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.
Have you noticed that the new restaurant they are building next to the lofts (connected to the hotel) has a rooftop that flows with the big building next door (Daniel & Henry bldg??)? Pretty neat.
At first I liked the development, until I realized:
1. The Arena used to be there
2. As southslider stated, you are dependent on the auto
3. I can mortgage a nice downtown loft for cheaper
There is no incentive to live in these lofts; they are disconnected and mundane.
1. The Arena used to be there
2. As southslider stated, you are dependent on the auto
3. I can mortgage a nice downtown loft for cheaper
There is no incentive to live in these lofts; they are disconnected and mundane.
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These lofts have to be less expensive than comparable units in Clayton. If they can attract individuals who might have otherwise chosen Clayton/Richmond Heights then we win by increased earnings tax revenue.
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Might be appealing for short-term rentals as well - for visiting executives, consultants, etc. - since it's equidistant from downtown and Clayton.
The location is reason enough to want to live there. It is a bit isolated, but it could be worse. Proximity to the park without paying west end rates seems pretty enticing. Granted the tunnel under 40 is not exactly glamourous but it gives you pedestrian access to the park, including the metro stop.
In terms of the location of the old arena, I think that restaurant should be called the OLD BAR'N GRILL. I thought I heard it was going to be a Krieger's though.
In terms of the location of the old arena, I think that restaurant should be called the OLD BAR'N GRILL. I thought I heard it was going to be a Krieger's though.
I agree with Doug. There's nothing compelling here. There's still comparable values in the CWE that are better connected. It may take a little work to find them, but they're there.
Nice photos. Those are some beautiful buildings.
I personally understand some of the arguments about the development being disconnected and its aesthetic layout, but I think for some people, they don't want to be too connected. As isolated as it seems, for some people, they might enjoy the benefits of living in the city while enjoying the quietness of such a development and all of the amenities nearby.
I personally understand some of the arguments about the development being disconnected and its aesthetic layout, but I think for some people, they don't want to be too connected. As isolated as it seems, for some people, they might enjoy the benefits of living in the city while enjoying the quietness of such a development and all of the amenities nearby.
Well said, Arch. I was just about to say the same thing. Remember, not everybody wants to live quite as urbanly as some of us on this forum. For those folks, the Highlands provides a nice City option.
^Exactly, besides you are close to the park and the wonderful Dogtown neighborhood, all of which makes them more atractive than you might think.
Only one thing would be better, decking 40 across from the park and building a whole neighborhood....
Only one thing would be better, decking 40 across from the park and building a whole neighborhood....
^Now, that's one heck of good idea. Hope someone with the wherewithall reads that and takes it seriously.
How about we just rip up 40, and do away with it completely. That'll connect the Highlands to the Park in a hurry.
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I like the development, the color scheme...it reminds me of
a housing development in Budapest or Moscow,very cold war
like in first James Bond movies! As a screenwriter, this works for
me. But let's please keep highway 40...at least until everybody
lives/works downtown!
a housing development in Budapest or Moscow,very cold war
like in first James Bond movies! As a screenwriter, this works for
me. But let's please keep highway 40...at least until everybody
lives/works downtown!
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I got this email today...
Balke Brown is pleased to announce that beginning next week, January 8th, construction for the highly anticipated Highlands Plaza Three at the Southeast corner of the site will begin. Highlands Plaza Three will be a medical office building whose anchor tenant will be Mid-American Transplant Services.
Our contractor will be mobilizing the construction team this week using the Oakland entrance for access. By next week construction traffic access will be deterred to Wise Avenue . All construction workers have been instructed to park on the South property. Construction activities will begin at 7:00 am each morning.
Our Development team and our Management Team will be working closely together to make sure all pertinent information is communicated to you, our tenants, if we believe it may affect you in any way.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
As always, thank you for your continued support and patience as yet another exciting addition is made to the Highlands site!
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Jambo wrote:^^^Where is Mid-American Transplant Services currently located?
Olivette. Or in that general vicinity.