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Old Post Office downtown core

Old Post Office downtown core

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PostJun 05, 2014#1

With the Arcade-Wright building renovation officially moving forward, the OPO area certainly seems to be reaching a critical mass that hopefully will spur more retail and other development in the vicinity of this dominant core.

In the immediate area, I'm counting at least 900 units surrounding the OPO building that will be online in 2016. Approx. #'s:

Syndicate Trust - 172
Paul Brown - 222
Roberts Lofts - 50
Tower OPOP - 128
Bell Lofts - ?? (anyone know?)
312 N. 8th - 6
Arcade -Wright - 282

If the plans move forward for the 120 units at the Chemical, the number should surpass 1,000. I also think there is a strong chance the Laclede Gas Building will be at least partially converted to residential and perhaps the Union Trust as well. That's pretty strong residential density in a couple block area, and of course there are the existing businesses and retail along with the solid Webster U Gateway Campus. Hopefully all this impressive activity really accelerates additional development. I'd love to see a drug store announce quickly.

edit: added the units in the building north of the Chemical adjacent to the old Hamilton Jewelers.

PostJun 06, 2014#2

Looking at this some more, it really is amazing how much work has either been completed recently or will soon commence in the area surrounding the OPO block from 7th to 9th and Pine to Washington. We'll have the Magnolia Hotel open this Summer and work should begin in the next few months on the Arcade-Wright, Marriot Courtyard and Grand Renaissance and hopefully on the Chemical. Even the vacant Hamilton Jewelers building is getting new tenant(s). I can't help but think that portends good news for the future of the Union Trust and Laclede Gas buildings, which would make for a really hot core district.

If you extend things one more block out, things are more mixed but still some good things are going on. Crossing Pine you have the ATT debacle; on 600 block Olive you have the Macy's malaise, but you also have the M/X and Blues Museum on 600 blocks of Locust and Washington. And on 1100 block of Locust you have the Alverne. Hopefully all of this will lead to a seamless district with 100% of buildings in use and vibrant street-level retail. Railway Exchange & AT&T will be difficult, but by 2016 I can see the rest being filled up. Including the Orpheum with good entertainment.
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PostJun 06, 2014#3

^ It's been a long time coming, but it's coming fast and furious now! I remember the last day at Dooley's about six (?) years ago -- the new owners of the Chemical Building, re-branded as "Alexa", expired all leases -- except for Mr. King's -- and emptied the building.

Having worked in the Laclede Gas Building off and on for five years, I can't quite see that as a conversion. It's definitely one of the "modern" office buildings, built for one purpose, whereas the old warehouses have proved to be very adaptable. Regardless though, this area is humming right along and maybe an increased residential population in the other buildings will bode well for business interest in the LGB.

A few more pieces still need to fall in place -- restoring 923 Locust (please. please, please!), de-cladding and renovating the Mercantile Library (would love some sort of Cultural/Heritage Center, foreign field offices, etc.), filling in the south storefronts of MX, and bringing the Orpheum back online.

At the back of my head though, I can't look past the fact that while downtown's residential strength is building, it's status as business center is dire. Very worrisome, indeed.
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PostJun 06, 2014#4

^ That's almost precisely my take. I mentioned on another thread how I envy Pittsburgh as its CBD is solid as a business center and is rounding out that strength with residential and mixed-use growth while we're hoping and praying that our moribund business activity can be overcome by residential and tourism-oriented growth.

I just hope that the strong investments in this core area lead to spillover and catch the notice of employers.

PostOct 03, 2014#5

Kevin B wrote:^ Having worked in the Laclede Gas Building off and on for five years, I can't quite see that as a conversion. It's definitely one of the "modern" office buildings, built for one purpose, whereas the old warehouses have proved to be very adaptable. Regardless though, this area is humming right along and maybe an increased residential population in the other buildings will bode well for business interest in the LGB.
Looks like you owe my a drink! So here is the updated list if what we should see by end of 2016 or so...

Paul Brown - 222
Roberts Lofts/Board of Ed - 50
Tower OPOP - 128
Bell Lofts - 24
312 N. 8th - 6
Arcade -Wright - 282
720 Olive -- 111

So that is 823 units immediately surrounding the OPO (and over 1,000 when adding in those just beyond like Syndicate Trust).... if Chemical gets started before long that would also add another 120. Webster U's activity of students and faculty/staff should also make up for, if not overcome, the loss of LG workers in terms of ped activity. Great stuff and I can't help but think it will lead to some retail additions in the immediate area.
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PostOct 03, 2014#6

roger wyoming II wrote: Bell Lofts - ?? (anyone know?)
24 units.
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PostOct 03, 2014#7

thanks! so that will be 823 units immediately surrounding the OPO after Arcade-Wright and 720 Olive (and another 120 proposed with the Chemical).
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PostOct 03, 2014#8

Paul Brown - 222
Roberts Lofts/Board of Ed - 50
Tower OPOP - 128
Bell Lofts - 24
312 N. 8th - 6
Arcade -Wright - 282
720 Olive -- 111

So that is 823 units immediately surrounding the OPO (and over 1,000 when adding in those just beyond like Syndicate Trust)....
Bell Lofts is the building Baileys Range is in, right? Technically Syndicate would be closer to OPO than it.
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PostOct 03, 2014#9

^ yes, thanks for the catch.
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