10-intuition wrote:Anyone know what happened with the Meridian at Brentwood project, the 14 story building that was suppose to be built right next to the Best Buy and Sports Authority? Its been two years and they still have not torn down that Purina building.

Here is an article that was in the Post-Dispatch today. The article reports that the developer is still studying what to build in its place once they tear down the former Purina Mills HQ. Citing a weak office market, the 12-story office building doesn't look to be set in stone anymore. In fact, the article said they were considering building a hotel or using some of the site as parking for the MetroLink station. What ever they decide, expect construction to begin at the site next year with a 2008 finish date.



--



<A HREF="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... ">Headache ball swings to another of area's former headquarters buildings</A>

By Eric Heisler

Of the Post-Dispatch

06/24/2005



A developer is about to tear down the former Purina Mills headquarters in Brentwood and is busy studying what to build in its place.



The project will be the second phase of the Meridian at Brentwood, a mixed-use development at Highway 40 (Interstate 64) near South Hanley Road. The Meridian already includes a Best Buy, Sports Authority and some office space.



<A HREF="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... 29007C1D94">>>> read more</A>

Whatever happened to the garage they were supposed to build as part of MetroLink? One of the big P-D articles around the time of the budget overrun announcement mentioned that "local residents fear the garage won't be built" or something like that, but never followed up on it. Weren't they supposed to build it just south of the Best Buy on that large, vacant lot?

The garage was planned for the site just southeast of the new Eager station, south of BestBuy. But unless something dramatic happens in the near future, the line will open in late 2006 without any garage.



Dierberg's had fought access to the station but ultimately conceded. MODOT is now working to have the rebuilding of Highway 40 (New I-64) be built all at once sooner through its attempted design-build effort. Without garage and the highway under construction, this station will be a mess, and a free-for-all when it comes to where to park'n'ride. The surrounding owners of the private lots about Eager will likely have to find a temporary solution fast or face endless battles with new riders.

Red Robin is going to open next to The Sports Authority.

Is the Red Robin going to open on that vacant piece of land behind Best Buy and Sports Authority next to Home Depot?

A demolition crew has begun work at the old Nestle Purina Bldg that sits off Hanley Rd.

Just drove by on my Lunch and they are really tearing into it.

This building is no longer. Demolition is now complete and they are working on cleaning up the site, which is just about finished.

I drove by the site the other day and they have paved additional parking where the HQ used to be. Does anyone have any information on the residential tower, or has that idea been scrapped. I remember the sign they had up for a while a few years ago and the building looked interesting. Simply a matter of curiousity...I'd rather live downtown anyway.

More paved parking! Sounds like the 'burbs!

Brentwood Board OKs Meridian's second phase

Ryan Heinz

Of the Suburban Journals

Citizen Journal

04/12/2006



As construction on the remaining phase one portion of the Meridian continues, the Brentwood Board of Aldermen has given its approval to the second phase of the project.



Phase two features a seven-story mixed-use building including retail and/or restaurants taking up the 25,000 square feet of the first floor. The remainder of the building, some 150,000 square feet, will be devoted to offices. Also, a six-story ancillary parking garage ? with provisions to build an additional two floors if needed later ? will be constructed adjacent to the south of the mixed-use building.



City officials anticipate construction to begin on the second phase in May 2007 and that it likely will be completed by late 2008. The location of the new mixed-use building and garage is on the site of a demolished office building and retailer RSI Kitchen and Bath, the latter of which relocated to Rock Hill.



The first phase of the Meridian project, located just south of Eager Road and west of Hanley Road, includes a Best Buy, Sports Authority and 75,000 square feet of office space.



An additional three-story building features a bank and offices. It also soon will house a Men's Warehouse in a space that was going to be occupied by the Red Robin restaurant.



As part of phase one, a garage is being constructed to the west of phase two for the MetroLink cross-county extension.



"They had planned on a hotel going in there too," City Administrator Chris Seemayer said. "But that hasn't worked out."



In fact, developers at one time wanted to put a hotel in Brentwood Square, a plan that also failed to materialize, Seemayer said.

That garage for "phase two" of Cross County is actually the desperately needed garage to make the future Brentwood I-64 MetroLink station a park'n'ride station. Unfortunately, Cross County will open late this summer with only one park'n'ride station -- Shrewsbury I-44 -- instead of two. Thus, those 800 spaces in Shrewsbury will be a very highly cherished commodity, until a Brentwood garage at Meridian is built. Of course, MetroLink riders can flaunt the rules, risk being towed, and use the excessive parking lots of surrounding retail strip centers.

^YAAAAAWWWN...

Brown brick: Check

Blue glass: Check

Boxy design: Check



Yep, it will fit right in!

The inspiration for that signature Meridian cornice???







Or, perhaps this one?

It says Chesterfield 1985.

Maybe you missed the "Composite Metal Panel Accent." This is definitely 1992.

I agree with all of the above... Did you see that they will be building a second garage next to the monstrosity that's already there.

Well, at least it's slightly more attractive than the shitboxes in Earth City.

Boring! Where is this thing going? Are you sure it isn't an old plan for something to be built at, say, 40 and Woods Mill Rd?



Speaking of the "Composite Metal Accent" or whatever -- my guess is this is supposed to make the roof / mechanical area of the building more attractive than standard screening -- but HOW? It doesn't even fit with the architectural style of the rest of the building!



Grr. I hate stupid architectural details that are both unattractive AND unnecessary. Probably some stupid person on the city council said, "this building is too plain. We won't approve it unless you add a decorative cornice!" When what they should have demanded was a complete redesign.