Koplar Properties and Albion Residential of Chicago are proposing a 30-story $135M building with 293 apartments at the corner of Lindell and Kingshighway in the Central West End neighborhood. The site at the northeast corner of Forest Park has long begged the question, “when is something going to happen here?” With each economic expansion and contraction anticipation would ebb and flow, multiplied recently by the completion of 100 Hundred next door. Core sample drilling had been seen last year, and a zoning-only building permit was submitted to the city in December. The St. Louis Business Journal broke the news last month.
Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the Albion West End features 24 floors of apartments above a podium of structured parking of 340 spaces and retail space. The 24th floor has an outdoor terrace for residents. Amenities include co-working spaces, a fitness facility with an outdoor pool, and a rooftop deck including a sports lounge and “stargazing room.” They hope to break ground this fall.
A community engagement meeting is being held March 22nd 6pm at the Chase Park Plaza. Hopefully we’ll see more renderings, see a site plan, and hear more details. One concern is the ground level facing Lindell. A lifeless garage screen would be unfortunate.
What tax incentives they will seek? Incentives could include property tax abatement and sales tax exemption on construction materials. The developers have legal support from Husch Blackwell and Lewis Rice. Husch Blackwell is very experienced at navigating the incentive process for clients, which will be necessary, as the Jones administration has, so far, taken a tougher stance on providing developers with incentives.
It might be a good time to ask Koplar to give some love to their long-neglected building at 1711 Locust in Downtown West.
