BHS Perhaps ?
- 1,044
BHS? I have no idea what that stands for but its not the store I was talking about. If all goes as planned they should be open sometime late spring.
- 729
southcitygent wrote:BHS? I have no idea what that stands for but its not the store I was talking about. If all goes as planned they should be open sometime late spring.
Which means they would open before anyone is living in the building, no?
Hmm... sitting here in London trying to figure out what it could be. Tea, high noon, and something with a vaguely British atmosphere... but locally owned and operated. And a place you shop in after you move in to a new condo or flat. So it's furnishings or accessories or whatever.
Not Fortnum & Mason. Or Harrods. Or even BHS, which stands for British Home Stores (I think) and makes Famous look like Saks.
I'm guessin' a Jaguar dealership. Or maybe a Bose store? Or something like Restoration Hardware? I've been to one of their stores in New York and they had these cool Art Deco frames with a picture of massive 1930s building in each one and the building was... yup, the Chase.
Or what about Pier One? Are they still in business?
Not Fortnum & Mason. Or Harrods. Or even BHS, which stands for British Home Stores (I think) and makes Famous look like Saks.
I'm guessin' a Jaguar dealership. Or maybe a Bose store? Or something like Restoration Hardware? I've been to one of their stores in New York and they had these cool Art Deco frames with a picture of massive 1930s building in each one and the building was... yup, the Chase.
Or what about Pier One? Are they still in business?
- 3,235
irocktheparty2000, did they provide any other information about the project. How many units have they sold? Is expected completion still July? What is the HOA fee going to be? Sorry to stray of the current subject but any information would be appreciated.
- 729
Downtown2007 wrote:irocktheparty2000, did they provide any other information about the project. How many units have they sold? Is expected completion still July? What is the HOA fee going to be? Sorry to stray of the current subject but any information would be appreciated.
I really do not know any specifics on the residential side other than first move-ins are to be around August.
As for the retail.....(insert drum roll here) I have heard that is it English Living. You can check them out at www.englishliving.com. I hear they will also do an English Tea Room and that this will be a second location for them. They will take up about half the retail space in the building.
I have no ties to anyone from Ely Walker or English Living but inquired to someone in the know and they gave up the info no problem and did not mention anything about not spreading the word. So there you go.
Sorry for spilling the beans Orchard Group but know you guys keep tabs on this board and figured you'd post something if you did not want word to get out.
irocktheparty2000 wrote:
As for the retail.....(insert drum roll here) I have heard that is it English Living. You can check them out at www.englishliving.com. I hear they will also do an English Tea Room and that this will be a second location for them. They will take up about half the retail space in the building.
Me being positive:
Certainly takes a unique turn from the contemporary urban style that's otherwise represented downtown by other retail, so maybe they'll fill a niche I didn't know existed. Perhaps for the empty-nesters. Maybe it could be a "destination" location for bringing people in from surrounding areas.
I was hoping for something that would increase foot traffic in the area... perhaps the Tea Room will contribute, but my immediate reaction to this news is "meh." The Old English/Antique style is just not my thing.
They started downtown though, so it's cool they would return, and continue to be a family-run business.
http://www.myeuropeanhome.com/My European Home started its life in 1995 as The Old English Pine Company on Laclede's Landing in St. Louis, MO. Owners Alan and Pat Richardson, both born and bred in the South of England, quickly grew the company through expansion first to Kirkwood and finally to it's present 8,000 square foot retail location in West County. We began with antique pine but quickly found a demand for reproduction pieces with that nice worn old look. Furniture fashions have broadened and we extended our range first into English oak and fruitwoods, then into a variety of paint finishes. Through this process we had trekked Europe to the point where we are now bringing in suppliers from Italy and Eastern Europe as well as the continuing cornerstone of our business - England. The workshops we source in turn are smaller family businesses who can custom build any piece for you with a smile, including our hugely popular farmhouse and dining tables. Despite its substantial growth the company remains a family business with daughter Anna responsible for searching out fascinating new accessories in Europe, and daughter Jackie and son Alan both very involved in the administration.
I like it. We DO need something besides furniture stores though. That's why I'm glad they'll have the tea room.
- 729
stlmike wrote:I like it. We DO need something besides furniture stores though. That's why I'm glad they'll have the tea room.
And the tea room could be cool if it is in the atrium area with all the natural light filtering down from the skylights.
- 10K
irocktheparty2000 wrote:stlmike wrote:I like it. We DO need something besides furniture stores though. That's why I'm glad they'll have the tea room.
And the tea room could be cool if it is in the atrium area with all the natural light filtering down from the skylights.
That would definitely be cool. The owners seem like the kind of people who would go to great lengths to make the tea room "authentic" as well.
- 3,235
Are they occupying all of the retail space or only half?
- 729
Downtown2007 wrote:Are they occupying all of the retail space or only half?
Half.
- 729
Downtown2007 wrote:Any idea who is in the other half?
No, but think they are shooting for a restaurant.
stlmike wrote:I like it. We DO need something besides furniture stores though. That's why I'm glad they'll have the tea room.
I agree. It will be something different that you can't find in other areas of St. Louis. And it will be a nice place to rest when taking a break from furniture shopping.
- 1,044
As has been stated, English Living is the potential tenant, they will be moving their main store from furniture row on Manchester raod. This store has for many years furnished the homes of St. Louis's corporate, political, sports and media elite. The new location will include a London Tea Room built to reflect the stylish corner houses that dotted London during the 40's and 50'. In addition they will be carrying the Althorp House line of furniture http://www.althorplivinghistory.com . Althorp House was the childhood home of Princes Diana and the opening of this exclusive gallery in St. Louis might entail a future visit to Washington Ave by The Earl Spencer. It may not be the modern, sleek line of home furnishings you are used to seeing on Washington Ave. However its opening reflects the owners hopeful commitment to be apart of the resurgence in downtown retailing.
- 729
southcitygent wrote:As has been stated, English Living is the potential tenant, they will be moving their main store from furniture row on Manchester raod. This store has for many years furnished the homes of St. Louis's corporate, political, sports and media elite. The new location will include a London Tea Room built to reflect the stylish corner houses that dotted London during the 40's and 50'. In addition they will be carrying the Althorp House line of furniture http://www.althorplivinghistory.com . Althorp House was the childhood home of Princes Diana and the opening of this exclusive gallery in St. Louis might entail a future visit to Washington Ave by The Earl Spencer. It may not be the modern, sleek line of home furnishings you are used to seeing on Washington Ave. However its opening reflects the owners hopeful commitment to be apart of the resurgence in downtown retailing.
I like it. At first I was thinking it may be a tough go but it's nice to see some diversity. And as for decorating your place it is always a good idea to throw in a nice eclectic piece here and there or to mix in a traditional piece along with the contemporary.
I welcome English Living and wish them the best.
- 396
Here is a little tidbit about the retail space. This store will be on the west half of the building, the restaraunt will be on the eastside, the small 1 story attached building and there is aprox 20,000 sq ft, still unleased, but there are discussions going on. I also know that they would like to get a national restaraunt instead of doing one on their own (2 sources)...
- 1,768
Just a thought, that while it may not be the norm for loft/condo dwellers there are probably a good numbers of persons in the Lafayette Square/Central West End and other nieghborhoods who would think this style of decor would fit their architecture and home character well.
- 3,235
I am not very excited about the English Living tenant. I am not sure if it will be a good fit in the middle of trendy lofts. Is it unique, Yes. Is it something that fits my personal interests, No. However it says A LOT that they are commited to the future of DT and they have the confidence in a totally different market.
I feel that the Ely bldg is the most important bldg west of 14th since it covers so much sidewalk and steet level space. The Ely could help connect DT to Midtown and spur development on Locust and Delmar. I am glad to hear that at least 1 and maybe 2 tenants are left to fill the retail space. So they need to find a mix of tenants that creates a steady amount of pedestrian traffic at all hours of the day. The English tenant will most likely be open late morning through early evening so hopefully the other 2 will fill the void left in the mornings and late night. My vote would be for a trendy coffie shop which have a steady stream of business from 8am to 1 am. My vote for the other spot would be a bar/lounge/retaurant creating a buzz from 3pm to 3am. The mix a tenants would create a sense of vibrancy throught all hours of the day.
I feel that the Ely bldg is the most important bldg west of 14th since it covers so much sidewalk and steet level space. The Ely could help connect DT to Midtown and spur development on Locust and Delmar. I am glad to hear that at least 1 and maybe 2 tenants are left to fill the retail space. So they need to find a mix of tenants that creates a steady amount of pedestrian traffic at all hours of the day. The English tenant will most likely be open late morning through early evening so hopefully the other 2 will fill the void left in the mornings and late night. My vote would be for a trendy coffie shop which have a steady stream of business from 8am to 1 am. My vote for the other spot would be a bar/lounge/retaurant creating a buzz from 3pm to 3am. The mix a tenants would create a sense of vibrancy throught all hours of the day.
Downtown2007 wrote:I am not very excited about the English Living tenant. I am not sure if it will be a good fit in the middle of trendy lofts. Is it unique, Yes. Is it something that fits my personal interests, No. However it says A LOT that they are commited to the future of DT and they have the confidence in a totally different market.
I feel that the Ely bldg is the most important bldg west of 14th since it covers so much sidewalk and steet level space. The Ely could help connect DT to Midtown and spur development on Locust and Delmar. I am glad to hear that at least 1 and maybe 2 tenants are left to fill the retail space. So they need to find a mix of tenants that creates a steady amount of pedestrian traffic at all hours of the day. The English tenant will most likely be open late morning through early evening so hopefully the other 2 will fill the void left in the mornings and late night. My vote would be for a trendy coffie shop which have a steady stream of business from 8am to 1 am. My vote for the other spot would be a bar/lounge/retaurant creating a buzz from 3pm to 3am. The mix a tenants would create a sense of vibrancy throught all hours of the day.
I vote Coffee Cartel and City Diner. No wait Soulard(Downtown?) Coffee Garden and Courtesy Diner. No wait Park Ave.(Washington Ave.?) Coffee and Uncle Bill's Pancakes.