Maybe today, we'll see. The end of the semester has gotten quite hectic. I didn't even get to the ballpark yesterday.
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April 17 2005
Sorry I could Only get a pic from what will be the back end of the Park East. Still diggin!
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Sorry I could Only get a pic from what will be the back end of the Park East. Still diggin!
Drilling and pouring concrete too. One of these days I will get some more pics up.
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The official groundbreaking event for Park East Tower will be held tomorrow (Thursday, April 21) from 4:00 until 6:30 PM with the official groundbreaking ceremony taking place between 4:15 to 4:40 PM.
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April 21, 2005 - Local city dignitaries and Central West End residents gathered at Euclid and Laclede for official groundbreaking ceremonies for Park East Tower.
Central West End Welcomes Park East Tower High-Rise
by Bob Moore, SLFP.com
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) April 24, 2005 - For the first time in over 30 years, a luxury, 26-story, high-rise condominium is being built in the heart of St. Louis at Euclid and Laclede in the Central West End.
John Pitcher, Director of Real Estate Development and head of OPUS' St. Louis office, proudly announced during ground breaking ceremonies that this 21st century, art-deco style building was their first residential development in St. Louis. "And we are thrilled to do so," he stated to Central West End residents and local city officials.
"None of this would be happening today, however, without the commitment of many people here. Our vision is to offer unparalleled amenities, amazing views and urban vitality to attract buyers from throughout the metropolitan area and other cities," continued Pitcher.
Pitcher noted that the building would be equipped with many modern conveniences from door attendant and enclosed parking to gourmet kitchens, private terraces, fitness center, club room, outdoor terrace and swimming pool.
Mark and Jenny Sadow, from University City, and Greg Frankenfeld, Central West End resident, enthusiastically compare where their units will be located at the Park East Tower, under construction at Euclid and Laclede.
Floor plan options vary from one-bedroom to three bedroom condominiums to ultra luxurious penthouse residences. Prices for the condominium homes will range from $250,000 to over $1 million based upon home size and location within the building.
In an interview with Saint Louis Front Page following the ceremonies, Pitcher stated, "I was quite surprised to see the number of people from outside the city and from outside the Central West End that have bought units from us."
"We have actually 65% of the units sold. We sold about 50% in the first five months of the project. We expect to be sold out by late fall which will be about a year ahead of time the first units will be delivered to the buyers," stated Pitcher
A new urban environment in the heart of the City
This is an exciting project, a new high-level watermark for the city, stated St. Louis 17th Ward Alderman Joe Roddy.
St. Louis 17th Ward Alderman Joe Roddy echoed the enthusiasm of Pitcher in relating information to Saint Louis Front Page concerning other projects in the Central West End.
"We have 200 new units going up down the street here," stated Roddy. "The Forest Park Hotel has just reopened with 120 units. We have a new hotel that just opened up a block away. And, we have a number of developments that are going on in the area."
"This $50 million project is going to be an important contributing factor, not only with the 89 units but with the 8,000 square feet of retail space."
"You have more residents living on these couple of blocks than anywhere in the area. In other words, there's just a whole lot of people living in a relatively small area," stated Roddy.
Roddy commented on the economic impact of this density for the Central West End. "What that means is that all those people go out and they just want to buy stuff. They just walk around. It's a very pedestrian oriented environment," stated Roddy.
"In Chicago, you have the Lincoln Park area and in Boston, you have the Back Bay," Roddy continued. "So you create an environment, where people can live without an automobile because you are only a short walk to the MetroLink stop."
"As we get more and more people living down here, we hope to be getting all kinds of new retail, like small grocery stores. It will be a new, exciting urban environment."
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay put on a hard hat and joined John Pitcher, Director of Real Estate Development and head of OPUS' St. Louis office, St. Louis Alderman Joe Roddy, St. Louis City Treasurer Larry Williams, and OPUS representatives in official ground breaking ceremonies at Park East Tower in the Central West End.
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Am I the only one entertained by the idea of a small grocery store when there's a Schnucks on Delmar (1 mile), a Straubs on Kingshighway(1/2 miles at farthest), and the residents can hop th Metro to City Grocer downtown. This was my first reaction then I remembered an older voice
"there was a store on every corner" before large grocery stores and few people drove cars besides sunday.
I would be glad if southern Euclid could be that dense to support it's own small grocery store that services the higher income and lower, and a walgreens/ 7-11 store or something for the usual items. That means more Park Easts. One large piece of real estate is a parking lot at Euclid and Lindell across from the Schlafly library/parking garage. That lot could really be taken advantage of with a hidden parking garage, several residental towers, street retail (maybe two or three floor stores), offices, and other uses. Anyone else dreaming of more parking lots being redeveloped? Hurry up OPUS, we want more!
I know I sound like a gawking nerd, but when Park East opens there should be tours for a few weeks.
"there was a store on every corner" before large grocery stores and few people drove cars besides sunday.
I would be glad if southern Euclid could be that dense to support it's own small grocery store that services the higher income and lower, and a walgreens/ 7-11 store or something for the usual items. That means more Park Easts. One large piece of real estate is a parking lot at Euclid and Lindell across from the Schlafly library/parking garage. That lot could really be taken advantage of with a hidden parking garage, several residental towers, street retail (maybe two or three floor stores), offices, and other uses. Anyone else dreaming of more parking lots being redeveloped? Hurry up OPUS, we want more!
I know I sound like a gawking nerd, but when Park East opens there should be tours for a few weeks.
I'm sure you meant the Schnucks on Lindell, instead of Delmar. The one on Delmar closed about eight months ago. By the way, I hear they are remodeling the Schnucks on Lindell. Thank God; it's about time. What to do with the site at Delmar and Kingshighway or the entire strip of Delmar from Kingshighway west to Union?- does anyone else remember Bevco's 3 legged cat?
Come on, I think if there were a small local grocery store it could only be a positive thing. Walking to get groceries rules.
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According to the Midtown strategic plan on the Planning Agency;s website says that Delmar and Kingshighway is too be redeveloped and serve as an entrance to the CWE.
Also on Euclid near Delmar the city has aimed for an outdoor market like Soulard's, which is why I am skeptical of so many grocery stores that have less fresh or healthy foods than the produce from local or regional farmers.
Schnucks gets some of their vegetables and fruits from South America because it's cheaper, but not healthier or fresh. Thanks for the location correction.
Also on Euclid near Delmar the city has aimed for an outdoor market like Soulard's, which is why I am skeptical of so many grocery stores that have less fresh or healthy foods than the produce from local or regional farmers.
Schnucks gets some of their vegetables and fruits from South America because it's cheaper, but not healthier or fresh. Thanks for the location correction.
SMSPlanstu wrote:Schnucks gets some of their vegetables and fruits from South America because it's cheaper, but not healthier or fresh.
source?
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According to emporis The Park East Tower will be the tallest building outside of Downtown.
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=152309
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=152309
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That's not true.
The Plaza at Clayton residential tower is 400 feet as listed in the World Almanac.
The Plaza at Clayton residential tower is 400 feet as listed in the World Almanac.
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SMSPlanstu wrote:That's not true.
The Plaza at Clayton residential tower is 400 feet as listed in the World Almanac.
I think they meant within city limits.
Sorry to bring up old business, but i just read this thread all the way through and enjoyed the discussion on the height & location of Park East. It is only a couple of blocks from a Metrolink station in a very popular neighborhood. It makes perfect sense to build tall & high density near this station. But even without the station, CWE has a tradition of high rises next to low rises. It is part of the charm of the neighorhood. You see buildings high and low representing every decade of the 1900's. I am glad to see the tradition continue with something modern and tall. I like the design and feel it fits with the mood of the CWE. It isn't like they are taking down a precious Worlds Fair building to build it. Does anybody remember that before the parking lot there was a tall 1950's office building? This tall building is replacing a tall building. (admittedly not nearly as tall as the new one). It was ugly. but the first floor drug store was convenient and there was a newstand on the corner sidewalk. I loved buying my newspaper from the lady and her dog that often spent the night in the newstand, weather permitting. This is my old neighborhood and I am excited about this building.
Thanks. I was wondering what was there originally. The foundation was still there when they dug up the parking lot.
I don't think I ever did post those pics. Oh well. I have them this time.
There is four more collumns now, and solid wall is also going up in front of those collumns. The forms are off the first four collumns. I would think a tower crane will be going up soon. I drove by today, but genious me didn't think to stop and take pics.
There is four more collumns now, and solid wall is also going up in front of those collumns. The forms are off the first four collumns. I would think a tower crane will be going up soon. I drove by today, but genious me didn't think to stop and take pics.
MattinSTL, thanks for posting these pics. I am really excited about this building. If I lived nearby, I would be checking it out everyday. For now, I am living through you guys. Laclede & Euclid is on my list for favorite intersection in the world --- for personal reasons. The last time I was in town, I parked my rental car at Laclede & Euclid and realized I was home. It was my neighborhood for years. Sorry to be sappy and personal.
HEy , I've been reading from this place for a while, I just finally joined in. I've been following the park east in particular because my freinds dad , John Pitcher is the developer.
Good News, according to my freind, his dad recently bought a property I believe on lindell near the 4545 property and plans on doing a similar project. He appears to be getting pretty aggressive in the city. Next time I get a chance I'm gonna see if he has interest in downtown.
Wouldn't it be great if opus made the big jump to do it downtown.
Good News, according to my freind, his dad recently bought a property I believe on lindell near the 4545 property and plans on doing a similar project. He appears to be getting pretty aggressive in the city. Next time I get a chance I'm gonna see if he has interest in downtown.
Wouldn't it be great if opus made the big jump to do it downtown.Somebody/s going to have to do it downtown soon, so maybe it will be Opus.
Downtown seems poised to get a new tower soon. What frustrates me is the lack of new development in Midtown. With all those vacant lots, why hasn't anyone stepped up to build some new, modern multi-family buildings? The location couldn't be beat with all the activity going on in the CWE and downtown. Where are the developers?