I am eagerly awaiting whatever this may be.
Reopening The Velvet LoungedbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Nov 08, 2024Big things coming to Wash Ave. hopefully announced mid December but 2025 is going to be huge for Wash Ave.
Rumor or trolling?
Peabody Building
Dilip Vishwanat | SLBJ
By Nathan Rubbelke – Reporter, St. Louis Business Journal
Nov 13, 2024
Architecture firm HOK said Wednesday it will relocate its office within downtown St. Louis and move to Peabody Plaza.
HOK’s lease for 42,000 square feet at Peabody Plaza, 701 Market St., begins in September 2025. The firm will relocate from 10 S. Broadway, where it occupies 39,000 square feet. HOK had said in May it would remain downtown and consider relocating to a different building within the neighborhood after its lease at 10 S. Broadway expires in August 2025. Terms for the new lease, including length, weren't disclosed.
“We have contributed to the fabric of downtown St. Louis since our founding in 1955 and look forward to continuing to do so from our new location,” Eli Hoisington, co-CEO and design principal for HOK’s St. Louis studio, said in a news release. “Our new home will be a dynamic and creative workplace for our staff and a welcoming hub for our clients and collaborators from around the region.”
HOK’s slightly larger footprint will “support the firm’s continued growth,” the firm's news release said. Its offices will be on Peabody Plaza’s fourth and fifth floors and include an outdoor terrace. HOK’s own staff is handling interior design of the new space.
“Our new location in Peabody Plaza will offer our staff enhanced amenities, including more food and beverage options, better building security, ample daylight and views," said Margaret McDonald, senior principal in HOK’s St. Louis studio. "The building is well situated in an activated area of downtown near Ballpark Village, Busch Stadium and the redeveloping Seventh Street corridor connecting America’s Center and Ballpark Village.”
Margaret McDonald, senior principal, HOK.
HOK
HOK, a design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, has about 170 St. Louis-based employees. It has 1,700 employees and 26 offices globally.
Peabody Plaza, totaling 400,000 square feet and more than 15 stories, is one of the largest office buildings in St. Louis. New York-based real estate investment management company Briar Meads Capital bought the building in 2020 for $35 million. Peabody Plaza is “well over 90% leased,” said Seth Berkowitz of Briar Meads. Other notable tenants in the building include coal company Peabody, law firm Sandberg Phoenix and architecture firm Arcturis. Marketing materials for Peabody Plaza list its available space as being offered for $17.50 per square foot. The average asking rate downtown is $18.61 per square foot, according to a third-quarter report from Cushman & Wakefield.
"Briar Meads Capital is thrilled to welcome HOK to Peabody Plaza at 701 Market Street in downtown St. Louis,” said Berkowitz in a statement. “Not only is HOK an incredible internationally renowned firm, but HOK is also an incredible citizen and supporter of downtown St. Louis. We thank the entire HOK team for selecting 701 Market as their new home, and look forward to them joining our wonderful on site staff and community of tenants at Peabody Plaza."
Commercial real estate firm CBRE represented Briar Meads in its lease transaction with HOK. Avison Young represented HOK.
HOK currently occupies the first and second floors at 10 S. Broadway, with the building’s tenants also including law firm UB Greensfelder and accounting firm KPMG. Santa Monica, California-based Hertz Investment Group, the owner of the 21-story office tower, in October 2023 agreed to a takeover of the property by investors, via a receiver, following an alleged loan default. Gregg Williams of Newport Beach, California-based Trident Pacific Real Estate was appointed to act as receiver.
HOK's decision to remain based downtown marked a win for the central business district, which has seen more office exits from the neighborhood than new entrants. More common than firms relocating to downtown are ones, like HOK, that announce they're staying.
The neighborhood has the highest office vacancy rate. PR and marketing giant FleishmanHillard said in October it will leave downtown St. Louis next spring for Clayton. HOK said it informed its staff about its decision to remain downtown at a May 23 staff meeting that included St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Kurt Weigle, chief downtown office for business group Greater St. Louis Inc. The firm said Jones and Weigle spoke about efforts to "add vibrancy to downtown."
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dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024My thoughts on Rams Settlement debate;
Agree - infrastructure downtown is the investment.
Expanding space is awesome news! We need some outside relocations moving into downtown but more sq ft occupied and a healthy regional business is still positive.TRUESONJB wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024
Peabody Building
Dilip Vishwanat | SLBJ
By Nathan Rubbelke – Reporter, St. Louis Business Journal
Nov 13, 2024
Architecture firm HOK said Wednesday it will relocate its office within downtown St. Louis and move to Peabody Plaza.
HOK’s lease for 42,000 square feet at Peabody Plaza, 701 Market St., begins in September 2025. The firm will relocate from 10 S. Broadway, where it occupies 39,000 square feet. HOK had said in May it would remain downtown and consider relocating to a different building within the neighborhood after its lease at 10 S. Broadway expires in August 2025. Terms for the new lease, including length, weren't disclosed.
“We have contributed to the fabric of downtown St. Louis since our founding in 1955 and look forward to continuing to do so from our new location,” Eli Hoisington, co-CEO and design principal for HOK’s St. Louis studio, said in a news release. “Our new home will be a dynamic and creative workplace for our staff and a welcoming hub for our clients and collaborators from around the region.”
HOK’s slightly larger footprint will “support the firm’s continued growth,” the firm's news release said. Its offices will be on Peabody Plaza’s fourth and fifth floors and include an outdoor terrace. HOK’s own staff is handling interior design of the new space.
“Our new location in Peabody Plaza will offer our staff enhanced amenities, including more food and beverage options, better building security, ample daylight and views," said Margaret McDonald, senior principal in HOK’s St. Louis studio. "The building is well situated in an activated area of downtown near Ballpark Village, Busch Stadium and the redeveloping Seventh Street corridor connecting America’s Center and Ballpark Village.”
Margaret McDonald, senior principal, HOK.
HOK
HOK, a design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, has about 170 St. Louis-based employees. It has 1,700 employees and 26 offices globally.
Peabody Plaza, totaling 400,000 square feet and more than 15 stories, is one of the largest office buildings in St. Louis. New York-based real estate investment management company Briar Meads Capital bought the building in 2020 for $35 million. Peabody Plaza is “well over 90% leased,” said Seth Berkowitz of Briar Meads. Other notable tenants in the building include coal company Peabody, law firm Sandberg Phoenix and architecture firm Arcturis. Marketing materials for Peabody Plaza list its available space as being offered for $17.50 per square foot. The average asking rate downtown is $18.61 per square foot, according to a third-quarter report from Cushman & Wakefield.
"Briar Meads Capital is thrilled to welcome HOK to Peabody Plaza at 701 Market Street in downtown St. Louis,” said Berkowitz in a statement. “Not only is HOK an incredible internationally renowned firm, but HOK is also an incredible citizen and supporter of downtown St. Louis. We thank the entire HOK team for selecting 701 Market as their new home, and look forward to them joining our wonderful on site staff and community of tenants at Peabody Plaza."
Commercial real estate firm CBRE represented Briar Meads in its lease transaction with HOK. Avison Young represented HOK.
HOK currently occupies the first and second floors at 10 S. Broadway, with the building’s tenants also including law firm UB Greensfelder and accounting firm KPMG. Santa Monica, California-based Hertz Investment Group, the owner of the 21-story office tower, in October 2023 agreed to a takeover of the property by investors, via a receiver, following an alleged loan default. Gregg Williams of Newport Beach, California-based Trident Pacific Real Estate was appointed to act as receiver.
HOK's decision to remain based downtown marked a win for the central business district, which has seen more office exits from the neighborhood than new entrants. More common than firms relocating to downtown are ones, like HOK, that announce they're staying.
The neighborhood has the highest office vacancy rate. PR and marketing giant FleishmanHillard said in October it will leave downtown St. Louis next spring for Clayton. HOK said it informed its staff about its decision to remain downtown at a May 23 staff meeting that included St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Kurt Weigle, chief downtown office for business group Greater St. Louis Inc. The firm said Jones and Weigle spoke about efforts to "add vibrancy to downtown."
Funny that my least favorite downtown office building is probably the most full. Funny how tastes work
- 1,614
I agree with DB, signature spaces like Washington from Tucker to 18th are badly neglected. Area around the convention center requires extra attention and should be constantly attended to.
Wash Ave was a brilliant streetscape when it was done back in the 2000s, representative of the old garment district. We need to revitalize and properly maintain such avenues with proactive maintenance. If it looks ill kept, harder for businesses to decide to locate there and people live there.
FWIW, I lived downtown at the Knickerbocker, Meridien, and Moon bros. lofts for about 7-8 years. Absolutely loved it and believe that the built environment downtown is a place people want to be.
Wash Ave was a brilliant streetscape when it was done back in the 2000s, representative of the old garment district. We need to revitalize and properly maintain such avenues with proactive maintenance. If it looks ill kept, harder for businesses to decide to locate there and people live there.
FWIW, I lived downtown at the Knickerbocker, Meridien, and Moon bros. lofts for about 7-8 years. Absolutely loved it and believe that the built environment downtown is a place people want to be.
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I think if you walk around Downtown, you see cracked and neglected roads, sidewalks and medians. There are weeds and graffiti all over. I agree with DB that Downtown infrastructure needs to be a focus. Easy fixes to change the dying City narrative, along with what is happening in the private sector.
I was with a group of 'surrounding' county folks last night at the Blues game. Each and every one of them had something negative to say about Downtown, from the exit of FH & the State Courts, to the homeless issue and of course the MANY crimes that happen Downtown every 3 minutes (
). BUT the ONE thing every one of them admitted is that they love St. Louis and want to see it thrive again. Changing the perception & building on that love people have for their hometown is a great place to start. Nothing new, but we need residents & the rest will follow. We need to find our Dan Gilberts and talk them into investing Downtown.
I was with a group of 'surrounding' county folks last night at the Blues game. Each and every one of them had something negative to say about Downtown, from the exit of FH & the State Courts, to the homeless issue and of course the MANY crimes that happen Downtown every 3 minutes (
). BUT the ONE thing every one of them admitted is that they love St. Louis and want to see it thrive again. Changing the perception & building on that love people have for their hometown is a great place to start. Nothing new, but we need residents & the rest will follow. We need to find our Dan Gilberts and talk them into investing Downtown. - 1,614
I miss Mike Shannon's "....FROm BEAUtiful DOWnTown Saint Louis..."
The man sold the city every game.
The man sold the city every game.
I was in NOLA about a month ago and their Downtown seemed almost pristine, all roads newly paved, landscaping was nice, etc. I told my wife, I bet they are having the Super Bowl this year, looked at our phones... low and behold, 2025 Super Bowl AND Taylor Swift at the Super Dome just a couple of weeks after our visit.
It made a big difference and nice impression.
It made a big difference and nice impression.
- 2,632
I would like to see part of this money for Downtown allocated towards giving Aloe Plaza the refresh it deserves. For such an iconic fountain, in front of the iconic Union Station and now in front of the iconic City Park, it looks very drab and run down. It should be the City Garden/Kiener Plaza of Downtown West. Even five mil would go a long way.
Perhaps this is asking too much, but my pipe dream is a little cafe space built into the eastern hillside with grassy space on top.
Perhaps this is asking too much, but my pipe dream is a little cafe space built into the eastern hillside with grassy space on top.
Not sure if this would be the announcement, but my hope would be that Oliver, Greater St. Louis Inc. or some other group would master lease the Washington Avenue street front retail space so that it could be leased, marketed, managed and maintained, in a consistent manner. I think that way it could be competitve/complementary to Ballpark Village which has those advantages.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Nov 08, 2024Big things coming to Wash Ave. hopefully announced mid December but 2025 is going to be huge for Wash Ave.
I've never seen a downtown in a metropolitan area the size of St. Louis that is so neglected. It truly is an embarrassment. I've been to smaller downtowns with better infrastructure and more activity. It's like regional leadership doesn't even care. The drive on I-70 from the airport to downtown is not representitive a thriving city or even a place anybody would want to move to.TalkinDev wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024I was in NOLA about a month ago and their Downtown seemed almost pristine, all roads newly paved, landscaping was nice, etc. I told my wife, I bet they are having the Super Bowl this year, looked at our phones... low and behold, 2025 Super Bowl AND Taylor Swift at the Super Dome just a couple of weeks after our visit.
It made a big difference and nice impression.
Having played a part of Wash Ave business development from late 80's through the 90's it is clear the issue on the street is the out of control cruising that happens predominantly on the weekends. Additionally, the condo owners rejection of nightclubs and lounges on the blocks between tucker and 17th squashed acceptable after-dark street activity which opened the door for the cruising and sidewalk surfing to take over. Sure you can fix all the improvements from the aughts. The center-lane lighting, indirect street lighting and tree uplighting were very nice when originally installed. It won't make a bit of difference if the Wild Wild West vibe continues.TheWayoftheArch_V2.0 wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024I agree with DB, signature spaces like Washington from Tucker to 18th are badly neglected. Area around the convention center requires extra attention and should be constantly attended to.
Wash Ave was a brilliant streetscape when it was done back in the 2000s, representative of the old garment district. We need to revitalize and properly maintain such avenues with proactive maintenance. If it looks ill kept, harder for businesses to decide to locate there and people live there.
FWIW, I lived downtown at the Knickerbocker, Meridien, and Moon bros. lofts for about 7-8 years. Absolutely loved it and believe that the built environment downtown is a place people want to be.
- 2,632
Speed bumps. By the hundreds. Make them removable on snow routes.
That or rip up the asphalt and bring back the cobbles. Nobody is going to be ripping donuts on cobbles
That or rip up the asphalt and bring back the cobbles. Nobody is going to be ripping donuts on cobbles
- 9,564
Out of control cruising is not an issue on Wash Ave, nor has it been since 2020
With all due respect Dennis, I was there on a Saturday night in September and the vibe was ratchet. Mostly sidewalk surfing with people who aren't patronizing anything on the street. I will agree the cruising wasn't wall-to-wall but still an element of concern.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024Out of control cruising is not an issue on Wash Ave, nor has it been since 2020
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The cruising has definitely gotten better, though I still see it downtown. Maybe not on Wash Ave as much. I’d argue we need more sidewalk surfing / people on the street downtown rather than less, unless I am misunderstanding that reference?STLinCHI wrote:With all due respect Dennis, I was there on a Saturday night in September and the vibe was ratchet. Mostly sidewalk surfing with people who aren't patronizing anything on the street. I will agree the cruising wasn't wall-to-wall but still an element of concern.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024Out of control cruising is not an issue on Wash Ave, nor has it been since 2020
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Maybe it's the demographic of people he doesn't like.Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024The cruising has definitely gotten better, though I still see it downtown. Maybe not on Wash Ave as much. I’d argue we need more sidewalk surfing / people on the street downtown rather than less, unless I am misunderstanding that reference?STLinCHI wrote:With all due respect Dennis, I was there on a Saturday night in September and the vibe was ratchet. Mostly sidewalk surfing with people who aren't patronizing anything on the street. I will agree the cruising wasn't wall-to-wall but still an element of concern.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024Out of control cruising is not an issue on Wash Ave, nor has it been since 2020
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I mean I understand we’ve had issues with unruly crowds at times on Wash Ave, but seeing people on the street is a good thing to me.goat314 wrote:Maybe it's the demographic of people he doesn't like.Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024The cruising has definitely gotten better, though I still see it downtown. Maybe not on Wash Ave as much. I’d argue we need more sidewalk surfing / people on the street downtown rather than less, unless I am misunderstanding that reference?STLinCHI wrote: With all due respect Dennis, I was there on a Saturday night in September and the vibe was ratchet. Mostly sidewalk surfing with people who aren't patronizing anything on the street. I will agree the cruising wasn't wall-to-wall but still an element of concern.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nope. It's class not demo. Tracksuit and yoga pants wearing teens and early 20's who just want to hang out while not spending a nickel in adjacent establishments. Same issues the loop and other locations like the Landing and Arch/LKS Blvd have dealt with. It's not a matter of "like" or "dislike". It's a matter of what is happening to the businesses. I personally know several operators of Wash Ave establishments who have closed or are really hurting and on the verge of closing. Same with condo owners who have bailed out because of this element. Heck, I used to own three businesses on the street in the 90's and while we had issues from NLEC folks, we didn't have sidewalks full of teens creating a ratchet vibe. You can deny it all you want but there's a sizeable number of youth today who live life defined by GTA and low brow hip hop culture. When these kids gather there's nothing positive about what goes down. You also have events like Paintlouis which gather a very diverse group centered around real hip hop culture and the vibe is completely different. The ratchet crowd IS the issue.goat314 wrote: ↑Nov 14, 2024Maybe it's the demographic of people he doesn't like.Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024The cruising has definitely gotten better, though I still see it downtown. Maybe not on Wash Ave as much. I’d argue we need more sidewalk surfing / people on the street downtown rather than less, unless I am misunderstanding that reference?STLinCHI wrote: With all due respect Dennis, I was there on a Saturday night in September and the vibe was ratchet. Mostly sidewalk surfing with people who aren't patronizing anything on the street. I will agree the cruising wasn't wall-to-wall but still an element of concern.
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The young people who are just walking around, hanging out with their friends are the same people that come down and spend real money when they're a couple years older. That's what is wrong with St. Louis, it does nothing to become attractive to younger people. That's why most leave when the first chance they get. Go to any successful city and you'll see tons of young people, just hanging out downtown, like kids used to do at suburban malls. That's a good thing. Now if we need better infrastructure and policing to handle the crowds, then I'm all for that but saying you don't want to see Gen Z out there because they're just chilling is not the right mindset to have a healthy city center.STLinCHI wrote: ↑Nov 14, 2024Nope. It's class not demo. Tracksuit and yoga pants wearing teens and early 20's who just want to hang out while not spending a nickel in adjacent establishments. Same issues the loop and other locations like the Landing and Arch/LKS Blvd have dealt with. It's not a matter of "like" or "dislike". It's a matter of what is happening to the businesses. I personally know several operators of Wash Ave establishments who have closed or are really hurting and on the verge of closing. Same with condo owners who have bailed out because of this element. Heck, I used to own three businesses on the street in the 90's and while we had issues from NLEC folks, we didn't have sidewalks full of teens creating a ratchet vibe. You can deny it all you want but there's a sizeable number of youth today who live life defined by GTA and low brow hip hop culture. When these kids gather there's nothing positive about what goes down. You also have events like Paintlouis which gather a very diverse group centered around real hip hop culture and the vibe is completely different. The ratchet crowd IS the issue.goat314 wrote: ↑Nov 14, 2024Maybe it's the demographic of people he doesn't like.Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑Nov 13, 2024The cruising has definitely gotten better, though I still see it downtown. Maybe not on Wash Ave as much. I’d argue we need more sidewalk surfing / people on the street downtown rather than less, unless I am misunderstanding that reference?
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