urbanSTL

roger wyoming II wrote:Here we go again... Channel 4 is reporting it has learned that IKEA is looking at 2 sites in the County and 1 in the City. But doesn't know actual locations. But will let us know when it finds out. Gee thanks!

Heck, wouldn't be surprise if someone like McKee is spreading a rumor like this, I would say he has two of three sites, one in city and one in the county, that fits IKEA general plan - placing a big box store near major freeway with high traffic counts.

1) McKee/Clayco has plenty of space along N Hanley in north county in a development that has seen very little activity except Express Scripts/a hotel, with convenience convergence of freeway. It also fits that some IKEA stores are very visible near major airports - think Newark

2) McKee, I wouldn't be suprised if he has been pitching his development plans in the city to IKEA. Think - A new 22nd street interchange or Bottleworks/new Mississippi Bridge.

I have not heard anything about the report on KMOV. I watched the news the other day and have tried to find something on this. Nothing is out there.
I wonder where KMOV got their info and if they jumped
and reported a story that was either from a poor source
or just as some have speculated, a rumor put out by a local developer.
Anyhow, the rumor has quickly died and nothing more has
come of it. I assume it is just another false alarm.

DogtownBnR wrote:I have not heard anything about the report on KMOV. I watched the news the other day and have tried to find something on this. Nothing is out there.
I wonder where KMOV got their info and if they jumped
and reported a story that was either from a poor source
or just as some have speculated, a rumor put out by a local developer.
Anyhow, the rumor has quickly died and nothing more has
come of it. I assume it is just another false alarm.

OK, I hate to say it, but IMHO, KMOV is the least-believable of St. Louis's major news outlets -- the TMZ of StL.

urbz wrote:Eh, they ran a few TV ads here around '08 or '09. Not sure what tactic they're going for here. Its not subliminal, its just mean

See, I thought the TV ads were national and not geared at one particular market. If they actually sought out advertizing space on a Saint Louis-centric website, it *could* be a bid to build brand awareness in advance of entering the market. Then again, maybe they're figuring KC is close enough to advertize that location here.

Just thought it was odd that I saw the IKEA ads first that morning and then come here to find new rumors of a St. Louis store; it's probably nothing.

-RBB

From WhoLou-

http://nextstl.com/central-corridor/ikea-notes

I noticed that this site is owned by Lacelede Gas, who is also talking about moving their headquarters from downtown to the CORTEX area. Might these two projects interfere with each other, or does Laclede Gas own other parcels in this part of town as well? Also, if Laclede Gas does indeed move to CORTEX, what will become of their current building?

Gateway City wrote:I noticed that this site is owned by Lacelede Gas, who is also talking about moving their headquarters from downtown to the CORTEX area. Might these two projects interfere with each other, or does Laclede Gas own other parcels in this part of town as well? Also, if Laclede Gas does indeed move to CORTEX, what will become of their current building?

I can understand the land ownership and Laclede's Group wanting to build it owns HQ/footprint.

What I can't understand Laclede's desire to part of or next to a life science development or vice versa. Yes it is an upcoming area but would rather see them do their own signature building as downtown infill on Wash Ave (maybe the underwhelimg block near but across street from Stifel), maybe take a corner of BPV or build a slender tower next to or in the last empty Cupples building. To me Laclede's Group need to stay downtown.

But maybe, just maybe they got a deal they can't pass up. With the little bit of extra cash they will be ready to build a new home downtown and midtown gets an IKEA. It makes sense on a real estate basis, Pace/Ikea rather deal with a single parcel and Laclede has a parcel that really doesn't fit any of their needs unless the build a HQ on it. Even then, I think she has big plans and a premium location downtown with Arch view with easy access to the hotels and venues is what she would rather have is my bet.

So 720 Olive is not among the top 25% of gas company headquarters?

Sounds like IKEA is refuting this most recent rumor that they have picked a site.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... witterfeed

IKEA Corporate will refute the rumor until they're ready to announce and confirm it. The NextSTL article says they're looking at a site, not that they've signed and locked in. We won't hear anything but denials from corporate until it's locked and loaded.

Forest Park is really underutilized, and while it would be nice to see it lined with residential towers, I think big box stores could work well there too. Is IKEA consistent with their building designs? I just hope they don't build a massive parking lot facing FP, close Duncan and have the back of the building up against the Metro tracks.

Few questions:

1) Is IKEA denying that they are going to open here in STL City, so they can keep
their options open with location, not to upset any other local towns bidding
for them to open there? What other incentives does IKEA have to deny-deny-deny?

2)How legit are the 'sources'? Is seems as if many members of this site have a
very strong belief, that Pace is working with IKEA locally. What hard evidence
is there, that this relationship actually exists. I know naming sources is not
likely, but I'd like to know how firm these rumors really are. I know the sources
must be firm or nextstl would not post the article. We on this site, love to criticize
local media for jumping the gun. I sure hope there is 'meat on the burner' (Ron Caron RIP ) here. This would be an awesome thing for the City, the region and
the central corridor. How cool to drive over the Poplar, be wowed by the Arch and
skyline, then see a huge IKEA in the middle of it all. That would be nice!

Is IKEA aware of these important facts? Someone needs to let them know before they make a huge mistake!

Why would Ikea put a store there? Higher property taxes, higher sales taxes, the earnings tax, crime... nope, that location doesn't make sense at all.

I'm honestly not that bothered either way. IKEA is a decent store, but it really doesn't warrant the decade of rumors that have flowed through this city. My favorite thing about the store is the chicken fingers in the cafeteria

"^^^I'm hearing things that seem to confirm that Ikea is zeroing in on this site... which is pretty brilliant. I'm always amazed at how well they keep these things so secret for so long. Topher is right about the corporate communications strategy"

We heard about them zeroing in on the Hadley site as well. The behind the scenes
Work with Pace was allegedly going on, but obviously, that was a property acquisition issue, do who knows.

Hopefully, they finally found a location in the City.