While St. Louis' regional incubators typically have not had problems landing tenants and start-ups, Cambridge's brand name being associated with CORTEX is likely to swell the number of start-ups and institutions in St. Louis - many that probably would have never considered St. Louis.
Here's Cambridge IC's St. Louis website:
Cambridge Innovation Center - St. Louis
While St. Louis' regional incubators typically have not had problems landing tenants and start-ups, Cambridge's brand name being associated with CORTEX is likely to swell the number of start-ups and institutions in St. Louis - many that probably would have never considered St. Louis.
Here's Cambridge IC's St. Louis website:
Cambridge Innovation Center - St. Louis
^ Any guesses or wishes on what will be or should be proposed for Phase III and when it will happen now that CORTEX phase II going forward with solid investments and committments?
Personally, think will see Phase III proposed by the end of year to include but not limied to the following,
1) Big Box retail at Laclede site, hopefully IKEA
2) One Hotel proposal - pick your site but it will be one of the sites off the freeway
3) The surprise - Another CORTEX/infill building with new Tenant. I believe their might be an opportunity forming to get Pfizer to consolidate St. Louis operations if it is true that Monsanto won't renew thier Chesterfield lease in 2015 as per WhoLou sources.
Proposing and breaking ground on mixed use residential and new Metrolink Boyle station is probably 2015.
Personally, think will see Phase III proposed by the end of year to include but not limied to the following,
1) Big Box retail at Laclede site, hopefully IKEA
2) One Hotel proposal - pick your site but it will be one of the sites off the freeway
3) The surprise - Another CORTEX/infill building with new Tenant. I believe their might be an opportunity forming to get Pfizer to consolidate St. Louis operations if it is true that Monsanto won't renew thier Chesterfield lease in 2015 as per WhoLou sources.
Proposing and breaking ground on mixed use residential and new Metrolink Boyle station is probably 2015.