The Laurel at MX wrote:I expect many exciting Mercantile Exchange announcements over the next few months about the hotel, retail and entertainment, and skybridge demo, but unfortunately there is nothing I can disclose at this time. SORRY!
No apology necessary- I wasn't really trying to put you on the spot!
It's just very encouraging to know Mercantile Exchange is moving forward!
Expat wrote:I would love having a terrace like that. Will they have a spigot so I can hook up a water hose and start a container garden? Is the atrium open air, exposed to the elements, or is it covered?
The terraces will have water spigots. The existing skylights will be removed to make the atrium be open air.
The Laurel at MX wrote:I expect many exciting Mercantile Exchange announcements over the next few months about the hotel, retail and entertainment, and skybridge demo, but unfortunately there is nothing I can disclose at this time. SORRY!
Can we at least assume that all of those uses will in fact be included in the Laurel?
The Laurel at MX wrote:I expect many exciting Mercantile Exchange announcements over the next few months about the hotel, retail and entertainment, and skybridge demo, but unfortunately there is nothing I can disclose at this time. SORRY!
Can we at least assume that all of those uses will in fact be included in the Laurel?
I was refering to future "Mercantile Exchange" announcements, which would include information about The Laurel, The Concord, and other neighboring buildings in the district.
The Laurel will include first floor retail, a hotel (with restaurant), indoor parking, condominiums, and apartments.
I expect the skybridge to be torn down anywhere from April to August, depending on the CVC's needs. It would be tres cool to have a Dave & Buster's / Jillian's in the MX. Maybe even a movie theater.
I think these types of places are better suited for the MX as opposed to Ballpark Village because the site is closer to a higher percentage of residents yet also close to attractions that tourists enjoy. It'll be nice to see how the project progresses.
I'm interested to see who is first out of the gate not with announcements but tangible change; MX, Ballpark Village or a potential Lumiere Phase 2. I wish the others success, but ceteris parabus, I strongly believe a vibrant MX is what is best for downtown because it makes the core stronger. The spokes, Lumiere and the Ballpark area, should grow when they can be supported and not at the expense of the core.
I disagree that national chains are necessary to anchor downtown. We can have a great downtown without them. A Dave & Busters wouldn't be the end of the world, but it's hardly unique. The last thing I want is downtown St. Louis to feel like Indianapolis... bleh. How cool would it be to open a great big Blueberry Hill East-- something local, independent and with the potential to be a real destination for tourists and residents alike. If MX is holding out for a national chain, I'm hoping for a House of Blues (at least it books good shows). We're always waiting for chains to come and save us. We have what we need right here-- character. We just have to use it.
The thing with Dave and Buster's and House of Blues is that Downtown is already becoming overly saturated with entertainment venues. With the ballpark village coming soon "crossing fingers", Lumiere Place, and all of the sports bars and restaurants on Wash Ave. and Laclede's Landing, why would you want to put just another tenant in MX that only adds to the entertainment possibilities. People in St.Louis try so hard to bring people downtown via entertainment possibilities, when what is really needed is more a much solid draw to the city center. It takes job opportunities, good education in city schools, safety, and recreation and entertainment come last. St.Louis in my mind is working backwards. Don't get me wrong, The House of Blues would be awesome, and I would love to see St.Louis added to the list of HOB cities. And MX will do wonders with the eastern part of Wash Ave. I personally would like to see national retail chains that shoppers tend to expect, (Banana Republic, or Express, or Ann Tayor, or Pottery Barn etc.) mixed in with one of a kind local retail in the MX location to try and build a unique shopping location that will interest those outside of downtown to shop.
While I understand exactly what your saying...with all do respect, people don't love downtown New York and chicago because of their great schools. Downtowns, in my estimation at least, are built on shopping, office space and their included tennants, entertainment, and residents. All of these four things are going into both of these two developments. While everyone would love amazing public schools downtown, as well as other ameneties specifically for residents, I don't think we should be complaining about more shopping and entertainment.
Directorscut18 wrote:why would you want to put just another tenant in MX that only adds to the entertainment possibilities. St.Louis in my mind is working backwards.
Why would you? To make the downtown area a stronger destination of course. There are still gaps in entertainment options I would think that needn't cannabilize what is already here.
Tourists, conventioners, and 2.8 million folks in the metro area aren't exactly interested in city schooling. They want to experience what downtown and the city has to offer. If you're interested in schooling, check out developments with charter and magnet schools.
I am not saying MX shouldn't be looking for entertainment tenants. But you are taking what I said out of context. Entertainment can draw people into the downtown area from outside, but I was referring to what downtown needs in-terms of a permanent population to help maintain downtown St.Louis' turn around. Schools were just an example.
People don't want to live in a place with failing schools, and lack of job opportunities. Entertainment won't cause people to want to permanently move to the city center.
I am from St.Louis but I have lived in downtown Chicago for almost four years now. I consider myself a permanent resident of downtown because I live here year round to attend college. I wouldn't have moved here if it wasn't for my school. On top of that Chicago has over 50,000 students currently living downtown, that is 5X the population of downtown St.louis on college students alone. It accounts for 1/3 of the overall downtown Chicago population. So if you think that those 50,000 students don't play a huge part in the liveliness of downtown Chicago you should visit and see for yourself. Now what I think the city of STL should do about it, I don't know.
But this is off the topic of MX, which I agree will still be a great addition to downtown.
The last thing I want is downtown St. Louis to feel like Indianapolis... bleh.
You're right, it would be terrible for downtown St. Louis to have a nice mall, a bunch of restaurants of varying price levels, hotels, an arena, a ballpark, a football stadium, homes, etc. all within a few blocks of each other. Terrible.
Maybe St. Louis can raze a few more buildings and shove some more surface parking lots in for the fatasses who refuse to get out of their cars for a few minutes. Of course, at the rate St. Louis moves in building new infrastructure, even that wouldn't happen until until the middle of the next decade. And people in Missour-ah call Indiana residents rednecks. Feh...
^ You missed the point. Downtown Indy is vibrant but soulless (in my opinion). Putting a bunch of chain restaurants in middle of downtown may bring people, but it won't make it interesting.
STLgasm wrote:^ You missed the point. Downtown Indy is vibrant but soulless (in my opinion). Putting a bunch of chain restaurants in middle of downtown may bring people, but it won't make it interesting.
Soulless? Come now, one of my dear friends lives there and I find the area enjoyable. Have you had shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo's, floated on the canal, or attended the Madame Walker Theater? There is plenty of soul in downtown Indianapolis. Let's not go bashing other cities now...
Downtown St. Louis seriously lacks national shopping chains as all we have are independents. Finally we're getting some balance.
Regarding Dave and Buster's, the point is to have an entertainment/gaming complex downtown. Whether you're a socialist and dislike chains or not, such a spot makes downtown a more viable entertainment option. Don't forget a movie theater either as it's clear we have gaps that need to be filled. If you're a fuddy duddy, then disregard and go back to sleep.
STLgasm wrote:^ You missed the point. Downtown Indy is vibrant but soulless (in my opinion). Putting a bunch of chain restaurants in middle of downtown may bring people, but it won't make it interesting.
Soulless? Come now, one of my dear friends lives there and I find the area enjoyable. Have you had shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo's, floated on the canal, or attended the Madame Walker Theater? There is plenty of soul in downtown Indianapolis. Let's not go bashing other cities now...
How could you fail to mention Bazbeaux's Pizza?
Having lived for a time in downtown Indy, I would call it far from "soulless". But to each his own.
Directorscut18 wrote:On top of that Chicago has over 50,000 students currently living downtown, that is 5X the population of downtown St.louis on college students alone.
I had to go up into the building yesterday to get some view pics for a potential buyer and did some extra exploring:
The Four Seasons' deck/swimming pool is amazing!
This wood paneling is in the SE corner of the 6th floor. There is evidence of a kitchen near this area, so I wonder if this was the location of the Walnut Room restaurant?
These fabric covered window cornices are in the same area as the wood paneling.
This is some crazy wallpaper!
This is the 1980’s department store version of “architectural detail”
Thanks for posting several new pictures of the 'ghosts' of Stix Baer & Fuller and Dillard's! I have vague memories of shopping there as a child when it was still SB&F (and it actually still had some character then).
I recall returning to Dillard's after the store had been closed for renovations for months, and my grandmother said something along the lines of "they closed this place for months to make it look like this?". Needless to say, she wasn't a big fan of the modernization completed around the same time at Famous-Barr either (at least Famous didn't go as far as Dillard's, and Macy's has since renovated most of the store).
Anyway, the more I see of The Laurel, the more I wish I was in the market for downtown living. FWIW, it's always one of the first places I mention when the topic of downtown living arises.
Quick comment about the MX in general- I think innov8ion made a good point about the need for a greater balance in downtown between chains and locally owned businesses. We're getting to the point where that will soon be a reality if it isn't already, and the Schnucks announcement shows that we're moving in the right direction. Count me in among those that would actually like to see Jillian's or Dave & Buster's downtown, specifically as part of Mercantile Exchange. Downtown cannot be everything to everyone, but this would be a powerful draw for families with children, which would benefit other nearby businesses (see also Circle Centre in Indianapolis or Peabody Place in Memphis, both of which are home to Jillian's locations).
Nothing against Ballpark Village or subsequent phases of Lumiere Place, but I believe Mercantile Exchange has the most potential to transform downtown into an increasingly active place and a destination in its own right, and it's the one major downtown development that interests me the most.
Wow those pictures are great. Those would be some great views to have. I only had the chance to be inside when it was Dillards and I didn't care much for it. I can't wait for the whole area there transform. Thanks for posting those great pictures.
