Old Post Office (OPO) - 815 Olive Street

loulou · PostNov 21, 2005#512005-11-21T22:01+00:00

More state offices moving to the Old Post Office, according to the Business Journal. It sounds as though they're all moving from other parts of the city - just like all the tenants slated for the building. Most of them are already downtown.

Am I nuts? It seems like this project is drawing absolutely NO NEW OFFICE TENANTS to the city.

sorry if the link is bad - i've never done this before!

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... tory5.html

arch city · PostNov 21, 2005#522005-11-21T22:33+00:00

^It is said that when Denver was going through its renaissance government (local, state, and federal) departments/jobs were among the main tenants filling rehabs in downtown Denver.

The absorption of space by government tenants helped spur new development in and around downtown Denver, which eventually brought in new businesses.

Personally, I like the fact that Blunt is making state offices consolidate when possible. It saves taxpayers money and it makes state offices more centralized and convenient for residents.

matt drops the h · PostNov 21, 2005#532005-11-21T22:36+00:00

I never thought of it that way, Arch City. I still wish they'd announce a more exciting retail/restaurant tenant.

loulou · PostNov 21, 2005#542005-11-21T23:40+00:00

^^what, pasta house pronto isn't exciting enough for you? c'mon, they serve the toasted rav in REAL styrofoam.

and Arch City, I think you're being generous when you talk about the OPO resulting in "absorption" of downtown office space. because lots of the space in the building will count as new, and the tenants are basically moving across the street, it won't do much to help downtown's office vacancy rate.

but enough. i promise to behave (sigh).

(secretly, however, i will always give credit for the rejuvenation of this district to the redevelopers of the paul brown building, the chemical building and the renaissance hotel, NOT to the OPO.)

arch city · PostNov 22, 2005#552005-11-22T16:18+00:00

LouLou wrote:^^what, pasta house pronto isn't exciting enough for you? c'mon, they serve the toasted rav in REAL styrofoam.

and Arch City, I think you're being generous when you talk about the OPO resulting in "absorption" of downtown office space. because lots of the space in the building will count as new, and the tenants are basically moving across the street, it won't do much to help downtown's office vacancy rate.

but enough. i promise to behave (sigh).

LOL! LouLou, I am not being generous at all. I think you have a misunderstanding. Actually, I am stating what will become obvious once the dust has settled. Once departments move from the Wainwright Building to the OPO, others in the city/region, based on reports, will take vacated space in the Wainwright.

Although there is some shifting of jobs/departments about to take place, actually these moves do help vacancy rates downtown. Granted it is a rehab, a whole new office building is being absorb. Imagine the OPO not having tenants. The vacancy rate downtown would be even higher, but instead will hold steady despite a new building coming on the market. New tenants, albeit government, will be moving to downtown.

This might even be a plus for the downtown St. Louis office market from a potential developer's perspective.

urbanstlouis · PostJan 20, 2006#562006-01-20T20:33+00:00

<A HREF="http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.a ... 3">Webster University Opens New Downtown Campus</A>

created: 1/19/2006 10:10:31 PM

updated: 1/20/2006 9:49:53 AM

It's a new day for the old downtown St. Louis post office. Webster University officials cut the ribbon Thursday afternoon, marking the opening of their new, expanded 'Old Post Office' campus.

Webster had another downtown location for many years, but this one is bigger and more centrally located. Webster University's newest campus is twice the size of the former downtown campus. More than 500 students are enrolled for evening classes. Daytime classes will start in the summer.

<A HREF="http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.a ... ryid=91033">>>> read more</A>

xing · PostJan 20, 2006#572006-01-20T20:44+00:00

There's also a video at KSDK.com

soulardd · PostJan 20, 2006#582006-01-20T21:20+00:00

LouLou wrote:
(secretly, however, i will always give credit for the rejuvenation of this district to the redevelopers of the paul brown building, the chemical building and the renaissance hotel, NOT to the OPO.)

I agree with that.

I like ArchCity's positive outlook on the OPO. Everytime I rode my bike around there when the weather was warmer I felt that the OPO area had alot of potential. Seeing cool things like the Chemical Building, the Arcade Building, and the Paul Brown made me feel like there will be alot of people in that immediate area. Now hearing about Webster opening up there means that there'll be even more life in that area. It has a big city feel to it just standing down there. I think ArchCity's right, when the dust settles we'll see some encouraging things.

matt · PostJan 20, 2006#592006-01-20T21:41+00:00

One simple addition are period street lights and exterior architectural lighting. To me, lighting makes the different between night and day...in terms of viability and vibrancy of the district.

matguy70 · PostJan 21, 2006#602006-01-21T03:50+00:00

500 more people on the streets at night in the CBD - in addition to all the new condos, lofts and apts now open and under construction in the OPO - this is going to jump start this new district into an evening venue! Borders... would be best here if you ask me!

Great news.

xing · PostJan 21, 2006#612006-01-21T05:59+00:00

The Chemical Building should bring in a lot of people too... Well, a lot of people with money, it seems.

Expat · PostJan 21, 2006#622006-01-21T16:33+00:00

^A lot of people with money is a good thing for any city and for any downtown. That has been the missing element in the past.

matt · PostFeb 01, 2006#632006-02-01T20:40+00:00

Pigeons! The entire building exterior above the first floor appears to be completely draped in a mesh to keep it pigeon-free. It's rather interesting to see.

The new street lights are beautiful and I understand that the entire building will be architecturally lit by pin lights.

loulou · PostFeb 01, 2006#642006-02-01T22:07+00:00

Good! I love it when they light up beautiful facades like the one on the OPO.

xing · PostFeb 01, 2006#652006-02-01T22:16+00:00

Matt wrote:Pigeons! The entire building exterior above the first floor appears to be completely draped in a mesh to keep it pigeon-free. It's rather interesting to see.

The new street lights are beautiful and I understand that the entire building will be architecturally lit by pin lights.

I like pigeons.

steve · PostFeb 21, 2006#662006-02-21T20:14+00:00

Went on a little tour of this place today at lunch, and it is a truly amazing space. It will be gorgeous when finished. If you get a chance--and if the marshall lets you--check out the Court of Appeals courtroom. I was floored. Far, far more beautiful than renderings or photos.

I can see why this building sat vacant for so long. Not only is it intricately detailed, but it just doesn't have that much functional space. It's a lot of large, open hallways and stairways.

Anyway, check it out if you can. You have to see it in person.

matt · PostMar 23, 2006#672006-03-23T18:29+00:00

Does anyone have any information if the OPO is open to the public now?

Anyone know if they have a web site with information for customers, clients and investors?

I'm trying to locate how to rent some frickin space there and can't find anything about it on the web. It's like another St. Louis secret.

debaliviere · PostMar 23, 2006#682006-03-23T18:50+00:00

For leasing information, go to the "Available Properties" section of Desco's web site - www.descogroup.com - and select the OPO from the "Search by Name" drop-down menu.

Robert Randall is the leasing agent - 314-994-4064

southcitygent · PostMar 23, 2006#692006-03-23T18:59+00:00

I heard they were already 100% leased. If you have not been by yet everyone should go, the atrium is amazing. Can't wait for the Library to open.

debaliviere · PostMar 23, 2006#702006-03-23T19:02+00:00

The site says they have 55,000 sf available.

framer · PostMar 24, 2006#712006-03-24T04:59+00:00

^ Are we talking about office or retail?

southcitygent · PostMar 26, 2006#722006-03-26T00:49+00:00

The 100% percent occupancy was announced at the opening ceremony of the Old Post Office. My understanding is that reflects both retail and office space.

jcity · PostMar 26, 2006#732006-03-26T23:16+00:00

Matt, are you looking for office space?

xing · PostMar 26, 2006#742006-03-26T23:49+00:00

Drove by it the other day, and I was quite impressed, but the pink base of the building seems a bit off, unless it's temporary. It's great to see the difference in activity it has made.

matt · PostMar 27, 2006#752006-03-27T17:21+00:00

Thank you. I'm looking to rent space for a special event. I've got the contact info. for Webster Univ. space now.

Old Post Office (OPO) - 815 Olive Street

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