Talk of the Town

What’s new and on the horizon in neighborhoods across the region.

by

DOWNTOWN

What's New: The skyline is changing dramatically near the riverfront, where high rises are sprouting up around Ballpark Village and the neon St. Louis Wheel now spins next to Union Station. The historic train station itself is taking on a new life, with a state-of-the-art aquarium and new dining options. Plans call for the much-anticipated MLS stadium and surrounding retail nearby. Elsewhere along the Gateway Mall, Citygarden and Kiener Plaza have brought new energy to the heart of the city. Our city’s most iconic landmark, the Gateway Arch, recently saw a five-year, $380 million renovation, complete with a modern museum, a nearby amphitheater, and the Park Over the Highway tying downtown to its most famous attraction. And along Washington Avenue, the National Blues Museum has received universal acclaim. 

On the Horizon: At the same time that downtown is seeing remarkable momentum, the Design Downtown STL initiative is seeking input about next steps for the neighborhood. The community is sharing thoughtful insights on such topics as housing, streets, and programming, as well as how to better connect the area’s assets, reimagine underused spaces, and make downtown even more vibrant.

Hangouts: Three Sixty at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark offers stunning views of Busch Stadium and the Arch. Beside the recently updated Enterprise Center, the elegant Stifel Theatre plays host to world-class acts. And new hotels in historic rehabbed spaces, including Hotel Saint Louis and The Last Hotel, offer rooftop drinks and dining for visitors and locals alike.

MIDTOWN & GRAND CENTER

What’s New: The Kranzberg Arts Foundation has taken the longtime Grand Center Arts District to new heights—literally—adding spaces and support for artists. Some of the city’s most respected dance and theater groups now perform at The Grandel, The Kranzberg, and The Marcelle. At .ZACK, fresh options abound at Turn, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, and Sally’s Rooftop Garden. Circus Flora has found a permanent home at The Big Top. And the High Low is a new literary nexus, providing space for literary organizations and writers.

On the Horizon: The Lawrence Group has reimagined the former Century Electric site as a new destination: City Foundry. The 15-acre site will soon house a food hall, entertainment, retail, and offices. Nearby, the Armory District is slated to offer office space, dining, and more—all connected by the forthcoming Chouteau Greenway (to be renamed in 2020 through community input). And on the arts scene, Saint Louis Music Week and Music at the Intersection will host a slate of musicians in September.

Hangouts: Want to grab a drink before a show at the Fox, The Sheldon, or Powell Hall? The new Angad Arts Hotel boasts one of the best new rooftop bars in town, and The Dark Room hosts live music seven days a week, as well as photography exhibits. A block west, along Washington Boulevard, peruse modern art at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.

CENTRAL WEST END

What's New: Luxury-living options have opened across the CWE in recent years, sharing addresses with some of the region’s best restaurants—including 4101 Laclede (where you can find Juniper), Citizen Park (home to Yellowbelly), and The Euclid (boasting the city’s first Shake Shack). The Cortex Innovation Community, near Washington University’s medical campus, is home to one of the nation’s fastest-growing startup scenes and restaurant Vicia, whose chef and co-owner, Michael Gallina, was recently nominated for a James Beard Award.

On the Horizon: Just south of the legendary Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis, the staggeringly modern One Hundred building is taking shape. Designed by acclaimed architect Jeanne Gang, the tiered shape serves a purpose, with terraces stretching out for a quarter of the 300-plus apartments, which overlook Forest Park and the rest of the city. At the same time, the Cortex Innovation Community continues to grow. The former Crescent Parts and Equipment Co. building at 4340 Duncan has been redeveloped to house Biogenerator Labs  and later-stage startups, and a $115 million development is in the works at 4210 Duncan.

Hangouts: When he was looking for a neighborhood to open his first Shake Shack outpost here, St. Louis native Danny Meyer landed on the CWE. “When I left St. Louis and would return, the Central West End made me feel the most New York-y,” he told SLM in 2016. “It still has an urbane feel, and there’s tremendous density because of the hospital programs, the huge number of people who live there, and two universities nearby.” Across the street, 1764 Public House (named for the year St. Louis was founded) offers a taste of the Gateway City and New Orleans. Farther north, the new Up-Down arcade bar offers games, 60 beers on draft, and pizza by the slice.

NORTH CITY & COUNTY

What’s New: Last fall, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis opened a $12.4 million center in Ferguson. The teen-focused facility includes a theater, drama room, music studio, nutrition education center, garden, as well as programming on everything from test prep to internships, STEAM education to civic engagement. “I hope the teens find it as a place of refuge,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis president Flint Fowler told SLM when it opened in October, “that they feel safe here. That they know there are people throughout the region who are dedicated to their well-being, who are investing in not only them having good teen years but laying the foundation for a promising future.”

On the Horizon: In 2016, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced that it would build its $1.75 billion Next NGA West campus on a 99-acre site in the St. Louis Place neighborhood, just north of downtown St. Louis. Having broke ground in late November, the new facility is poised to help put St. Louis at the forefront of geospatial technology, along with a number of community partners, including Saint Louis University and T-REX. Farther west, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder Maxine Clark and Clayco’s CRG Real Estate Services plan to transform the former St. Luke’s Hospital in the West End neighborhood into the Delmar DivINe, providing a hub for nonprofits and community organizations, as well as housing and retail. And in Florissant, Siteman Cancer Center recently opened a $26.3 million facility at Christian Hospital’s Northwest HealthCare campus, with a healing garden and paintings by local artists.

Hangouts: After enjoying an old-fashioned shake and BLT at Crown Candy Kitchen in Old North, stroll through the historic 14th Street pedestrian mall, revived as Crown Square, where letterpress nonprofit Central Print has a studio. In Ferguson, you can grab a bite at Cathy’s Kitchen, enjoy a cigar at Montrey’s, or sip a glass of wine at Cork Wine Bar. Then there’s the popular Ferguson Farmers’ Market and EarthDance Farms, which hosts yoga in a former greenhouse—a picturesque setting to unwind and relax.

SOUTH SIDE

What’s New: In The Grove, new developments are popping up alongside popular bars and breweries. At the east end, CHROMA, a four-story apartment complex with street-level retail, opened near the new Rockwell Beer Co., made from shipping containers and housing restaurateur Gerard Craft’s Brasswell. And to the west, across from Urban Chestnut Brewing, there’s the 55-unit Gateway Lofts.

On the Horizon: After opening CHROMA, developer Green Street is planning another $80 million in residential projects throughout The Grove. This fall, the $550 million SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is slated to open at the corner of Grand and Chouteau. A bit farther south, the HOK-designed Grand Flats offers upscale apartments near Tower Grove Park. On The Hill, Sansone Group and Draper & Kramer are planning an 11-acre development—with apartments, townhomes, condos, and single-family homes—on the site where American Stove Co. once operated.

Hangouts: The Grove has a whole menu of new offerings, including barbecue from BEAST Butcher & Block, late-night comfort food from Grace Chicken + Fish, and Middle Eastern cuisine from Sultān Mediterranean Restaurant. Gathering spots abound throughout Soulard (Broadway Oyster Bar, John D. McGurk’s), The Hill (Milo’s Bocce Garden, the new Piazza Imo), Lafayette Square (Polite Society, POP), and along Cherokee Street (Fortune Teller Bar, Bluewood Brewing). That’s just the beginning, though—part of the fun is exploring the South Side’s distinct neighborhoods, each with their own gathering places.

CLAYTON, UNIVERSITY CITY & THE DELMAR LOOP

What’s New: Downtown Clayton’s seen a recent rise in luxury living options, including The Barton, Two Twelve Clayton, and Ceylon. And Centene continues to grow, with a $770 million campus expansion, including a 27-story office building, as well as plans for a civic center, residential, and more. Along the Delmar Loop, just east of University City, there are new living options at The Lofts of Washington University (where United Provisions is on the ground floor) and Everly on the Loop, with new concert venue Delmar Hall located next door.

On the Horizon: Washington University’s renovated Danforth Campus offers the recently reopened Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. New developments also continue to evolve nearby. Just east of Ceylon in Clayton, developer HBE Corporation is planning a $270 million mixed-use project, including luxury condos and a hotel. Along the Delmar Loop, at the western edge of the city, Pace Properties is adding The Link in the Loop, a mixed-use development at the northwest corner of Skinker and Delmar. And developer Joe Edwards plans to open Magic Mini Golf in a former church building nearby.

Hangouts: On charming Wydown Boulevard in Clayton, chef Bernie Lee recently opened Akar, a cozy 12-seat restaurant that serves “simply the foods I like to eat,” as Lee puts it. Nearby, restaurateur Zoë Robinson offers sleek, sophisticated dining options at Bar Les Freres, I Fratellini, and Billie-Jean. In DeMun, Louie offers an inviting atmosphere and modern American cuisine. (Hip-hop star Drake was such a fan, he dined there three consecutive nights while in town.)

INNER-RING SUBURBS 

What’s New: Webster Groves has recently seen a number of acclaimed restaurants open along Lockwood Avenue, including Balkan Treat Box, The Frisco Barroom, Half & Half, Olive + Oak, and The Clover and The Bee. And more is in store, with plans for a new brewery inside the former Auto Beauty Specialists space. And The Crossings at Richmond Heights provides new fast-casual options: Blaze Pizza, Red Robin, Firehouse Subs, and Vitality Bowls.

On the Horizon: On the former site of Shriners Hospital, Frontenac Commons will offer dining, a gym, and office space. Slated to open later this year, Kirkwood’s Performing Arts Center will host local theater groups. Just beyond I-270, in Fenton, US Capital Development has reimagined the 295-acre former Chrysler plant site as Fenton Logistics Park. And Mercy Hospital South’s $54 million David M. Sindelar Cancer Center will soon offer advanced treatments and a new breast care center.

Hangouts: From breweries (Schlafly Bottleworks, Side Project) to buzzy restaurants (Elmwood, The Benevolent King), downtown Maplewood is a dining destination. Creve Coeur’s also seen a surge of restaurants, including Nudo House and Cobalt Smoke & Sea. And in South County, family favorite Fitz’s recently expanded with a second location near Grant’s Farm.

OUTER-RING SUBURBS 

What’s New: Last September, the Blues’ new practice facility, Centene Community Ice Center, opened in Maryland Heights. Situated near a sprawling youth soccer destination, the 277,000-square-foot center also hosts athletes of all skill levels and includes a covered outdoor rink for the public. In Chesterfield, shoppers have no shortage of options at St. Louis Premium Outlets, where they can find such stores as Coach, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Vera Bradley, and more.

On the Horizon: Beside the bustling Topgolf in Chesterfield, The Staenberg Group has big plans for the Taubman Outlet Mall site. Plans call for a sprawling entertainment, food, and live music destination called The District. Residential options are also expanding in Chesterfield, with the forthcoming 223-acre Fienup Farms planned community.

Hangouts: Annie Gunn’s and Paul Manno’s are essential Chesterfield gathering spots. In Maryland Heights, Westport Plaza offers plenty of dining and entertainment options, including the popular Westport Social. Looking to burn off those calories? Green space stretches to the west, with an abundance of trails and parks near Wildwood and Ballwin.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

What's New: Just south of I-70, the Streets of St. Charles continues to roll out new options after recently adding a 60,000-square-foot, three-story mixed-use building. Among the latest additions: YogaSix and Narwhal’s Crafted, which add to the mix of retail (Leopard Boutique, Cherry Blow Dry Bar, MOD on Trend), restaurants (Prasino, Dewey’s, Mission Taco Joint), and entertainment (Play Street Museum, AMC Theatres). 

On the Horizon: Shortly after the River City Rascals announced they’d be hanging up their cleats for the last time in 2019, the Prospect League announced the Hannibal Hoots would be relocating to CarShield Stadium in O’Fallon, Missouri. While the team’s new name was yet to be determined, the franchise promises to continue offering affordable, family-friendly entertainment. And near the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, Climb So iLL rock-climbing gym plans to open a new location in the Steel Shop.

Hangouts: Situated on a quaint plot of land near Cottleville, Stone Soup Cottage is among the most sought-after restaurant reservations in town. Augusta and Defiance also offer respite, with picturesque wineries and a scenic stretch of the Katy Trail near the Missouri River.

METRO EAST

What's New: Former racecar driver/developer Curtis Francois has dramatically revived the recently renamed World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, with IndyCar and NASCAR returning to the track. And even larger plans are in store, including STEAM, technology, and diversity initiatives. World Wide’s also expanded its footprint in Edwardsville with a $115 million project spanning 2 million square feet of industrial space at Gateway Commerce Center. The intersection of I-64 and Greenmount Road has seen a flurry of activity in recent years, including the improved O’Fallon Family Sports Park (boasting soccer fields, baseball fields, a splash pad, and more), The Blade office tower (housing 1818 Chophouse), and HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, which recently opened a physical therapy center just 10 minutes east, adjacent to the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.

On the Horizon: O’Fallon and Shiloh continue to evolve near Scott Air Force Base. A $38 million Siteman Cancer Center location will open at Memorial Hospital East later this year. And in Edwardsville, near Southern Illinois University, the $50 million Trace on the Parkway mixed-use development is slated to include luxury apartments, restaurants, and retail.

Hangouts: On weekends, drive the scenic River Road to Grafton, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, where you can go hiking at nearby Pere Marquette State Park and then relax on the deck and watch the boats go by at The Loading Dock. In Belleville, Art on the Square, May 15–17, has been hailed as the No. 1 art fair in the nation by Art Fair Source Book.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated from a previous version.

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