Good morning everyone

Looking forward to your feedback

“The Arkitectura Hotel Bibliothèque will be a key cultural and intellectual feature of the Arkitectura Hotel project in the Old Municipal Courts Building in downtown St. Louis. This specialized bookstore and library space will focus on architecture, design, engineering, urban design, and landscape design, serving both hotel guests and the broader public.

Hotel will have about 200 regular rooms and 50 extended stay lofts.

Vision & Concept
• A curated collection of books, journals, and archival materials related to architecture, city planning, and historic preservation.
• A hub for intellectual exchange, where academics, students, and professionals can gather, study, and collaborate.
• A blend of bookstore and library, offering both retail and reference sections.
• A publicly accessible space, reinforcing the hotel’s role as a center for architectural and urban discourse.

Design & Features
• Historic Atmosphere: Retaining the architectural integrity of the former court building, incorporating original woodwork, columns, and ornamentation.
• Reading Lounges: Comfortable reading nooks, long communal tables, and quiet study areas.
• Rare & Archival Collections: Potential partnerships with Washington University’s architecture school and the St. Louis Public Library to house special collections.
• Digital Access & Research Facilities: Workstations with access to architectural databases, blueprints, and historic maps.
• Events & Programming: Book launches, guest lectures, and workshops related to urban development and design.

Integration with Arkitectura Hotel
• The Bibliothèque will function as a cultural anchor for the Arkitectura Hotel, reinforcing its identity as a gathering place for design professionals, scholars, and creatives.
• It will be connected to the hotel’s coworking space and café, fostering a dynamic environment for study, networking, and discussion.”

ChatGPT powered )

We want renderings Mike, renderings!!!!

Secondly, if selected, how quickly can this plan be off the ground

Sounds interesting.. what about the south parking lot?

You might contact the National Building Arts Center about artifacts to display. Or even an extension site so they have a place that's more accessible than their location on the East Side.

https://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/

As an Urban Planner, I love it! I have sketches on my iPad of a concept for a literature market. Named after Maya Angelou and Mark Twain. I had it at Filippine Park but this location, or the corridor between City Hall and the Courts, would work!

It was a lot of things but the primary focus was recreating the book markets in Madrid.

My thoughts on the future of Municipal Courts:  https://nextstl.com/2023/06/imagining-a-map-museum-stl/

If this is as close as we can get to a museum here with the current RFP cycle, then mark me down as a supporter.    The size and scope of the cultural amenities vs just-being-a-hotel is the key I think, and being flexible in the build to maintain the historic character of the building and allow for expansion of the cultural/public space should the opportunity and funding arise.  Whats missing is perhaps dedicated exhibit space--something to keep the space freshly programmable to attract visitors as a part of greater gateway mall/civic mall project.  The lofty concept here does feel of-a-peice with the character of the building.  

Is this among the contenders for the current RFP?

How much of this did Chat GPT author?

@AlterraMike my feedback would be: yes yes and yes

The previous proposal at the site was simply a branded hotel. I think your proposal works much better for the building and location. Being a courts building, I imagine the woodwork, shelving, podiums, courtrooms, and various nooks would fit very well into your concepts. 

Because of its location on the Gateway Mall, I always believed it to be important for this building to have a civic component as you have proposed. The reading lounges, literature gathering spaces, archives, etc would greatly enhance the Gateway Mall and the surrounding civic spaces such as Stifel Theatre, the Central Library, Civic Courts, Soldier Memorial, and City Hall.

I like the @Addxb2 idea of the book market. Very neat idea. For an outdoor book market, the pedestrian path between Municipal Courts building and City Hall in front of the Laclede Statue (referred to as Washington Square Park) or the narrow strip of parking between the two buildings would provide the perfect setting for such a concept. I would recommend working with the city on improving landscaping along this corridor. Maybe you could work with the city to convert the narrow strip of parking in between the two buildings into a garden (potentially incorporating some of your themes, looking to gardens seen outside European museums for inspiration, our Botanical Gardens here could even be a great partner for such a project). Then you could work on incorporating the vendor stations or layout for such a market as @Addxb2 proposed. This would make for a very attractive and serene setting that would set up your concepts for success.

Indoors, I do not know how expansive of a retail bookstore you are imagining, but I think you could capitalize on that. There is not currently a full retail bookstore downtown. You could really expand that concept to be a full bookstore in my opinion. 

I do think a hotel with these unique amenities is a great idea. Because of the amenity spaces you would be bringing to the table, this is a much better hotel proposal than the previous one. 

For an additional concept that I think might also do well - a board game, table game (billiards, shuffleboard, etc) bar surrounded by bookshelves in a dark academia setting. Seeing your work with the retail spaces in Jefferson Arms, you obviously have the design skills in your firm to make such a state of the art space. Your tailor space in Jeff Arms blew me away. For a better explanation of my concept, look to the “Drawing Room” and “Game Room” in the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. Those genre of designs and activities for guests and consumers would fit perfectly into your ideas for the Municipal Courts Building.  Your initial concepts that blend hotel, literature, grandeur, woodwork, history, recreation that made me think of that those spaces at the CAA I mentioned.

I like your initial ideas so much that I am glad that the last RFP winners never materialized their hotel, and we have an opportunity to have something much more meaningful. I hope you win the RFP. 

Thank you for asking us for feedback!

AlterraMike doesn’t miss! Sounds amazing.

addxb2 wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

As an Urban Planner, I love it! I have sketches on my iPad of a concept for a literature market. Named after Maya Angelou and Mark Twain. I had it at Filippine Park but this location, or the corridor between City Hall and the Courts, would work!

It was a lot of things but the primary focus was recreating the book markets in Madrid.

My thoughts exactly

Same ideas from different cities

Mexico City
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/coo ... find-them/

Istanbul

https://www.awellreadwanderer.com/istan ... aar-guide/

verdantruins wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

My thoughts on the future of Municipal Courts:  https://nextstl.com/2023/06/imagining-a-map-museum-stl/

If this is as close as we can get to a museum here with the current RFP cycle, then mark me down as a supporter.    The size and scope of the cultural amenities vs just-being-a-hotel is the key I think, and being flexible in the build to maintain the historic character of the building and allow for expansion of the cultural/public space should the opportunity and funding arise.  Whats missing is perhaps dedicated exhibit space--something to keep the space freshly programmable to attract visitors as a part of greater gateway mall/civic mall project.  The lofty concept here does feel of-a-peice with the character of the building.  

Is this among the contenders for the current RFP?

How much of this did Chat GPT author?

Thank you for the sharing your thoughts.

1-). Yes Alterra Worldwide is the “other” 2 nd responder.

2-). It took me few hours going back and forth with ChatGPT from my original idea. ChatGPT composition is a solid A+.

AlterraMike wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

verdantruins wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

My thoughts on the future of Municipal Courts:  https://nextstl.com/2023/06/imagining-a-map-museum-stl/

If this is as close as we can get to a museum here with the current RFP cycle, then mark me down as a supporter.    The size and scope of the cultural amenities vs just-being-a-hotel is the key I think, and being flexible in the build to maintain the historic character of the building and allow for expansion of the cultural/public space should the opportunity and funding arise.  Whats missing is perhaps dedicated exhibit space--something to keep the space freshly programmable to attract visitors as a part of greater gateway mall/civic mall project.  The lofty concept here does feel of-a-peice with the character of the building.  

Is this among the contenders for the current RFP?

How much of this did Chat GPT author?

Thank you for the sharing your thoughts.

1-). Yes Alterra Worldwide is the “other” 2 nd responder.

2-). It took me few hours going back and forth with ChatGPT from my original idea. ChatGPT composition is a solid A+.

Glad to hear it.  Looking forward to seeing more on the project!

AlterraMike wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

We want renderings Mike, renderings!!!!

Secondly, if selected, how quickly can this plan be off the ground

I am getting the community input to see what further I can incorporate to the development plan. Next is Concept Mood Boards.

It will take 2 years to get all the necessary permits and financing in place. Then it will take 2.5 years to built. Call it 5 years.

Should you be selected, I think meeting with the blues and enterprise center leadership early would be a good idea.  I have some contacts there to arrange it.

They have a vested interest in seeing this facility redeveloped and wouldn’t be opposed to contributing items for a blues hockey hall of fame if it’s part of the project

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

AlterraMike wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

Feb 22, 2025

We want renderings Mike, renderings!!!!

Secondly, if selected, how quickly can this plan be off the ground

I am getting the community input to see what further I can incorporate to the development plan. Next is Concept Mood Boards.

It will take 2 years to get all the necessary permits and financing in place. Then it will take 2.5 years to built. Call it 5 years.

Should you be selected, I think meeting with the blues and enterprise center leadership early would be a good idea.  I have some contacts there to arrange it.

They have a vested interest in seeing this facility redeveloped and wouldn’t be opposed to contributing items for a blues hockey hall of fame if it’s part of the project

I think this would fit perfectly in the parcel to the south of the Muni Courts at 14th/Clark if the city is planning to include that in this sale. DBs grand plan for Clark Sports Street would get a big bump. Blues Hall of Fame, Hockey bar and grill, potentially apartments above. The City also owns the parking lot at 16th and Spruce. There’s so much potential to capitalize throughout this area and the city should definitely be looking to unload these properties for development.

Who would have the political capital to also engage the state of Missouri for the ramps parcels between Spruce/Clark? This could be a better time than ever for the state to consider the removal of those obtrusive ramps as we try to redevelop this district and sell to a private developer. We could really bring this district together then.

AlterraMike wrote:Good morning everyone

Looking forward to your feedback

“The Arkitectura Hotel Bibliothèque will be a key cultural and intellectual feature of the Arkitectura Hotel project in the Old Municipal Courts Building in downtown St. Louis. This specialized bookstore and library space will focus on architecture, design, engineering, urban design, and landscape design, serving both hotel guests and the broader public.

Hotel will have about 200 regular rooms and 50 extended stay lofts.

Vision & Concept
• A curated collection of books, journals, and archival materials related to architecture, city planning, and historic preservation.
• A hub for intellectual exchange, where academics, students, and professionals can gather, study, and collaborate.
• A blend of bookstore and library, offering both retail and reference sections.
• A publicly accessible space, reinforcing the hotel’s role as a center for architectural and urban discourse.

Design & Features
• Historic Atmosphere: Retaining the architectural integrity of the former court building, incorporating original woodwork, columns, and ornamentation.
• Reading Lounges: Comfortable reading nooks, long communal tables, and quiet study areas.
• Rare & Archival Collections: Potential partnerships with Washington University’s architecture school and the St. Louis Public Library to house special collections.
• Digital Access & Research Facilities: Workstations with access to architectural databases, blueprints, and historic maps.
• Events & Programming: Book launches, guest lectures, and workshops related to urban development and design.

Integration with Arkitectura Hotel
• The Bibliothèque will function as a cultural anchor for the Arkitectura Hotel, reinforcing its identity as a gathering place for design professionals, scholars, and creatives.
• It will be connected to the hotel’s coworking space and café, fostering a dynamic environment for study, networking, and discussion.”

ChatGPT powered )

Thanks Mike for investing in our great city. We are here to support you and offer any input.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here is my very modest  AI proposal 

There's a similar book market in Ho Chi Minh next to their main post office. We've lost so many good bookstores over the years, Amatin's and Library Limited foremost in my mind, that I'd be thrilled to see a good new one. And that courthouse is a fantastic spot Can't really think of a better one.

^Well done addxb2! Love it.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/bus ... 8ca55.html

Update.

The framing of blaming the city officials for being a road block in Shoreder’s development plan by going a different direction last year after Shroeder sitting on it since 2017 is a choice…

No confidence his proposal will get done. You cannot sit on something for 7 years without a single step in the right direction then all of a sudden act like you were going to get to it eventually. St. Louis needs action now. City is completely right here.

Easy decision for City here. The Alterra proposal is superior - more rooms (more taxes), more engaging with the public, a unique book market that exists very few places (thinking outside the box which we need more of), and most of all, more evidence that it will actually get done.

Missed this thread at its inception, I love the vision.

I'm curious Mike, would the bookstore be run by the hotel itself or an independent operator?

Finally, in regard to the book market, fantastic idea. Perhaps consider converting it into a Christkindlmarket during the holidays? (of course still with plenty of books)

I think the City will definitely push for a quicker timeline, 5 year is a non-starter for them