I just walked by the Marquette, and it's looking really good. The Broadway facade has been given a thorough cleaning, and it looks much whiter and brighter now.
My only problem with this project is the fact that two lanes of Broadway have been closed to accomodate scaffoldings, trucks, etc. It really messes up traffic in the area, and I hope the lanes re-open soon.
Locust is permanently closed, but as far as I know, Broadway is not. The lanes on Broadway are for construction stageing. Broadway is an interesting drive with the left lanes closed at the Fed and Marquette, and the right lanes closed at the stadium.
The lanes in front of the Fed are now open and the construction equipment is gone.
It looks like they've cut a hole in the street in front of the Marquette, so I guess they're doing some underground work in connection with the construction too.
Of course, I'm being selfish in my complaining because my drive home takes me all the way down Broadway. I'm definitely glad for all the work that's being done.
Last night I passed by on Braodway at about 9:30 p.m. and saw multiple groups of people walking down Locust crossing Broadway. I'm not sure if there was an event going on, but I got excited to see people walking downtown on a regular thursday night.
Hey everyone. I've been reading this board for quite some time, so I figured it was about time to join this thing. Anyway, today I purchased a 2 bedroom condo at the Marquette and I'm extremely excited. I currently work downtown, actually worked down there for the past 4 years, and it's amazing to see the turnaround. I am seeing a great change in the way people view downtown. Anyway, I have seen some posts regarding adding a bookstore downtown. As I was signing my contract this morning, the people at the Marquette told me that they are pushing for a bookstore and a restaurant in the spaces provided for retail on the lower levels. Nothing is set in stone yet, but that is the direction they want to head. I'll add more details as they become available.
STL_Rising wrote:Hey everyone. I've been reading this board for quite some time, so I figured it was about time to join this thing. Anyway, today I purchased a 2 bedroom condo at the Marquette and I'm extremely excited. I currently work downtown, actually worked down there for the past 4 years, and it's amazing to see the turnaround. I am seeing a great change in the way people view downtown. Anyway, I have seen some posts regarding adding a bookstore downtown. As I was signing my contract this morning, the people at the Marquette told me that they are pushing for a bookstore and a restaurant in the spaces provided for retail on the lower levels. Nothing is set in stone yet, but that is the direction they want to head. I'll add more details as they become available.
Welcome to the forum (officially) and thanks for the info!
Thanks for the warm welcomes. Construction is actually ahead of schedule on the Marquette and they are saying that it will be completely finished by November 06. They are hoping they may be able to move some of the people in by late summer. Anyway, I have to go down there in a couple months to pick out the colors for the walls and things of that nature . . . I'm hoping at that time I will get more information for you guys on the status of the retail spots. Stay tuned . . .
I'm curious as to what will happen to the shoe repair shop. It moved from the Marquette to the Security Building, but the space it's in looks pretty temporary, so I'm wondering if it will be moving back to the Marquette when the retail space is ready. But then again, will it be able to afford the rent?
I'm really hoping for a new bar or restaurant to open in the first floor of the Security Building - it is awesome space, and with the completion of the Federal Reserve plaza, outdoor seating could be added.
The Marquette Building was one of my favorites in St. Louis, and is ideal for a loft/condominium rehabilitation effort.
The development is in an interesting location. It is a fairly good distance from Washington Ave, the most vibrant hub of downtown development.
Ideally, this building, with a little luck and along with some retail and light commercial development, may end up creating contiguous development from the new Busch Stadium/Ballpark Village to the south, stretching up through Washington Aveneue and to the Edward Jones Dome/Bottle District to the north.
Given 3-5 years, assuming all proposed developments are eventually built, this might be realistic. If there is one thing you lack in St. Louis, it is continuous development, especially downtown. What I see right now is that I can walk on Washington Avenue and a 3-4-block area looks great. Venture off Washington more than a block or two, and everything looks as it did 5 years ago. Five years from now, I would expect people from out of town to get a hotel room downtown and be able to walk several blocks in an environment that is safe and vibrant. Imagine how different St. Louis will look when and if that happens.
Not to place too much emphasis on downtown, because as anyone knows, it is the neighborhoods that make St. Louis. But downtown has been a disgrace. No matter what anyone wants to believe, your downtown is the ambassador for your city. By virtue of its very name, the connotations of ?downtown? imply that it is the centralized, most vibrant area of your city. Anyone visiting St. Louis or any other city with limited knowledge of it does not know where the best neighborhoods are, what they are called, or how to get there.
That is why developments like this are so key in St. Louis. No one would ever deny that Soulard or the Central West End are unique, vibrant urban neighborhoods with an enviable urban fabric. But 95% of people visiting St. Louis for a convention or the Final Four are not going to take the time to explore neighborhoods in a city they know nothing about. They are going to get a hotel room downtown, see what downtown has to offer, then cultivate an opinion about your city based on that. As we all know, the perception has not been very good, especially among St. Louis suburbanites, who probably talk the worst about the city of anyone (at least that has been my personal experience...the worst things I hear about St. Louis are from someone who lives in the county or St. Charles).
But it is refreshing to visit St. Louis and come on a forum such as this one and notice all of the new interest and activity in the city. I've noticed some drastic changes in perception lately, and I have come to admire the recent changes downtown. Long way to go? Sure. On the right track? Absolutely. I wish this would have happened years ago.
Quick question: For new loft/condo owners in downtown St. Louis, what is the parking situation like? How much are parking spots going for down there?
SLU_Alum wrote:Quick question: For new loft/condo owners in downtown St. Louis, what is the parking situation like? How much are parking spots going for down there?
You usually get one underground parking spot with your condo/loft purchase. If there are extra spots available for sale they can range from $8,000 for a compact tandem to about $12,000 for a regular tandem and up to around $18,000 for a completely separate second spot. You can also purchase a lift for around $11,000 if your garage has the height for one. But I am noticing now that some developments do not have enough spots for the building and I honestly don't know what they are doing. I think they are trying to acquire spots in nearby parking lots for its residents or I suppose they are just selling the units with off street parking.
SLU_Alum wrote:
Quick question: For new loft/condo owners in downtown St. Louis, what is the parking situation like? How much are parking spots going for down there?
Hahaha, careful there... you may stike a nerve in this forum when you ask if STL has enough parking downtown! By the way, we have pleny(even way too much as many would say), and market value of a spot is 15k-18k, but EVERY loft/condo comes with at least one spot, except for a few tying to get over on people. Those few are trying to convince people to put a market spot into their mortgage(good luck with that guys).
Has anyone heard of any comparable condo developments to the Marquette building? In my opinion, it has a great location and offers something that the loft style condos do not in the current market. Just wondering if there are other traditional style condo developments planned? Thanks
The parking spots in the Marquette aren't actually being sold, but rather leased. The garage is owned or partially owned by the Hilton. Every condo comes with one spot. You can lease another spot for $900 or $1600 per year. $900 for uncovered. $1600 for covered.
mbow76 wrote:Has anyone heard of any comparable condo developments to the Marquette building? In my opinion, it has a great location and offers something that the loft style condos do not in the current market. Just wondering if there are other traditional style condo developments planned? Thanks
Check out The Syndicate. They will be similar in finish, but will have more amenities and equally if not better location. www.synidcateliving.com
mbow76 wrote:Has anyone heard of any comparable condo developments to the Marquette building? In my opinion, it has a great location and offers something that the loft style condos do not in the current market. Just wondering if there are other traditional style condo developments planned? Thanks
Check out The Syndicate. They will be similar in finish, but will have more amenities and equally if not better location. www.synidcateliving.com
Thanks for the advice. Do you know anything about their pricing compared to Marquette? How about planned move-in date?
I like that the syndicate building will have some common areas...5 artist galleries, rooftop patio, media/theater room for residents (which I think is awesome).
mbow76 wrote:Thanks for the advice. Do you know anything about their pricing compared to Marquette? How about planned move-in date?
Not sure about pricing but bet you it will have a few that are under $200 a SF but most probably slightly to moderately over. And I think move-ins will be mid 2007.
OU812 wrote:Not sure about pricing but bet you it will have a few that are under $200 a SF but most probably slightly to moderately over. And I think move-ins will be mid 2007.
Just curious. I actually put a reservation on a Marquette condo this past weekend so I have a few days to make it final. Just doing my homework before I take the final plunge. I appreciate the insight.
Just wanted to let everyone know that a new restaurant/lounge is going in where the ?Summit? used to be. It?s just south of the Marquette building, right across the street. The guy inside told me that it was going to be an Italian Restaurant during the lunch and evening hours, and at night, turn into a lounge similar to what they have going on at Nectar. Nice to see some new places going up outside of just Washington Avenue. Still would like to see a neighborhood type bar go in around this area. Still working on getting more info on the retail within the Marquette.
I recently reserve a unit in marquette building. I canot wait for the construction to finish so I can move in. Downtown STL is back!!!!!!!!