TheWayoftheArch wrote:i think that those renderings take into account the new I64 project. It would be a horrible waste of money to produce something that elaborate and costly, only to have to rip it up to redo 40.
What new I-64 project?
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What new I-64 project?
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Matt Drops The H wrote:What new I-64 project?
Really? Here is the website: http://www.thenewi64.org/
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Wow...where have I been? 
Great...more lanes on "I-64"...
You know...there was a study that shows the more lanes per capita that a city has, the worse the sprawl. St. Louis was...#1 or 2...I can't remember.
Great...more lanes on "I-64"...
You know...there was a study that shows the more lanes per capita that a city has, the worse the sprawl. St. Louis was...#1 or 2...I can't remember.
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Good ol' STL, always at the top of those lists! 
actually, #1 would go to our cross-state sister:
http://www.publicpurpose.com/hwy-tti99ratio.htm
Rank Urban Area Freeway Lane Miles per 1,000 Population Compared to Maximum Freeway Equivalent Lane Miles per 1,000 Populatoin Rank Compared to Maximum
1 Kansas City MO-KS 1.241 0.0% 1.530 1 0.0%
2 Fort Worth TX 0.894 -27.9% 1.371 2 -10.4%
3 Dallas TX 0.885 -28.7% 1.291 3 -15.6%
4 St. Louis MO-IL 0.883 -28.9% 1.286 4 -15.9%
5 San Antonio TX 0.867 -30.1% 1.135 6 -25.8%
6 Atlanta GA 0.799 -35.6% 1.085 10 -29.0%
7 Columbus OH 0.795 -35.9% 1.006 12 -34.2%
8 Houston TX 0.783 -36.9% 1.108 9 -27.5%
9 Cincinnati OH-KY 0.758 -38.9% 0.994 13 -35.0%
10 Indianapolis IN 0.714 -42.4% 1.130 8 -26.2%
Hmmm...
http://www.ti.org/vaupdate14.html
http://www.publicpurpose.com/hwy-tti99ratio.htm
Rank Urban Area Freeway Lane Miles per 1,000 Population Compared to Maximum Freeway Equivalent Lane Miles per 1,000 Populatoin Rank Compared to Maximum
1 Kansas City MO-KS 1.241 0.0% 1.530 1 0.0%
2 Fort Worth TX 0.894 -27.9% 1.371 2 -10.4%
3 Dallas TX 0.885 -28.7% 1.291 3 -15.6%
4 St. Louis MO-IL 0.883 -28.9% 1.286 4 -15.9%
5 San Antonio TX 0.867 -30.1% 1.135 6 -25.8%
6 Atlanta GA 0.799 -35.6% 1.085 10 -29.0%
7 Columbus OH 0.795 -35.9% 1.006 12 -34.2%
8 Houston TX 0.783 -36.9% 1.108 9 -27.5%
9 Cincinnati OH-KY 0.758 -38.9% 0.994 13 -35.0%
10 Indianapolis IN 0.714 -42.4% 1.130 8 -26.2%
Hmmm...
http://www.ti.org/vaupdate14.html
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It's not surprising that all rustbelt cities are on the list at the website! 
But the other website belongs to the Thoreau website which if I may remind members is an anti-urban, pro-sprawl, and outdated American Dream of a monstrous McMansion with a wasted acre or more of nothing but grass opinionated website. In Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Wildwood and St. Charles County it's not hard to find these neighborhoods. In Bridgeton looking south from the Interstate 70 and St. Charles Rock Road one can see a neighborhood bordered by several acres of forest. The majority of that forest is from deep lots along Mark Twain Rd(the south outer road), but the cul-de-sac neighbohood behind those deep lots is buffered and is itself tree lined with the majority of trees reaching 70-110 feet tall. Neighborhoods anywhere should not be treeless even if they boast McMansions or else they're wasting the environment, and are less appealing or enjoying to live in. Even in suburban areas we need to maintain forests. I admire the city's many tree-lined streets and how the trees blend the neighborhoods, soften the feeling of entering a strange place, and bolster an attractive and desirable neighborhood to be lived in and not just toured. My favorite example is South Grand south of Chippewa St, or Euclid especially where Hortense, Lenox, and Pershing places abut Euclid under a tree canopy (ceiling) making it feel like a slice of the wealthy neighborhoods in London. I'm truely amazed and feel uplifted just be the street scene, that is what should be sought and replicated, a desirable street scene that is linked harmoniously by its trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plant life.
But the other website belongs to the Thoreau website which if I may remind members is an anti-urban, pro-sprawl, and outdated American Dream of a monstrous McMansion with a wasted acre or more of nothing but grass opinionated website. In Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Wildwood and St. Charles County it's not hard to find these neighborhoods. In Bridgeton looking south from the Interstate 70 and St. Charles Rock Road one can see a neighborhood bordered by several acres of forest. The majority of that forest is from deep lots along Mark Twain Rd(the south outer road), but the cul-de-sac neighbohood behind those deep lots is buffered and is itself tree lined with the majority of trees reaching 70-110 feet tall. Neighborhoods anywhere should not be treeless even if they boast McMansions or else they're wasting the environment, and are less appealing or enjoying to live in. Even in suburban areas we need to maintain forests. I admire the city's many tree-lined streets and how the trees blend the neighborhoods, soften the feeling of entering a strange place, and bolster an attractive and desirable neighborhood to be lived in and not just toured. My favorite example is South Grand south of Chippewa St, or Euclid especially where Hortense, Lenox, and Pershing places abut Euclid under a tree canopy (ceiling) making it feel like a slice of the wealthy neighborhoods in London. I'm truely amazed and feel uplifted just be the street scene, that is what should be sought and replicated, a desirable street scene that is linked harmoniously by its trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plant life.
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I love the city's trees as well.
One nice city perk is that the city will plant a street tree (or trees) in front of your house, free of charge. All it takes is a call to the Forestry Department. I wish more people would take advantage of this service - I hate seeing blocks with few or no trees.
One nice city perk is that the city will plant a street tree (or trees) in front of your house, free of charge. All it takes is a call to the Forestry Department. I wish more people would take advantage of this service - I hate seeing blocks with few or no trees.
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Southwest City has some gorgeous areas when it comes to greenery. The drive on Jamieson south of Chippewa, for example, is beautiful.
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Developer to unveil premium lofts
Shawn Clubb
Of the Suburban Journals
Oakville-Mehlville Journal
Motorists passing along Highway 40 near Forest Park can't miss seeing the two large apartment complexes under construction just south of Oakland Avenue.
BalkeBrown and Associates, which completed work in 2001 on the Highlands Plaza One office complex, is nearing completion on the Lofts East and Lofts West on the same property. The 26-acre site was formerly the location of the St. Louis Arena.
The two buildings are expected to be completed late this spring with the first loft apartments being made available for lease in mid to late May. Exterior work, such as installing windows, and some finishing work remain.
Wendy Wakefield, who is responsible for management and leasing of the properties, said the lofts will be made available at a rate of 20 per week for ten weeks.
The complex will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom lofts. They will range in size from 863 square feet to 1,695 square feet.
Prices start at $1,075 and range to $2,000 per month.
BalkeBrown has set up a web site, http://www.highlandslofts.com, where people can obtain detailed information on the lofts, including a 360-degree tour of the lofts through renderings. Visitors can also use the site to print out any of the ten different floor plans and download a lease application.
Don Land, a principal with BalkeBrown, said the lofts each feature a bay window, granite countertops, carpeting and stainless steel appliances, among other premium features.
"These are probably the highest quality apartments I've seen anywhere in St. Louis," Land said.
The complex will feature a two-story fitness center with windows that look out on the plaza, Forest Park and downtown. Residents will also have access to a party room and free indoor parking.
Wakefield said BalkeBrown has not started its big push to advertise the properties for lease, but she is already getting ten calls per day. She can be reached by calling (314) 621-1414.
Land said BalkeBrown got into residential development only recently.
"We had a lot of interest from other developers at the Highlands site for residential development (about four years ago)," Land said, "so we started kicking around the idea of doing residential."
Land said the market for office space at that time was depressed and residential development at the Highlands sounded like an interesting concept. He said BalkeBrown initially planned to work jointly with Conrad Properties, but Conrad instead worked on Metro Lofts ? loft apartments in the Central West End at the former site of Boulevard Apartments.
At the same time that BalkeBrown began work on the Lofts, the company also began work on a 240-unit garden unit complex called Green Mount Lakes in O'Fallon, Ill. Those apartments are now 80-percent leased.
Land said the location of the Lofts is advantageous to residents because of the proximity to downtown, Forest Park and two major interstates. He said it is also a good fit for people working or going to school at Washington University.
The Lofts have been a $35.7 million project, while the five-story Highlands Plaza One cost $22 million to build.
BalkeBrown has formed a partnership to build a Hampton Inn & Suites and a Krieger's Pub and Grill on the east side of the property. That work is set to begin soon. About a third of the site remains undeveloped
Shawn Clubb
Of the Suburban Journals
Oakville-Mehlville Journal
Motorists passing along Highway 40 near Forest Park can't miss seeing the two large apartment complexes under construction just south of Oakland Avenue.
BalkeBrown and Associates, which completed work in 2001 on the Highlands Plaza One office complex, is nearing completion on the Lofts East and Lofts West on the same property. The 26-acre site was formerly the location of the St. Louis Arena.
The two buildings are expected to be completed late this spring with the first loft apartments being made available for lease in mid to late May. Exterior work, such as installing windows, and some finishing work remain.
Wendy Wakefield, who is responsible for management and leasing of the properties, said the lofts will be made available at a rate of 20 per week for ten weeks.
The complex will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom lofts. They will range in size from 863 square feet to 1,695 square feet.
Prices start at $1,075 and range to $2,000 per month.
BalkeBrown has set up a web site, http://www.highlandslofts.com, where people can obtain detailed information on the lofts, including a 360-degree tour of the lofts through renderings. Visitors can also use the site to print out any of the ten different floor plans and download a lease application.
Don Land, a principal with BalkeBrown, said the lofts each feature a bay window, granite countertops, carpeting and stainless steel appliances, among other premium features.
"These are probably the highest quality apartments I've seen anywhere in St. Louis," Land said.
The complex will feature a two-story fitness center with windows that look out on the plaza, Forest Park and downtown. Residents will also have access to a party room and free indoor parking.
Wakefield said BalkeBrown has not started its big push to advertise the properties for lease, but she is already getting ten calls per day. She can be reached by calling (314) 621-1414.
Land said BalkeBrown got into residential development only recently.
"We had a lot of interest from other developers at the Highlands site for residential development (about four years ago)," Land said, "so we started kicking around the idea of doing residential."
Land said the market for office space at that time was depressed and residential development at the Highlands sounded like an interesting concept. He said BalkeBrown initially planned to work jointly with Conrad Properties, but Conrad instead worked on Metro Lofts ? loft apartments in the Central West End at the former site of Boulevard Apartments.
At the same time that BalkeBrown began work on the Lofts, the company also began work on a 240-unit garden unit complex called Green Mount Lakes in O'Fallon, Ill. Those apartments are now 80-percent leased.
Land said the location of the Lofts is advantageous to residents because of the proximity to downtown, Forest Park and two major interstates. He said it is also a good fit for people working or going to school at Washington University.
The Lofts have been a $35.7 million project, while the five-story Highlands Plaza One cost $22 million to build.
BalkeBrown has formed a partnership to build a Hampton Inn & Suites and a Krieger's Pub and Grill on the east side of the property. That work is set to begin soon. About a third of the site remains undeveloped
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gstone wrote:I am sure they are nice, but I like to refer to these as "fake" lofts.
Yeah, they are not lofts in the true sense of the word. From their website, they are marketing, "LOFT INSPIRED APARTMENT HOMES FOR RENT".
Construction is really moving along on the hotel and restaurant/pub/bar/grill.
I would consider moving there, but, I would choose a more downtown living location if I had 1500 a month for rent. It is nice looking from the highway, and I wonder how it really looks in person.
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Does anyone have any idea hows sales are coming along? Everytime I drive by at night there doesn't appear to be many units with lights on.
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Downtown2007 wrote:Does anyone have any idea hows sales are coming along? Everytime I drive by at night there doesn't appear to be many units with lights on.
They are currently 25% occupied and are in lease-up mode.
hmm... looks interesting... i am moving to STL soon and will probably take a look at it for a short-term lease until i get to know the city better...
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You know - I hate to be negative - and I realize that everyoen is entitled to their own opinion, but I never could stand this development. The buildings look like cell blocks. They're sourounded by shopping mall size parking lots and they face a highway. There's absolutely nothing "urban" about them. If anything, they look like a suburban office park - minus the fake pond. I actually think pruit igo looked better.
You can't just throw a "loft" into the middle of a suburban office complex. Lofts are popular because they are residences etched out of an urban fabric. They're not popular just because of their layout - they're popular becauser of their layout AND their context.
anyway - I'm glad to see any density creating development and I hope they do well. I just don't see the appeal.
You can't just throw a "loft" into the middle of a suburban office complex. Lofts are popular because they are residences etched out of an urban fabric. They're not popular just because of their layout - they're popular becauser of their layout AND their context.
anyway - I'm glad to see any density creating development and I hope they do well. I just don't see the appeal.
Markofucity, I completely agree with everything you say except for the look of the buildings. I really like the buildings and think they are attractive. What I don't like is the seas of green grass, no retail on street level, and parking...on lots??? This is not an urban project. The buildings look urban, but in function they definately are not urban. I don't think it will fail to attract residents, but I don't see those seeking a true urban lifestyle wanting to live here. Hopefully, the developer will see this and somehow address those issues.
The problem with this development, in my opinion, is that it started out as an office park. The city was able to find a large tract of land near a major interstate to develop an office park to compete with parks in the western suburbs. They were fine with a suburban office park layout, b/c that is who they were competing against.
Then, the office market turned south. The city and the development group had pressure to build out the land regardless. So, they turned to residential. What was the city doing at the same time? It was converting all kinds of buildings to "lofts". Lofts became the trendy thing to do, so the development group basically built out residential like it had in other developments (suburban-like apartment buildings), and labeled them "lofts" to be trendy.
I think this development will look very dated in 20 - 30 years. It is a poor use of space, and would have done much better developed as a grid into the existing residential landscape behind it, perhaps with office/commercial lining the highway. Oh well, for the time, I suppose it's better than just an empty block of land.
Then, the office market turned south. The city and the development group had pressure to build out the land regardless. So, they turned to residential. What was the city doing at the same time? It was converting all kinds of buildings to "lofts". Lofts became the trendy thing to do, so the development group basically built out residential like it had in other developments (suburban-like apartment buildings), and labeled them "lofts" to be trendy.
I think this development will look very dated in 20 - 30 years. It is a poor use of space, and would have done much better developed as a grid into the existing residential landscape behind it, perhaps with office/commercial lining the highway. Oh well, for the time, I suppose it's better than just an empty block of land.
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I never understood the market for living in a new loft in such an auto-oriented location. At least the new faux-lofts in Richmond Heights on Clayton have some walkability (DeMun/Esquire), and those at Euclid and Forest Park in the CWE definitely have walkable amenities. But The Highlands? The high rent also means not even Forest Park Community College students would live here, and that's about all you can walk to, unless you like walking along highway frontage roads and parking lots.
I don't understand why they didn't build just one building 10 stories tall. That way you could have views of Downtown/Clayton.
Right now the top floor looks on to SLCC's air conditioning units.
Right now the top floor looks on to SLCC's air conditioning units.
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I kinda like these buildings, but I think the site layout is rather poor. Does anyone know if they have further plans for the vacant area just to the south of the Lofts? There's just this huge expanse of open space between everything at the Highlands.
Also ... I've heard some residents in Cheltenham aren't too pleased with this development and are afraid that it will eventually overtake their little neighborhood.
Also ... I've heard some residents in Cheltenham aren't too pleased with this development and are afraid that it will eventually overtake their little neighborhood.