Citywalk on Euclid Inches Forward, Ups Retail Space to 30,000 Square Feet, Seeks Grocery

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

The 1.65 acres of vacant land at Euclid and West Pine in the city's Central West End neighborhood continues to inch toward development. The latest news is rather mundane, but sheds light on some important changes. The city's planning agency has recommended approval of a zoning change to "H" Area Commercial District, from a mixed "H" and "E" Multi-Family District. Why? Developer Bruce Mills is now proposing additional commercial space, totaling more than 30,000 sq ft., up from just 9,000 sq ft in 2009. 

The well-worn rumor is that the developer was seeking a Whole Foods Market for the space. The grocery retailer has been focused on introducing smaller stores of 35,000-50,000 sq ft in more urban locations. The nearest existing store at Brentwood Square is approximately 35,000 square feet. The hold up on any announcement may be that the City Walk retail space spans two stories, a rare model for Whole Foods. That may leave an opening for a Trader Joe's, as the specialty grocery chain's stores average 8,000-12,000 sq ft. The retail space is described in planning documents as "12,000 sq ft of grocery space on level one & 18,000 sq ft of related grocery space on the lower level".

City Walk - Euclid at West Pine, St. Louis
{rendering of "Citywalk on Euclid" from 2009 proposal appears to reflect current design}

Citywalk on Euclid Inches Forward, Ups Retail Space to 30,000 Square Feet, Seeks Grocery

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

The 1.65 acres of vacant land at Euclid and West Pine in the city's Central West End neighborhood continues to inch toward development. The latest news is rather mundane, but sheds light on some important changes. The city's planning agency has recommended approval of a zoning change to "H" Area Commercial District, from a mixed "H" and "E" Multi-Family District. Why? Developer Bruce Mills is now proposing additional commercial space, totaling more than 30,000 sq ft., up from just 9,000 sq ft in 2009. 

The well-worn rumor is that the developer was seeking a Whole Foods Market for the space. The grocery retailer has been focused on introducing smaller stores of 35,000-50,000 sq ft in more urban locations. The nearest existing store at Brentwood Square is approximately 35,000 square feet. The hold up on any announcement may be that the City Walk retail space spans two stories, a rare model for Whole Foods. That may leave an opening for a Trader Joe's, as the specialty grocery chain's stores average 8,000-12,000 sq ft. The retail space is described in planning documents as "12,000 sq ft of grocery space on level one & 18,000 sq ft of related grocery space on the lower level".

City Walk - Euclid at West Pine, St. Louis
{rendering of "Citywalk on Euclid" from 2009 proposal appears to reflect current design}

The latest City Walk proposal is for a 6-story building with 159 rental apartments, 6,100 sq ft of community space (fitness center, club house, cafe and lounge), and 393 parking spaces (up from 312 in 2009) in a garage conceled from street view. The rendering above, from the 2009 proposal shows a seventh story on the half of the project nearest Euclid, but otherwise still appears to accurately reflect the current design.

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

Citywalk - Euclid at West Pine - St. Louis, MO

City Walk - Euclid at West Pine, St. Louis
{view of Citywalk site and former Doctors Building (left) – image by nextSTL forum user arch city}

City Walk was first announced in the spring of 2005 as a 30 story, 317 unit (179 apartments and 138 condos) devopment. The heady days when a development on such a large scale seemed possible are gone. The Park East Tower (27 stories) and 4545 Lindell (11 stories) were built, while City Walk (nee Renaissanse on Euclid) and a 25-30 story building on the northeast corner of Euclid and Lindell failed to get off the drawing table.

The 11-story Doctor's Building was demolished in 2008 and the resulting hole in the ground (and pond) sat until 2011, when neighborhood residents finally demanded that it be filled. The promise of financing was invoked time and time again to justify leaving the site in poor condition for three years. While nothing has reportedly been signed, project plans appear to be nearing a starting point.

CONTRIBUTE

NextSTL is committed to providing original stories and unique perspectives on a variety of urban topics such as architecture, development, transportation, historic preservation, urban planning and design and public policy in St. Louis. We're always looking to add new, diverse voices to the mix. We accept anonymous tips, pitches for story ideas, and completed stories.

Learn More