urbanSTL

From reading the linked bills above, the TIF for RPA 1 (The Armory only) has been approved and is active, based on the ordinances approved in 2017 referenced above by Laife.  TIFs are actually active upon the Mayor signing the TIF ordinances, so they have been active since 2017.  The new bills (linked above by quincunx) refer to how the TIF project will be financed.  So it isn't a new TIF or TIF RPA.

So what is the name of this Armory development going to be? 

Once upon a time, it was going to be called Rec Hall STL. A location for that has been opened at 800 S Duchesne Dr. in St. Charles. 

That had always seemed to be the plan -- to open a Midtown St. Louis and St. Charles location; but I haven't seen the Rec Hall STL name attached to this project in a while and now I don't know. 

It's just "The Armory". Which I appreciate. No need to come up with a silly name like "Armory Heights" or "Armory Grove". Most people know it as the Armory anyways, so just keep it as is.

I agree; keeping the name as the Armory is a good choice.

Are the people that were behind this originally becoming Rec Hall STL still behind the project? If I remember correctly, they're based out of Kansas City. 

^, ^^ & ***  Yes, Yes and Yes.  Even a relative short timer like myself learned it was the Armory and will always know it as an Armory whether I visit one time or a thousand times.   Heck, I wouldn't doubt that a good part of the St Louis region doesn't know that Interstate I64 runs next too it.  They are still thinking it is Hwy 40 (I was a short timer so claiming some ignorance if I go the Hwy number wrong)

I'm assuming Greenstreet understands better than anyone and why, why would the go down that road.  

^It's 40 all the way from Riverport to Kiel.

RockChalkSTL wrote: ↑

Sep 23, 2022

So what is the name of this Armory development going to be? 

Once upon a time, it was going to be called Rec Hall STL. A location for that has been opened at 800 S Duchesne Dr. in St. Charles. 

That had always seemed to be the plan -- to open a Midtown St. Louis and St. Charles location; but I haven't seen the Rec Hall STL name attached to this project in a while and now I don't know. 

My understanding is the development itself was always going to be known as "The Armory." Rec Hall was just going to be one of tenants. Haven't seen them officially linked in a while, though it looks like they're keeping a lot of the same elements.

They are just about finished with this project. Lights are on, fixtures are in, it's down to last minute polishing up now.

They are having a soft opening on December 15th.

Here's a link to an update post on Instagram:

I’m sorry but this is the stupidest thing I’ve seen in a while but I guess I don’t have to drive to Westport now

The Ballpark Village atrium is looking great!

Hate all you want but this thing is going to print money just like Westport Social does. These mega bar mall concepts are very trendy lately for a reason. I just hope that the different concepts have real soul and creativity to them unlike BPV.

Also worst case scenario the barmall collapses in a few years but the Armory will still be refreshed which would make it easier for something else to slide in. Plus it won't look like a hulking blight to everybody who drives past. That's a win in my book.

Oh, it's a win no matter what happens to the business eventually. The building looks good and has been stabilized for another 50 years. But, how many large bar malls can we really support? Probably the same as how many malls we can support, which have gone out of style and can't be demoed fast enough.

Tim wrote: ↑

Nov 16, 2022

Oh, it's a win no matter what happens to the business eventually. The building looks good and has been stabilized for another 50 years. But, how many large bar malls can we really support? Probably the same as how many malls we can support, which have gone out of style and can't be demoed fast enough.

I think overexpansion is concern, I do think it's mitigated a little by the new developments in the city being partnered with large residential components. I think having the mixed-use aspect will give these a more sustainable lifespan than malls of the past which were islands unto themselves, but only time will tell.

Personally I love the new sign, but is it too hard to see?   

(pic from Prospect Yards)

It will probably be lit or back lit at night, otherwise it would be impossible to see at night.

Also hard to see if the 2 apartment buildings go up in front of it

dbInSouthCity wrote:Also hard to see if the 2 apartment buildings go up in front of it

Agree. Although that may be a few years out yet. They are finishing installing a brand new asphalt parking lot currently. Now they could certainly tear it up right away as asphalt isn’t terribly expensive but I’d say at least 2 years before we see apartments.

It looks nice when lit up white at night (saw it a few days ago), but yeah I think a white sign period would have been better for visibility.  I doubt they make any changes at this point, though.  I wonder if they're having any of the same thoughts?

There had been some groundwork where I thought the apartments were going to go. 

Did that all really just becoming an asphalt parking lot?

RockChalkSTL wrote:There had been some groundwork where I thought the apartments were going to go. 

Did that all really just becoming an asphalt parking lot?

Yes. Saw it this morning while on metro.