urbanSTL

Am I missing something? I haven't seen anything about a skybridge.

MattnSTL wrote:Am I missing something? I haven't seen anything about a skybridge.

This is from the article above:



"There also are plans to build a bridge walkway between the Marquette and a new parking garage that opens onto Olive Street."

Does anyone know if they have displays open to the public on the weekends? I would love to check it out some Sunday. Also, I have always wondered why, if the Post was so pro city why they don't feature a couple of pages for free in the Sunday Folio to those developers who work in the city. I love reading the Chicago Tribune and NY Times real estate sections about those cities urban housing offerings.

The Locust Street plaza will also involve taking a lane of traffic on Broadway and on Fourth to expand the security perimeter of the Fed. The design calls for period street lights, fountains, bronze medallians in the sidewalks, flower beds, decorative ballastrudes, and seating. It was either this or build a new building elsewhere. Along with a renovated Security Building, this part of downtown will be transformed.

The Marquette Building clock looks fantastic and the retail storefronts are looking pretty good as well. I hope that Lawrence Group can get some good tenants for the Marquette and Security Buildings - having some good bars or restaurants there would add so much to that area. I gotta think that the residents of the Mansion House complex would appreciate having something nice directly across the street. Right now, there really isn't all that much in the vicinity of the complex.

urbanstlouis wrote:

MattnSTL wrote:Am I missing something? I haven't seen anything about a skybridge.

This is from the article above:



"There also are plans to build a bridge walkway between the Marquette and a new parking garage that opens onto Olive Street."

Thanks, I don't know how I missed that.

I'm from Indiana and I just signed my contract on a unit. Downtown St. Louis is such a nice place to visit I just wanted my own place here. I have Cards and Rams season tickets and cann't think of a better place to own. Love what they are doing in the Marquette Building and cann't wait till my unit is ready to move into. You guys from St. Louis are lucky to have the great downtown area, the arch, the casino's, the Cards, the Rams, the Blue's (when they play), and everything in the area. I'm glad to finally be apart of it.

Welcome to St. Louis!

Thanks DeBaliviere I appreciate that. I also have met 3 other people that have signed contracts on units and everyone seems to be very excited about this whole project. Thanks again, GLH

Wow! Three more people, are they from Indiana too? Welcome to STL or the temporary name the "Lou" and were proud too have you, especially Downtown! You're getting in before the major projects like Bottle District and Ballpark village lower the affordability of Downtown, and will give you a nice appreciation in real estate.

Thanks for the welcome. The other people I have met already live in the St. Louis area and are looking forward to living downtown. I'm hoping for appreciation in my unit, there seems to be alot happening downtown. Maybe it will be worth more than my purchase price before I ever have to pay for it. That would be nice.

Hey:



Once again - welcome to St. Louis.



I was just curious how you wold compare the two downtown areas. I've been told that we could learn a lot form Indianapolis - but I haven;t really been there enough to evaluate the issue for myself.



Mark

I live about 60 miles from Indy and even though I think Indy is a nice city, I don't think it in any way compares to St. Louis. I live closer to Indy, Chicago, and Cincinnati but I'm more comfortable driving in St Louis than any of these other cities and I think the downtown is by far the best looking city. I don't want to run down these other cities, but for me I wouldn't even think of owning a place in any of them. I have friends that think I'm crazy when I tell them I purchased a 2nd home in St. Louis, but I think I'm lucky to find such a place in downtown St. Louis, and I don't think they know what their missing. GLH

Yes, you are lucky, you're catching the upswing, the Chicago of the 1980's. St. Louis doesn't have the density and population of Chicago but we have everything else, including the beauty and character. Plus way better qualiy of life.

^and an up and coming downtown which folks better buy into today (this year and next) because tomorrow (2007 and out) it will only become more expensive!

The 21-story historic Marquette Building located at 314 North Broadway is well on its way through a $30 million renovation and restoration. Lawrence Group Properties is spearheading the project that involves the lower two levels of the building being developed for retail and commercial spaces, with the YMCA (a present tenant) on the third and fourth floors, and the remaining floors converted into 115 apartments and condominiums.



The Classical Revival style Marquette was designed by architects Eames & Young, constructed in 1912-13 as the Boatmen's Bank building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The renovation promises to "blend features of the original architecture with state-of-the-art convenience". This includes the lobby being restored to its original elegance and the original McClintock clock has already been rebuilt and recently returned to its original site at the corner of Olive and Broadway.



Pricing ranges from $170,000 to $350,000 for the condominiums. The Marquette building is owned by TLG Marquette LLC and is being developed by The Lawrence Group Properties. The YMCA will lease space from TLG Marquette LLC. The Lawrence Group Properties is also renovating the neighboring Security Building.

IN DEPTH: STRUCTURES: HISTORIC REDEVELOPMENT

From the May 13, 2005 print edition



<A HREF="http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... 4.html">23 units already sold in redeveloped Marquette</A>

Leigh O'Keefe



Of the 82 condominium units being developed in the Marquette building, 23 have been sold and five are on hold for potential buyers for a refundable $1,000, according to the project's developer Steve Smith, president of The Lawrence Group, which purchased the 19-story former office building in 2004 for $4.9 million. The St. Louis-based architectural design firm is spending $53 million on the redevelopment of the building into 82 condominiums and 40 apartments, 25,000 square feet of first floor retail space, and on minor adjustments to long-time tenant YMCA's space.



<A HREF="http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ocus4.html">>>> read more</A>

I was there last weekend and over half of the 82 units are sold now. Cann't wait till my unit is done.

Great news on the Marquette!



I think it's remarkable that pre-sales in some of the larger, more difficult-to-develop projects are so strong!

STL PD



NEW PLAYERS: Christopher Zoellner, who jumped ship from G.J. Grewe Inc. several months ago, has set up a new shop, Foundation Commercial, to lease retail property. Kurt Lord joined the company last week from Koman Properties.



Zoellner already represents the Starbucks, Qdoba, and Texas Roadhouse chains. He and Lord scored a coup by signing a contract last week to market all the commercial property Lawrence Group is developing. Lawrence Group is building the Marquette Lofts, restoring the Security building and converting the former South Side National Bank into lofts and a restaurant, among other projects.

IN DEPTH: STRUCTURES

From the September 23, 2005 print edition

Follow up



<A HREF="http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... >Marquette, University Village projects lure future tenants</A>

Victoria Saeland



The redevelopment of the Marquette Building downtown is moving along ahead of schedule.



Now, a couple of months into the project, more than 50 percent of the condominiums are sold. Jerry Best, director of development services for the Lawrence Group, said they have sold 42 contracts and are holding one reservation.



<A HREF="http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... ocus6.html">>>> read more</A>

50 percent sold shows incredible market demand for downtown I think.



Walking by the building today it occured to me that this will be the most opulent, upscale condo address in the region. The exterior of the Marquette is amazing and, when restored, will be a palace. Makes the base price of $170K seem too affordable.

I personally thought the floor plans to be small and impractical for the price especially the living/dining areas. However I am ecstatic to see this building reused.

From what I could see on their website, I really liked the floor plans and think it would be an incredible place to live. And they seem like a bargain to me, but that is compared to DC prices.

I looked at the place back in early July. When I walked into the showroom, the Marquette was my number one choice of properties in St Louis.... After a tour, I realized I couldn't afford to live there. At $220 per square foot and up, the "affordable" floor plans are WAAAY too small. Good luck getting a full size couch in the ~$170K "aalto" units. They are flipping tiny. The corner "eames" units are a bit larger, but I prefer not to be looking out onto a parking garage (all that was left that I could afford were looking out onto the adjacent parking garage). If you can afford one of the two larger floor plans, it would be a great place to live.



Interesting Story: After my grandfather graduated from college during the early days of WWII, he took a job in St Louis while waiting to be commissioned into the Army (he was too young at the time). He worked in a bank that was accross the street from the Marquette...all the while he stayed in the YMCA at the Marquette! I thought it would be neat to live in the same building my grandfather had lived in over 60 years earlier.



While I don't need lots of square footage, I certainly need a place larger than 800 square feet (and the 800 square feet are divided into too many rooms in my opinion). My guess is that the smaller units will fill up with folks who are not full time residents, but rather who are often staying in town for business or sports. The two larger floorplans will definately attract a high dollar clientele. Great building, but too much $$$ for my blood.



Animal