urbanSTL

2 different companies. I doubt it

^If you want a dense new neighborhood mix, including midrises, why on earth would you start by tearing down existing midrises? I'd love to see new construction added to Purina's campus, but there's no reason to tear down what's already there.

I think he meant do away with the modern type structures and replace them with infill matching Lafayette Square. However, I agree with you that added density to Checkerboard Square leaving current structures intact might be a better idea.

The Purina campus could use a fresh start. Maybe this would be more easily done if Purina moved. It's a great location - hopefully some infill can be added. Lacking a groundswell in favor of my Manchester Avenue soccer stadium, I declare the Purina surface lots as an alternative!

It looks like the building could've been the one to the SW of the Stadium, south of the highway. This is the location that I think would work great.



I love that pic, except for the excessive parking lots south of the lake. What is up w/ that? What a horrific mistake that would be.

Holy crap.



I had no idea it was that massive. Can anyone say 'parking garage'?

trent wrote:Holy crap.



I had no idea it was that massive. Can anyone say 'parking garage'?

Or underground parking? If you're going to completely redevelop the land anyway, it's time to do it right.

Well, remember, Ralston Purina is no longer a St. Louis company, bought by Nestle (which I believe is a European company). Don't know if this is good or bad as far as developing the land within the campus goes. I hope the city can work with them on this as, needless to say, a lot of valuable real estate is wasted in those surface lots. A multilevel parking structure (realistically, two or three at key locations) would be a vast improvement not only aesthetically, but for meer ease of movement throughout the campus. I know...I've done artwork for them (early 90's before the buy out), and parking and walking to my destination, especially with project in hand on a breezy day, was a big pain in the katukus.

That being said, I really like what's shown in the rendering on the north shore of the lake and hate all that wasted surface parking on the south.

(P.S. Where is the Blanke Building in this rendering (13th & Chouteau) ...the big old grey building? RP also had offices in it...rented from the owner who did a really nice rehab, and had a huge loft on the top floor.)

Let's take this back to subject...



MW Tower proposal

Framer wrote:^Notice that it's in their "vision" section. That's where they put the buildings that never had a chance of being built. (Let's hope they're wrong about this one)

Interestingly enough, this building is now in a "proposed" state on Emporis. Might this mean that the tower has been officially proposed to the city?



http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=268892

Hello there.



I was in Entrepreneurship class tonight at Saint Louis University where we have a guest speaker every week. Kevin McGowan was the first one. He spoke for almost an hour, and then we, the students, were allowed to ask questions for the twenty minutes.



A question was asked about that picture of the tower on mcgowanwalsh.com, and Kevin responded that that is NOT their tower.



He said the tower that they are about to announce is going to be 81 stories--NOT 71. It will be announced within 60 days. He said, in his opinion, it's GOT to be located on Choteau Lake, because he has so much vision for Chouteau Lake, it is THE place to be. Plus, he said, it will really help Choteau Lake transition from a vision to a reality with a project like this alongside it.



He said that the lowest floor with residences will be higher up than any other building in Saint Louis, even higher than the arch. Below is mixed use. 85% of the funding for the project is achieved.



He had a ton of great stories, is very passionate, and seems like a great person. Incredible, eh?

So the tower has been updated to 81 stories insead of 71 eh? If this is true then that is great! We should probably continue this discussion in the correct thread since we're talking about the same tower, just 81 stories now insdead of 71? No need for a duplicate thread.

http://www.urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?t=2676&start=300

I will be anxiously awaiting the next 60 days; if you are not full of it (and I hope you're not) this will be the biggest thing ever in STL history. Seriously, nothing else would be this big.





Rich by lindenwood park.

81 Stories? Yikes! That's pretty serious stuff! I hope the announcement will also include news of progress on Chouteau Lake.



85% Financed? I have my doubts, but we'll see.



And if this isn't the tower on their website, then what's the story on THAT one?

Framer wrote:85% Financed? I have my doubts, but we'll see.



And if this isn't the tower on their website, then what's the story on THAT one?

All of this came from the mouth of Kevin McGowan. I asked, "is there any inside info you can give us on that 71 story tower on your website."



he laughed and said that the tower on their website is not theirs. but within 60 days he will be announcing an "81--NOT 71" story skyscraper.



he also said that by the end of the year mcgowan|walsh will announce plans to build several townhouses and single family residences in saint louis by the end of this year<--*he hopes.*



he also was very embarassed that the most recent office space building, the met building, was built 17-18 years ago. he did say besides the eagleton building, which he doesn't count, since that is government operated. so mcgowan|walsh is planning on building some other tall office buildings in addition to the 81 story 'scraper.

Alonzo P Hawk wrote:Hello there.

He said the tower that they are about to announce is going to be 81 stories--NOT 71. It will be announced within 60 days.

Omigod. This thing grows 10 stories every month. If McGowan waits another 60 days to announce this project, it may grow to 101 stories by then. Think of the shadow that will reach all the way out to Patti Tepper's house then. That poor woman won't even be able to grow weeds at her place.

Framer wrote:81 Stories? Yikes! That's pretty serious stuff! I hope the announcement will also include news of progress on Chouteau Lake.



85% Financed? I have my doubts, but we'll see.



And if this isn't the tower on their website, then what's the story on THAT one?

When he spoke at Copia a few months ago, he also mentioned the 85% financed figure. And he also said there would be an announcement "later this summer". So hopefully it will come soon. But nothing is for sure until they start digging.

why would McGowan spotlight (put it on their home page) a tower that isn't theirs?

:hyper:



(as close as I could get to a wetting my pants emoticon)

85 percent committed just about has to mean a corporate occupant for which the tower will be named.



I'd like to know about the rendering of a tower on their web site because I think it looks really fantastic.

Matt wrote:85 percent committed just about has to mean a corporate occupant for which the tower will be named.

I would say that is a correct analysis.