urbanSTL

jlblues wrote:^^I haven't followed this debate, and frankly, I'm not even sure what the debate is about at this point, but you seem to believe that "retail" downtown and historic rehab are mutually exclusive, and that retail equates to "new construction". All of the things that downtown workers have requested in that survey can be easily accomplished through historic rehab, with the possible exception of the Target store.

Couldn't agree more. My entire point all along is that historic rehab should be the secondary goal to creating an enticing economic/social infrastructure in St. Louis city.



With the correct civic leadership, mandates could be put in place that both entice business into the city and ensure that business is integrated properly into an urban context - new retail does not have to equal sprawling parking lots.

Let's focus this thread back onto the subject of Drury Hotels Highrise Towers plan. Thank You.

any updates?

^^^^ http://stlinvestmentrealty.com/st-louis ... till-a-go/

those renderings look like they're from 1991. how about the Drury updates their look? modern/contemporary please. no more of that fake stucco and faux "traditional" crap.

^ Those renderings are pretty pathetic. However, I'm hoping they just don't do the design justice, although I suspect that probably isn't the case. At least the design doesn't contain any pitched roofs.



And how about putting some garden/pool on those flat roofs? They'd have a great view of the park and be a nice feature that would make the hotel (somewhat) unique.

There was a meeting about this last night. Did anyone go? Is there anything to report?

17thWard 17th Ward St. Louis
Public meeting in FPSE at Acts 1:8 Mission (1126 Kingshighway)
regarding future development at Kingshighway and I-64. 6 pm tonight!

You know what would be awesome? If they bought the lot that was town down by Mills for his apartment project that never materialized and built a podium base instead of their surface parking which could include retail and went vertical in one impressive 32 story tower (maybe even 38-40 with parking etc!) in the heart of the CWE. Could make a high class glass tower with some design to it that could even include a lighting element with some prominent "Drury" bold neon signage about 400 feet up in the air visible from most places in the metro area.

Make a freaking statement instead of the same ole bland garbage. Huge benefits to the city and your company.

#CWESkylineBuilding

Alex Ihnen wrote:I generally like the last design from a couple years ago. The towers are substantial and would do a lot to help mark the Kingshighway/I-64 interchange as a "place". The Mills lot isn't a bad idea, but the visibility of the interchange lot is about 1,000x greater.

Have to agree with Drury's proposal at the the interchange. Mills lot on Euclid will be developed as will the corner lot at Lindell/Kingshighway with mized use residential in time. Certainly will happen if BJC/Shriners/CORTEX keep going forward. Actually prefer to see 5-8 stories on Mills lot and a nice tower on Lindell. However, 30-40 stories should be downtown in my opinion.

A different question Alex, do you know if MoDOT sold the silver of land at the southeast corner of the new interchange? I believe Drury's proposal needs this slice of property, or maybe incorrect. I know that MoDOT sold or their old Brentwood Ave facility to Drury Inn, or its at least under contract. Assumed that the Brewntwood hotel was going to be their priority. But curious if they are going forward with both.

As far as Grove businesses, I think this proposal is going to be a big plus if it happens. Otherwise, any foot traffic will stay on the northside of I64.

My only suggestion for this development would be that they rotate each of the buildings 20 degrees clockwise. That way the western facing rooms would have better views of Forest Park and the eastern facing views would have better views of downtown, and they wouldn't face each other dircetly, which doesn't make much sense.

Here's a summary of the meeting on Nov 29.

http://www.17thwardstl.com/wordpress.com/?p=2088

I haven't seen this posted anywhere, so I figured I'd put it out there. Not sure what, if anything, it means...

According to the city assessor's website, Drury Development Corp. purchased the group of properties for sale along Kingshighway (north of Oakland and south of 40) and the western edge of the 4500 block of Oakland for $1.675 million on April 9th. When the towers were proposed a few years ago the thinking was that these parcels would be necessary to create an access directly from Kingshighway.

Perhaps these towers could still go up?

Perhaps the tower teaser we're waiting to hear about this weekend is this?

I'm curious of the 'tower teaser' story, could you expand on it?

I thought the new tower story was going to be about residential not hotel. I could be wrong though.

Oh, he said it was residential specifically? I thought he just said "tower." I was hoping for offices.