urbanSTL

blzhrpmd2 wrote: As it stands, however, what sounds more appealing for a couple on a Saturday morning dog walk? Down Washington Avenue or down South Broadway to Soulard? Or down Forsyth or Wydown along wooded streets, attractive homes, and rolling up to Kaldi's in Demun?

I can see the appeal for living in dt Clayton, but this dog walk scenario is a rather odd question.... it all depends upon personal preferences. A Saturday morning stroll with your partner and real love (your dog!) can be awesome in dt STL -- going to the Arch Grounds, down to the Landing, over to Citygarden, etc, etc, and rolling up on Rooster or Blondies or wherever else you prefer. To each his own.

But going back to One (and now Two) Light(s), as I mentioned they seem to be a bit of a "gamechanger" in attracting the wealthy to downtown living; whereas before the serious wealthy may have chosen the Plaza, more are choosing dt. Same could go for a BPV tower where people may entertain dt over say the upscale CWE or Clayton.

In trying to think like a 20 something, it seems the walk to city garden or the Arch, while ultra urban and worthy of merit, is likely accompanied by more objectionable visual stimulation compared to Clayton and the surrounding areas. I have nothing against downtown living whatsoever, but the original statement is more a surprised response that someone doesn't get why people choose to live in Clayton. As you said, to each their own.

That rendering is reminiscent of the Liebskind tower in northern KY one can see from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati......c'mon Dewitts/STL, these are "peer markets".....let's play some catch up.

^ The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge



That is pretty awesome, although much smaller than what nuCLEus hopes to be.

I'm again a bit befuddled on why things are picking up so much in other downtowns the past few years (albeit that one above is in Covington) while our growth seems to be concentrated elsewhere in the Central Corridor.... pre-recession, I'd say downtown had maybe 75% of the activity while post-recession I'd say it may be the reverse; the percentages surely are off some but I think the point is solid. And if the recession didn't happen or wasn't as deep I think at least a few of those high-flying high-rise proposals would have been built at least in some form. Fundamentally, I think there was some kind of market shift towards CWE and Clayton post-recession. Did the rise of Cortex as a factor have an impact? Lack of oomph and focus with downtown stakeholders?

Anyway, I don't think there are any excuses left for Cordish/Cards and they need to get going.

Downtown is certainly lacking when comparing it to peer downtowns. However, how many of those peer cities having more development in their downtown would be envious of the boom that is happening in the CWE? That question is bot a statement of perspective and a genuine question, because I'm not that familiar with other cities' developments. The CWE has a booming employer in CORTEX and the BJC/WashU medical campus, and then multiple solid infill projects ranging from 6-12 stories, and then even more outside the Euclid/Lindell heart of the CWE.

I know people look at the Clayton skyline with envy and a sense of missed opportunities, but when viewing St. Louis as a whole (meaning the region and what people outside the region consider "St. Louis"), Clayton adds to the big city vibe. Being in the CWE, with downtown and Grand Center behind you, and seeing yet another cluster of high-rises in the near-distance really gives one the feeling of being in a large, expansive city with multiple "happening" places.

Now, does this "feeling" makeup for the economic hardships that such division causes other areas of the region (i.e. Downtown)? Of course not. But I'm just trying to find a silver-lining and give a different way of looking at it. To most non-St. Louisians, Clayton is St. Louis and St. Louis is Clayton.

Regarding the vibe or feel between Clayton-Forest Park-CWE-Midtown-Downtown, I think regional marketing misses an opportunity to visually showcase those characteristics. A national audience should no longer be shown pictures of downtown or the Arch in isolation. The views on this site inclusive of downtown Clayton to the Arch should be our postcard. Obviously it's a small piece of the puzzle, but to me promotes a better image during some challenging times.

^ can't wait for that STLCOP Phase II building to come.... that will really fill up Taylor nicely. Does Wash U have any plans for the parcel though at the top of Taylor that's now surface parking?

Also, here is a good look at the Cleveland Clinic Master Plan developed by Foster + Partners
http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/ ... ter_p.html

A new master plan completed by Ohio’s second-biggest employer envisions a big, green future for the institution’s 160-acre main campus west of University Circle...

Just finished reading $2 a Day, about the millions of Americans who live on essentially no income. Very readable, it uses case studies to describe lifestyles. Big part of me was thankful the authors chose Cleveland instead of St. Louis for their "Midwestern city that used to be thriving" example. But I could easily see how closely it tracked our own city. It made me realize that most cities have similar issues for people living on the edge.