Podcasts / The 314 Podcast / Michael Staenberg on his $2B plan to reimagine Chesterfield

Michael Staenberg on his $2B plan to reimagine Chesterfield

The founder and president of The Staenberg Group shares how decades of work led to his $2 billion plan to transform the former site of Chesterfield Mall and why he believes it could reshape the region.

by SLM Staff August 7, 2025 at 5:30 AM August 7, 2025

The 314 Podcast with Sarah Fenske ft. Michael Staenberg — Sarah Fenske, Michael Staenberg

In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Michael Staenberg about his ambitious development now under construction in Chesterfield. Downtown Chesterfield will bring city-style living to the acreage that previously held Chesterfield Mall. The founder and President of The Staenberg Group explains his vision for the project, what drives his generosity, and what keeps him committed to St. Louis when he could live anywhere. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about what he learned about a once-cancelled St. Louis company making its comeback—or at least getting back in with the St. Louis County Police. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

Rendering of Downtown Chesterfield, aerial view of development — Rendering of Downtown Chesterfield

Rendering of Downtown Chesterfield, aerial view of park — Rendering of Downtown Chesterfield

Rendering of Downtown Chesterfield, shopping area — Rendering of Downtown Chesterfield

I have a saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day or destroyed in a day,” and really, it’s going to take some time to get there, but I hope my project in Chesterfield will redefine the region, elevate the region. It’s a regional play. This isn’t trying to steal people from downtown or taking people from Clayton. Let’s bring more people here and allow the big corporations to see we have something. Because if they see something like this, they’re going to say, “Well, maybe we wanna move our headquarters here.” That’s really what I’m interested in, is how to get better employment.

This episode is sponsored by Saint Louis Art Museum and supported by MATI. Make a real impact in your community and boost your business by becoming a corporate partner of the Saint Louis Art Museum. Your investment contributes to strengthening St. Louis. Learn more at slam.org.

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About The Hosts

Sarah Fenske

Sarah Fenske is St. Louis Magazine‘s executive editor. She manages news and business coverage and edits The Daily newsletter. She’s been a reporter, columnist, newspaper editor, and radio host, and she is currently host of the monthly Legal Roundtable on St. Louis Public Radio and a panelist on Nine PBS’ Donnybrook. She lives in the city, where she attempts to juggle herding her kids to sports practice and swapping political gossip over a good martini.

Ryan Krull

Ryan Krull is a staff writer at St. Louis Magazine, writing for the The Daily newsletter. A graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, he taught there for many years before joining the staff of the Riverfront Times, where he was a reporter for the last years of the paper’s life. He lives near Tower Grove Park in the city with his wife and son.