urbanSTL

Amazing photos from RFT.com:

http://photos.riverfronttimes.com/jeffe ... _0070-_hdr


from RFT.com/danwampler.com

Update, including another downtown proposal

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... acf13.html

We're up to our ears in proposals with downtown projets, while no dirt gets moved.

"Live, work, play" in 250 apartments and 250 hotel rooms "aimed at millennials"! Maybe a Trump Hotel (that'll get buzz!) or Turkish concept (They've got one in Iraq!)! It will also be a tech accelerator and start-up hub with synergies between Dallas and St. Louis! There will be a Belgian patisserie and a motorcycle themed cafe (don't we already have one of those?). And it will all have a perfectly feng shui design - after "changing the facade" .

Don't mind the fact that the developer hasn't bought the building or discussed anything with the STL Development Corp., this is going to be amazing!

I'm dying to see the JeffArms redeveloped, but this one doesn't pass the smell test. Too many buzz words and BS, and too thin of a track record (the mentioned Dallas Divan Hotel is nothing more than a rendering, and the Marriott that was supposed to go in the Dallas Butler Brothers project is now being described as "Phase II"). So far they seem more adept at keeping the PR machine humming and spinning a good story (too good?) to keep Chinese EB-5 investors interested, than redeveloping dilapidated buildings: Trash Chute Fire Sparks Two-Alarm Blaze at Butler Brothers Building

I expect the Chemical, Union Trust, International Shoe, and 1706 Washington to be done before this gets anywhere.

^ well when you put it that way (including the fire) it does become a little worrisome...

I get the same vibe from the group that wants to rehab the Railway Exchange Building. A lot of talk, but little action.

^ The group behind the Railway Exchange plans should give us a good look at their capacity shotrly as they are supposed to begin work on a similarly-sized project in downtown Cleveland soon after the Republican Convention is over.

wabash wrote: I'm dying to see the JeffArms redeveloped, but this one doesn't pass the smell test. Too many buzz words and BS, and too thin of a track record (the mentioned Dallas Divan Hotel is nothing more than a rendering, and the Marriott that was supposed to go in the Dallas Butler Brothers project is now being described as "Phase II"). So far they seem more adept at keeping the PR machine humming and spinning a good story (too good?) to keep Chinese EB-5 investors interested, than redeveloping dilapidated buildings: Trash Chute Fire Sparks Two-Alarm Blaze at Butler Brothers Building

I expect the Chemical, Union Trust, International Shoe, and 1706 Washington to be done before this gets anywhere.

When it comes to STL development it's always good to keep a show me attitude, but after looking this guy up I think he's legit.... the Butler Brothers Dallas has the apartments nearly done and leasing underway and work has begun on the Marriott phase II. They also seem to be invested in the downtown community by sponsoring music and tech events.

Could be wrong, but it looks like by starting in Dallas and showing interest now in Saint Louis, the plan for their US focus is to invest in downtowns that have potential but largely are being overlooked by others. Certainly the guy is eccentric but that isn't unusual for developers.... and don't forget we live in a new world where even we're getting things like a Hotel Angad. So put me down in the column that we'll see him tackling Jefferson Arms and/or Butler Brothers before BPV Phase II.

But what about the feng shui!!!!

Alex Ihnen wrote:IF Butler Bros, Jeff Arms, 705 Olive, Railway Exchange, and Chemical can all get going...oh, and the Armory...getting to be few big empty buildings in downtown/central corridor. Of course, if all these take off we're in for something special.

Getting those back on line in the next few years indeed would be huge, but on their own they wouldn't bring critical mass to downtown. We still need many more jobs to secure downtown's future and make it a truly vibrant place. Obviously, though, getting key properties like these activated with various mixed-uses is a key step to making downtown more attractive to employers.

^ Getting both Jeff Arms and Railway would be huge but I think most of us agree that downtown market could support a selective residential tower infill or two. Too bad none of us have the money or influence

BPV of course being the obvious in my book. Heck BPV might be the one place that condo's would excel in the region whether it be a out of town hardcore cardinals fan or smattering of corporate furnished places. I also thought the KC developer put together a nice one two punch with 1706 Wash as originally proposed - rebuild/rehab with a new 20 story tower next door. The argument that they dropped the new construction because not securing a ground floor tenant sounded really lame & spot on for the bait and switch play. An exciting doable proposal that turned into a street fight.

So while everyone waits maybe just maybe Koman comes up with a residential infill proposal once it breaks ground on some spec office space or maybe just maybe Drury revives its Laclede landing with mix hotel/residential tower once Arch Grounds is complete and a plan for Convention Center upgrades/ballroom expansion move forward

Alex Ihnen wrote: You're right, but if these are all finished, you have another ~2,000 residents, and more guests as well. And without big vacancies perhaps new construction becomes more viable.

very true; it just seems like we have a long ways to go to reach solid, consistent vibrancy.

Business Journal has an article from yesterday stating he will look to do JA, then Butler, and also envisions a 50 story high rise just north of Four Seasons...though it also notes that they do not have any offers down yet.

Shouldn't be behind the paywall:

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... ntown.html

No longer under contract.... sold!

^^Oops; apparently not quite a done deal.

^ very weird... apparently McGowan Bros has the garage portion now and while the city website has them also owning the Jefferson Arms, that might be a clerical mistake. Anyway, it looks like the Turkish company is still doing its feng shui due diligence.