urbanSTL

^ I think the the city didn’t know the owner was willingly selling it

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... ce=twitter

"A local group has the vacant Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis under contract, business group Greater St. Louis Inc. and city development agency St. Louis Development Corp. said Thursday.

Greater St. Louis and SLDC didn't identify the prospective buyer, sharing details of the potential sale as part of a report the two groups produced on solving the vacancies at the Millennium Hotel and Railway Exchange Building in downtown St. Louis."

The report itself says: "A local entity submitted an offer to purchase the Millennium Hotel, and that offer has been agreed to by the property’s owner. The parties are currently finalizing details of the transaction, to be announced at a later date."

I suspect we’ll have some news maybe tomorrow about this?

What would they tell us tomorrow that we don't already know? 

They can't possibly actually have a site plan or renderings yet... right? 

What would they tell us tomorrow
demo or redo?

I hear that the initial plan is demolition and a gravel lot while a developer with a solid track record is found and willing to develop. We’ll see if that holds true

Chris Stritzel wrote:I hear that the initial plan is demolition and a gravel lot while a developer with a solid track record is found and willing to develop. We’ll see if that holds true

Oh that scares me.


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As much as I would be okay with Millennium Hotel getting kicked down, I'm not okay with it coming down until we have an actionable plan for the site. 

I would not be okay with a gravel site that ends up sitting there for years. 

Demolition is frightening but guess it has to be done sooner or later?

Not really scared of demolition. The building as-is is a complete eyesore and a scar on our skyline. It embodies the 1960s failures of urban renewal and is a constant reminder of St. Louis' long-lasting decline. While I would like for there to be a plan in place when demolition was to happen, I think people totally discount how much more valuable a vacant lot is to a developer than a large vacant building. Large vacant buildings require either the cost of demolition or force a developer to increase costs to re-construct and manipulate a not-ideal building to accommodate what they want.

I think the demolition of the shorter tower basically guaranteed, along with the connecting structure. The only way the taller tower remains is if a developer gets a stupid amount of tax credits. And if a serious developer can see a "Hudson Yards" type development here, then demolition is what it will have to be. In my opinion, the reason this property has not been redeveloped is because of the buildings. A new development would become much more attractive and easier without it.

I'm dismayed by how many of you are seemingly eager to destroy such a prominent local landmark.

The Millennium (nee Stoufer's) tower is a classic example of Mid Century Modern, an important architectural style. Its a key component of our skyline, and has a place in the hearts of many St. Louisans.

Just as we lament the previous, shortsighted destruction of so much of our built environment, future generations will wonder how we let this one go.

Unless and until a truly worthy replacement is assured, I'm firmly opposed to any knee-jerk demolition. Haven't we learned from the mistakes of the past?

The round tower is awesome
Revolving eatery YES!
Its NOT the same but it is our only building that is our Marina City tower (Chicago 1964-68)
Its what to do with it
Apartments? We need more? Lets get the chem, railway and oh ya that ATT going. 
Possibly condos?
Hotel? Le Méridien is empty so is that hole from the recent demo at the NW corner of Market at Jefferson. The Mark Twain re-do project??

For me it comes down to how poorly the site is utilized currently. It’s a terrible density. Site could hold three or four prominent buildings. Idk. Maybe something like a big corporate campus?

I’d like to see the building saved in the process but I don’t value it enough to compromise a larger redevelopment.

Also, it’s almost impossible to imagine the Cardinals aren’t a key stakeholder and supporter. What do they want? And how would a large redevelopment impact future phases of BPV.

I suspect there's already an interested developer.  With the branding opportunities visible from the stadium wouldn't Enterprise make the most logical choice?  Color me excited at the prospect of a unique architectural design adding to our money shot from the east side.  Hope that's exactly how it plays out.  

The St. Louis skyline hasn't seen meaningful change in decades. 

Look at the traditional postcard skyline view of the city in 1994 and in 2024. There really isn't much difference.

This is an opportunity to change the way St. Louis looks to the outside world -- and to ourselves. 

The site's land use is awful. Its interaction with the street and park are nonexistent. 

If they come up with a plan to keep the tower and destroy the entire base, with a more urban design put in place, I would be okay with that. But reclad the thing. Change it. 

The skyline needs to leave the Cold War. 

Put something new and modern and stunning on the forefront of the skyline on the Millennium site, have Gateway South breathe life south of the Arch, have a 25-story tower go up in Laclede's Landing, 2 Cardinal Way, and I think you're well on your way to showing the world that St. Louis is open for business.  

STLinCHI wrote: ↑

Sep 20, 2024

I suspect there's already an interested developer.  With the branding opportunities visible from the stadium wouldn't Enterprise make the most logical choice?  Color me excited at the prospect of a unique architectural design adding to our money shot from the east side.  Hope that's exactly how it plays out.  

There are plenty of interested developers but I don’t think GAPF has settled on a partner yet

framer wrote: ↑

Sep 20, 2024

I'm dismayed by how many of you are seemingly eager to destroy such a prominent local landmark.

The Millennium (nee Stoufer's) tower is a classic example of Mid Century Modern, an important architectural style. Its a key component of our skyline, and has a place in the hearts of many St. Louisans.

Just as we lament the previous, shortsighted destruction of so much of our built environment, future generations will wonder how we let this one go.

Unless and until a truly worthy replacement is assured, I'm firmly opposed to any knee-jerk demolition. Haven't we learned from the mistakes of the past?

It's an okay looking building, but if it's design is redundant in the modern world and no developer comes along who is willing to spend the money to gut the tower and build it out new while working within the constraints that it's design fundamentally holds....then it cannot stay. It remains to be seen, but I have high doubts that property stays vacant for 10 years if it's an empty lot or a more usable existing structure.

One of my favorite things about downtown is all the old buildings that have gotten re-used. A great example would be Ballpark Heights. Absolutely no good reason to tear down thatvl building for a high rise tower when the existing structure could reasonably be re-used. Mellinium may not, we don't really know yet.

Let's also not forget that Mellinium itself was a mistake and has contributed to St. Louis' less than ideal image.

Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑

Sep 19, 2024

I hear that the initial plan is demolition and a gravel lot while a developer with a solid track record is found and willing to develop. We’ll see if that holds true

Should be room for a lake and a softball field

STLinCHI wrote: ↑

Sep 20, 2024

I suspect there's already an interested developer.  With the branding opportunities visible from the stadium wouldn't Enterprise make the most logical choice?  Color me excited at the prospect of a unique architectural design adding to our money shot from the east side.  Hope that's exactly how it plays out.  

Always thought Enterprise would be pretty cool. Maybe get BMO bank to come too, as their regional offices are at Enterprise's campus. I know they've vacated a decent amount of their campus; I think an entire 260,000 square foot building is for lease. Their entire campus must be around 1 million square feet, probably only 55-60% occupied. Could build two office buildings and an apartment building that they could advertise as employee housing. Then in Clayton, the Enterprise campus could be redeveloped for housing.

But that's just what I think would be cool. Extremely unlikely to ever happen.

I get that this is prime real estate, but what is really the demand here? I dont see how we can add a bunch of office space and I think the Enterprise rumors are pretty unfounded from everyone I’ve talked to that works there. They aren’t looking to upgrade their offices.

Do we have room for additional hotel rooms or does it all need to be residential?


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framer wrote: ↑

Sep 20, 2024

I'm dismayed by how many of you are seemingly eager to destroy such a prominent local landmark.

I think part of this might be based upon the premise that we've been told the tower is in bad condition and has a floor plate that is not conducive to repurposing so we've already written it off. Not saying that it's true, just that it influences the discussion.

GAPF held a press conference at 10:00 am to announce and their next steps. Should probably see it in the 12 pm news