^ Yes. This project and these rendering are very uninspiring.
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These companies, Pace, GGP, Lionstone Group, ect.... do not look at how they share busines.
Anyway this project use to be called The Fountains and the renderings were done by ArchImage if that helps locate the renderings of the updated project.
Oh, rumor only Mortons wants to move here.
Anyway this project use to be called The Fountains and the renderings were done by ArchImage if that helps locate the renderings of the updated project.
Oh, rumor only Mortons wants to move here.
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FromTheLou wrote:From the look of buildings number 5 and 6, this development is trying to wall itself off from The Boulevard development. Wouldn't you think that people in those hotels may want to walk to dinner at PF Chang's for instance? The connection to The Boulevard would make those hotels more desirable so why not encourage the connection?
good news.. I have a copy of the latest promotional info.
from the site plan... (i'll try to scan it soon)
- there appears to be a curved landscaped walkway between the garage and retail area allowing access to galleria parkway (metrolink & Boulevard)
- the three outparcels along brentwood are labeled "future development" and are still shown in the above posted rendering because there is some kind of dispute over ownership rights.
-The UC tower is currently seeing a renovation of the common areas.
-This will be a phased development with a scheduled completion date of fall 2009
Yes, it is usually considered bad form to show your development on someone else's property, if you don't have an option or a redevelopment agreement. 
^ All good news.
One comment though, while I am happy to hear there will be a landscaped walkway as a connection, that is still not as good as a street with on-street parking and retail on both sides. I wonder what the developer is proposing from it becoming a dark uninviting ally/cut through. To make it nice at night, it will take more than just some walkway, a bench or two, and a bit of landscaping. Otherwise, it won't matter if the cuthrough exists because people won't want to walk there.
One comment though, while I am happy to hear there will be a landscaped walkway as a connection, that is still not as good as a street with on-street parking and retail on both sides. I wonder what the developer is proposing from it becoming a dark uninviting ally/cut through. To make it nice at night, it will take more than just some walkway, a bench or two, and a bit of landscaping. Otherwise, it won't matter if the cuthrough exists because people won't want to walk there.
Maybe THEY don't want anyone walking there? Or anywhere for that matter, particularly not from the MetroLink stop. *Shudder*
^ Or from PF Changs, or from Crate and Barrel, or from Ann Taylor Loft. You know those types. If you want a sucessful development, you don't want people that go those places.... 
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ahhh hell, i'm a fast typer so here's what the promo says
Show examples of the landscaping to be brick curved walkways and common space surrounded by lush greenery as well as what appears to be several traffic circles or elevated intersections.
UCT bulletin
The Lionstone Group and Sansone Group are proud to present our design concepts to the university club tower family of tenants. We have been working hard to create a vision for a mixed-use development that will enhance the surrounding community and provide a dynamic atmosphere for our tenants and visitors alike. Join us in our vision as we work together to create a one of a kind development for you and the city of RH.
Concept
The development concept incorporates the creation of a mixed use development combining office, retail, restaurant, and hotel uses linked by a variety of amenities. Streetscape and building facades with promote a unified character that will become the signature identity fot the development. Tenants and patrons will enjoy several landscaping features and move about the development with ease and comfort.
Parking
Two parking facilities complette with state of the art control equipment will be constructed as part of the development to meet the parking needs of all the tenants and patrons. Francis place enhancements will provide a centralized boulevard directing vehicles to multiple parking opportunities. An organized sequence of construction phasing will ensure a consistent level of parking availablility throughout the implementation of the project.
Timeline
Several months of planning has brought The Lionstone group and the Sansone Group to the final approval stage for the city of RH. Initial phases of construction will commence in the fall of 2007 and will include a parking structure and multi-level retail building. One of the hotels will get underway in conjunction with the roadway and site improvements. By phasing the construction we will minimize disruption and make efficient progress toward the completion of the project scheduled for fall 2009.
Show examples of the landscaping to be brick curved walkways and common space surrounded by lush greenery as well as what appears to be several traffic circles or elevated intersections.
This rendering could not look more awful. Where do I begin. The hotel towers look like they belong on a highway outside of Topeka. total garbage. The cheesy looking retail buildings look like they were designed in the early 90's. The "missing teeth" leftover buildings along Brentwood look horribly incorporated into the new design. Why don't they AT LEAST try something bold and new, make the buildings modern and go off the international/modern style of the UCT? Fake brick and the factory made stucco walling can be sent right down hwy 40 to Chesterfield Valley. I REALLY want to know who the architect is. Again, NOW I see why we are sinking to the bottom of the barrel architecturally as compared to the rest of the world. who likes this garbage? anyone on here? wow...
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Hotel groundbreaking approaches
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
02/07/2007
RICHMOND HEIGHTS — Officials involved with a $150 million hotel and retail project across from the Galleria announced Monday night that they hoped to break ground between mid-March and April 1.
The City Council approved the final plan for the project, which will feature two hotels, 30,000 square feet of retail space and parking for more than 600 automobiles. The hotels will be a 235-unit Westin and a 144-unit Homewood Suites by Hilton. The municipality's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the final plan last month.
The 7.4-acre site along Brentwood Boulevard near Clayton Road is owned by Lionstone Group, which also owns the adjacent 23-story University Club Tower. Equis Hospitality Group and Sansone Group are also involved.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
02/07/2007
RICHMOND HEIGHTS — Officials involved with a $150 million hotel and retail project across from the Galleria announced Monday night that they hoped to break ground between mid-March and April 1.
The City Council approved the final plan for the project, which will feature two hotels, 30,000 square feet of retail space and parking for more than 600 automobiles. The hotels will be a 235-unit Westin and a 144-unit Homewood Suites by Hilton. The municipality's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the final plan last month.
The 7.4-acre site along Brentwood Boulevard near Clayton Road is owned by Lionstone Group, which also owns the adjacent 23-story University Club Tower. Equis Hospitality Group and Sansone Group are also involved.
So long as they're not using Brentwood, you'ld think they'ld at least try and tie thier retail street in with the Boulevard's. It looks like they're just building right over where the road should connect. I hope it's just the rendering but I don't really think that's the case. It severely irritates me when developers fail to do obvious things that cost little to no money.
- 11K
^ I think this was covered earlier, but I believe there's a walkway or some kind of pass-through that lines up with the current Boulevard.
- 1,768
Realize that Galleria Parkway is a fairly formidable barrier to truly fusing these developments together.
While I'm sure they'll probably end up being complimentary, don't beat these guys up for not building sky bridges or anything (besides that would take away from pedestrian traffic.)
While I'm sure they'll probably end up being complimentary, don't beat these guys up for not building sky bridges or anything (besides that would take away from pedestrian traffic.)
TheWayoftheArch wrote:Realize that Galleria Parkway is a fairly formidable barrier to truly fusing these developments together.
While I'm sure they'll probably end up being complimentary, don't beat these guys up for not building sky bridges or anything (besides that would take away from pedestrian traffic.)
But I thought the Galleria Parkway was closing permanently because of the I64/I170 interchange reconstruction? That's what the MODOT person said on the KSDK news last night.
Edit: from the MODOT website
March: I-170 from Galleria Parkway to I-64, reduced from three lanes to two lanes in each direction and lanes shifted to the west. Ramps on south side of Galleria Parkway closed permanently. Eager Road lane reductions at I-170 intersection.
There's nothing on the website about what the Galleria Parkway/I170 interchange will look like when done.
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The on/off ramps may be closed for the rebuild, but the street itself will still be there...otherwise that Metrolink Station and Residence Inn are totally Boned!
- 11K
^ and the Galleria Parkway will still be the I-170 entrance when the 40/64 project is done. Of course you could still go south on Brentwood and get on 170 just south of 40/64.
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^Actually no. The on-ramp to SB I-170 and off-ramp from NB I-170 will each be permanently closed as part of New I-64. The preliminary design is linked here.
Although I'll miss my crazy U-turn for driving to Trader Joe's from WB 40 (yes, I would actually exit Galleria Parkway and turn back to SB I-170 to drive into the shopping center at Target), I won't miss having to walk across two highway ramps between the Richmond Heights station and the Boulevard; only the on-ramp to NB I-170 will remain among today's three ramps. Then again, if you look closely (zoom in) at the linked plans, you'll notice that all the retail along Eager will lose their direct access for 40 drivers wanting to return to the City as they do today via the Hanley on-ramp to EB 40. While I take the crazy, lane-crossing Galleria Parkway ramps as my U-turn from WB 40 to Trader Joe's, I at least take Eager Road back to the Hanley on-ramp to EB 40, since it's then a right turn out, but according to the linked plans, I won't be able to drive that return route either.
Although I'll miss my crazy U-turn for driving to Trader Joe's from WB 40 (yes, I would actually exit Galleria Parkway and turn back to SB I-170 to drive into the shopping center at Target), I won't miss having to walk across two highway ramps between the Richmond Heights station and the Boulevard; only the on-ramp to NB I-170 will remain among today's three ramps. Then again, if you look closely (zoom in) at the linked plans, you'll notice that all the retail along Eager will lose their direct access for 40 drivers wanting to return to the City as they do today via the Hanley on-ramp to EB 40. While I take the crazy, lane-crossing Galleria Parkway ramps as my U-turn from WB 40 to Trader Joe's, I at least take Eager Road back to the Hanley on-ramp to EB 40, since it's then a right turn out, but according to the linked plans, I won't be able to drive that return route either.
southslider wrote:^Actually no. The on-ramp to SB I-170 and off-ramp from NB I-170 will each be permanently closed as part of New I-64. The preliminary design is linked here.
Although I'll miss my crazy U-turn for driving to Trader Joe's from WB 40 (yes, I would actually exit Galleria Parkway and turn back to SB I-170 to drive into the shopping center at Target), I won't miss having to walk across two highway ramps between the Richmond Heights station and the Boulevard; only the on-ramp to NB I-170 will remain among today's three ramps. Then again, if you look closely (zoom in) at the linked plans, you'll notice that all the retail along Eager will lose their direct access for 40 drivers wanting to return to the City as they do today via the Hanley on-ramp to EB 40. While I take the crazy, lane-crossing Galleria Parkway ramps as my U-turn from WB 40 to Trader Joe's, I at least take Eager Road back to the Hanley on-ramp to EB 40, since it's then a right turn out, but according to the linked plans, I won't be able to drive that return route either.
I do that same "crazy" loop to that plaza or to other parts of that stretch of Eager.
The website just isn't clear. If I read it right there will be no exit/entry ramps from Galleria Parkway to 170. If that's right then all Galleria Parkway needs to be is 2 lanes in order to serve Metrolink, The Residence Inn and a north entrance to the parking garage instead of the 4 or 5 lanes it is now.
They could easily rebuild it as a slow-speed street with many easy pedestrian crossings to connect all the projects in this area.
- 11K
Galleria Parkway as two lanes would make room for real store fronts and sidewalk dinning, away from the traffic on Brentwood.
Grover wrote:Galleria Parkway as two lanes would make room for real store fronts and sidewalk dinning, away from the traffic on Brentwood.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
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are they going to start on this project? I see the crane equipment sitting on the ground and it hasn't be assembled yet. 
^Yeah, it's weird. The dissassembled cranes have been lying there for months now.
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They are either doing site prep or they are just using it as a staging area for the highway project. Either way there is activity at the site.
I wish they could make the retail look crazy modern, boxy to match the U Club building. Somewhat similar to the new "village" by the Ritz or something somewhat similar to Neiman Marcus. Perhaps the old Northland mall (deadmalls.com). These rendering s look like something out of 1995. BLEEEECHHHH.