It was just last month that Koplar Properties announced plans for the construction of a 30-story apartment project at Kingshighway and Lindell. Now, news has surfaced about a proposal for an apartment project several blocks north at Kingshighway and McPherson.
Pier Property Group’s Michael Hamburg is proposing a 5-story 118-unit apartment building to be built on top of the 2-story building formerly occupied by Reliance Automotive, which closed in 2017. The existing building will provide 127 parking spaces for the apartments above.
An aerial view looking southeast.
There have been several proposals for the site over the years, including one that called for the demolition of the existing building for the development of an urgent care center. That proposal failed to obtain the endorsement of either the Central West End Planning & Development Committee or the City of St. Louis’ Cultural Resources Office.
This view looking southwest from McPherson shows that the new structure will encompass the existing driveway behind Reliance as well as a residential structure just to the east.
A view looking northwest from the Racquet Club parking lot showing the pool deck.
The proposal is on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the City’s Preservation Board on Monday, March 28.
I’m glad to hear it, Jim! I’m grateful that planning is done thoughtfully and with input from the impacted neighbors.
I’m grateful to see ideas for that corner. Having any activity there will help draw attention to the traffic issues on Kingshighway and force action. That said, I really don’t like the ground level garage parking look. There’s got to be something else for passersby to see in an overwhelmingly residential, walker-friendly neighborhood. Maybe office space at the corner? A market? Anything that isn’t just building advertising and doesn’t look like the long sides of a building masking cars.
Ann….good catch! Actually, the corner space at ground level will be activated and will “engage” with the public domain. The area that was formerly the retail space for Reliance will be adapted for use as community space for residents and for leasing and management offices for the project. Special attention was devoted to that concern by the CWE Planning & Development Committee during the design review process.
What an absolutely wonderful idea. That will revitalize the Five Churches corner in a very positive way. Hoping the church next door will be next.