Does anyone know if work has started on building out the new units? I walked by today and saw a very small HBD Construction sign on one of the balconies and that was the only indication of anything happening.
The encouraging article the downtown2007 posted on the Downtown Residential Market Growth thread includes the following excerpt:
"residential space under construction now – such as the OPO Tower, the former Roberts Tower – will including more diverse offerings."
This is the first I've heard that they may be changing the name. I like OPO Tower, and wouldn't mind seeing them change the signage on the roof.
"residential space under construction now – such as the OPO Tower, the former Roberts Tower – will including more diverse offerings."
This is the first I've heard that they may be changing the name. I like OPO Tower, and wouldn't mind seeing them change the signage on the roof.
- 1,320
Permits have now been issued for buildout of 132 residential units on floors 2 - 25, plus lobby and restaurant alterations, for $11,246,159. That is on top of another permit to install a sprinkler system throughout.
Saw some construction workers on one of the balconies looking out this afternoon. There were a number of doors open on a number of the floors to the balconies so looks like some work is starting.
- 8,155
^ New owners just announced that build out should be completed next Spring. They are not sure whether they will pre-lease the 132 units or wait til completion.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog ... 2013-10-02
Whichever way the decide, I hope the units go fast as it would spur confidence in additional residential towers downtown.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog ... 2013-10-02
Whichever way the decide, I hope the units go fast as it would spur confidence in additional residential towers downtown.
^Trust me, they will.
Look at how fast Park-Pacific and The Laurel apartments leased.
People are chomping at the bits for the Roberts Tower project to be completed. It's a new building and its proximity to everything downtown is priceless.
On a side note: I heard from the people at The Mayfair they soon will no longer take reservations because the hotel is about to close for renovations. The hotel will open late Spring/Early Summer with a grand-opening - so I was told.
Look at how fast Park-Pacific and The Laurel apartments leased.
People are chomping at the bits for the Roberts Tower project to be completed. It's a new building and its proximity to everything downtown is priceless.
On a side note: I heard from the people at The Mayfair they soon will no longer take reservations because the hotel is about to close for renovations. The hotel will open late Spring/Early Summer with a grand-opening - so I was told.
- 8,155
^ I agree that the units should have strong demand. I think there are folks who prefer new construction to converted loft living and the tower will have some amazing views.
Good to hear about the Mayfair.
Good to hear about the Mayfair.
- 215
That's great news, but I'm concerned about the last paragraph. It says Slay approved demolition for the two buildings on Locust but Urban Street hasn't decided what it wants to do with that space. RED FLAG.
- 1,320
The background on the corner building at 923 Locust is interesting. The Noonan-Kocian Art Co. was a major force in the global art trade. Monet, Cezanne, Seurot, Rembrandt... all hung on the walls inside that odd little building. Story here:
http://nextstl.com/preservation/when-th ... nth-locust
![]()
Monet's 1906 Water Lilies -- now at the Chicago Art Institue -- came from here.
http://nextstl.com/preservation/when-th ... nth-locust
Monet's 1906 Water Lilies -- now at the Chicago Art Institue -- came from here.
- 1,054
Are you kidding me?! Water Lilies moved? Someone go steal it.Presbyterian wrote:The background on the corner building at 923 Locust is interesting. The Noonan-Kocian Art Co. was a major force in the global art trade. Monet, Cezanne, Seurot, Rembrandt... all hung on the walls inside that odd little building. Story here:
http://nextstl.com/preservation/when-th ... nth-locust
Monet's 1906 Water Lilies -- now at the Chicago Art Institue -- came from here.
Don't worry; the St. Louis Art Museum still has their Water Lilies. Monet actually painted dozens of water lily scenes, and they are scattered in museums all over the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Lilies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Lilies
- 8,910
New name: The Tower
http://apartments.naproperties.com/miss ... er-at-opop
They're all 1 bedrooms exept for the two 2BR penthouses.
Hard hat tours February 15 with Move in May 1.
http://apartments.naproperties.com/miss ... er-at-opop
They're all 1 bedrooms exept for the two 2BR penthouses.
Hard hat tours February 15 with Move in May 1.
Huge improvement. Ironically, the new name is less generic than the old one!moorlander wrote:New name: The Tower
- 8,155
I hope Tower at OPOP leases like hotcakes to build confidence in financing and development community for new residential. Build another one (slightly smaller) in the infill @ Olive & 6th across from Railway Exchange.
- 8,910
Why do you think they went all 1 bedroom? That seems prohibitive to me.
Are these rentals or what? If so, maybe they wanted to pack as many units in as possible while keeping cost moderate.moorlander wrote:Why do you think they went all 1 bedroom? That seems prohibitive to me.
^ I think it is two fold
1) The one bedrooms must work for the economics of buying the tower and then finishing out the work/conversion.
2) some one must have convinced some else that they could rent out a tower full of one bedroom apartments. It seems odd though. The more units, the more diversity in offerings you would want to cover or at least hedge your financing bets would be my conclusion
You have to wonder is the new norm for apartments predominately one bedroom? with luxury being two or three bedroom. Is it because of demographics of increasing number one to two person, no kids households? or strictly economics?
1) The one bedrooms must work for the economics of buying the tower and then finishing out the work/conversion.
2) some one must have convinced some else that they could rent out a tower full of one bedroom apartments. It seems odd though. The more units, the more diversity in offerings you would want to cover or at least hedge your financing bets would be my conclusion
You have to wonder is the new norm for apartments predominately one bedroom? with luxury being two or three bedroom. Is it because of demographics of increasing number one to two person, no kids households? or strictly economics?
So if we are to assume that the tower fills up, all one bedrooms will mean a higher density of people, right?
Could be a good thing. Could.
Could be a good thing. Could.
- 1,320
Building smaller apartment units is a trend nationwide, particularly in urban areas. It means less expensive units for the renter and higher value per s.f. for the builder. (Also, the article notes that granite countertops are out now that everyone's mom has them. Enter recycled glass countertops.)
http://www.multihousingnews.com/feature ... 95707.html
http://www.multihousingnews.com/feature ... 95707.html
I just received a marketing email from "The Tower at OPOP" stating that the "The first floor commercial space overlooking the Old Post Office Plaza will soon be home to one of downtown's newest and most exciting eateries." Does anyone have more information on what is in the works for this space?
- 3,235
What else would you want in that space? And would it be more important to fill up the retail spaces before picking and choosing?
- 388
It's going to be a sweetie pies 
no not really... Do you think another eatery will actually work there? That Don Shula's didn't last long but didnt that have to do with the Roberts being in financial trouble?
no not really... Do you think another eatery will actually work there? That Don Shula's didn't last long but didnt that have to do with the Roberts being in financial trouble?- 8,155
I don't see the location as an impediment.... there will be an upgraded Magnolia Hotel next door soon that will help and some residents by the end of the year. I don't know if Roberts Bros franchised the Shula's but I do believe its troubles were directly related to the restaurant's short-lived history.