According to CityScene STL sources (four to be exact) a hotel is being planned, by Denver Colorado based NuovoRE, in the old YMCA building on Locust Street. The large building, in Downtown West, went vacant last year as a result of the YMCA moving to the former St. Louis Centre Mall (now known as the Mercantile Exchange) at 6th and Locust. According to the Business Journal, NuovoRE acquired the building, at 1528 Locust Street, on December 18th with plans not yet known, but what is known is that NuovoRE has connections to the Walton Family.
But now comes the revelation that the building may be heading towards a future as a hotel and retail space. My sources have indicated that NuovoRE will use their experience in developing hotels in older buildings on this project but will also incorporate retail space to add life to this stretch of Locust. The retail space would be added in on the ground floor. In addition, one of my sources has stated that an addition to the building could be built to the direct East on a vacant parking lot. According to him, the new addition could be a floor or two and incorporate NuovoRE's future Food Hall concept. From these details, it seems like NuovoRE's plan fits in well with their description on their website.
The description states...
Through adaptive reuse, NuovoRE develops historic properties into transformative experiences. Our objective is to help craft meaningful connections between consumer, place, and culture.
Based on what this project may be, it fits their description pretty well. If the YMCA building becomes a hotel, it will become the fourth boutique hotel planned or underway in Downtown West. The others are...
The Last Hotel
Municipal Courts (Hyatt Place)
Jefferson Arms AC Hotel
YMCA
The redevelopment will also become the 11th building to be brought back to life in Downtown West. The others include...
Jefferson Arms (Conversion to a Hotel, Apartments and Retail)
Tire Mart Building (Conversion to Lofts)
Municipal Courts (Conversion to Hotel)
International Shoe Company (Conversion to The Last Hotel)
Mendenhall Ford Building (Conversion to Office Space and Retail)
Block Bounded by 21st, Locust, 22nd and Washington (5 Buildings to be Converted to Office and Retail Space)
YMCA (Conversion to a Hotel?)
As of this story's writing, construction fencing has been erected around the building and the main entrance has been boarded up.
I'll continue to try to get these reports confirmed by NuovoRE and will publish an update if I hear back. Also, follow along on Twitter and Facebook for more updates regarding this.
FORUM LINK: https://www.cityscene-stl.com/forum/downtown-st-louis/ymca-building-16th-locust
UPDATE: January 3rd, 2019
According to building permit records, NuovoRE applied for an interior demolition permit on December 21st. The records also specify, "Use: Hotel". The permit has yet to be issued. I'll keep asking for more information.
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