Note: Interior photos taken during a June 12th, 2020 tour.
There will soon be a new residential building joining the list of recently completed residential projects in the city limits. This building is Steelcote Crossing. Technically Phase 2 of Pier Property Group's Steelcote Square development in Midtown, this building adds something new to the apartment mix in St. Louis: micro-studios. More on that later, but first, some background.
Steelcote Crossing was built in the former Columbia Oil Building at Papin and Edwin Square in Midtown St. Louis. At some point in the building's life, a 3rd floor was added. The building sat vacant for several years before being picked up by Pier Property Group. With the Steelocte Lofts redevelopment then ongoing, PPG set sail on "Steelcote Crossing" with the intention of redeveloping the building into 15 micro-studios and a brewery/distillery space. Today, the building is nearly complete with the exception of some final clean up work on the site.
The first interested residents will be able to sign a lease and move in within a matter of a few weeks. Now, time to dive in to this project.
Micro-studios are typically found in larger cities with high rent or found in places where space is tight. In the case of Steelcote Crossing, space is really tight. The building is not that big and building normal sized units in this building wouldn't have made this project feasible, or at least it seems that way. The units in this building range in size from 395sqft to 756sqft. There are only two units in the building above 460sqft, and those are the normal studio units. Unit 201 is 750sqft and unit 301 is 756sqft. Through design however, the units can feel larger than they actually area. Large windows, light colored paint, and a smaller kitchen make the space feel larger. Further, cabinets provide space for clothes and other things without taking up much space. So that 395sqft unit feels a bit larger than you would expect.
The finishes in the units are high end. It's not a cheap build out. Everything had to be thoughtfully designed to make the units appealing to people. Even then, these units are not for everyone. These units are for people who want to live a simple life with no extras and that's what you'll get by living here. It's the perfect minimalist life style. For those who want to save some money, the amount of natural light in the units makes it to where you don't have to have any lights on in your unit, besides the bathroom, from sunrise to dusk.
You can see pictures of the units below.
The hallways in the building are minimalist as well. The individual elevator lobbies will have a little sitting area but nothing else really. The main lobby, on the first floor, will include a larger sitting area in addition to a mail room. Other amenities will come at a later date with the completion of the Mill Creek Flats.
Photos of the hallways, stairway and the lobby are below.
The first floor is home to a sizable retail space that is aimed at a brewery or distillery and it's easy to see why. While the future seating area is a great size, the potential "brewing tanks" room is huge. High ceilings (up to 20FT) take up this special space. I could easily see whatever future tanks go in here being lit up by color changing lights to make them visible from the outside but also within the restaurant/tasting room space itself.
No tenant has signed onto the space yet, so it will be finished "white-box" style to allow the future tenant to customize the space to their liking. All visitors to the brewery will enter via the main entrance on Edwin Street, now known as Steelcote Square. The ADA accessible entrance is on the parking lot (north) side of the building.
Pictures of the space are below.
Outside of the building, you'll find plenty of parking on a new parking lot built between the main Lofts building and the Crossing. In addition to the parking lot, you'll find a nice outdoor patio area with bike racks. This space could be used by the retail space tenant for a Biergarten if they choose. I personally think it would make a perfect hangout spot especially as the area changes for the better.
Finally, a new sidewalk was created to make getting around a little easier. While the sidewalks in this area are hit or miss, I expect them to all connect at some point as the neighborhood develops. A faded out bike lane is on Edwin Street as well.
Overall, the project is a solid addition to the St. Louis City apartment lineup. Being one of many components that will make Midtown the place to be over the next decade is great. I do think these units will appeal to quite a few people who want to live a small life, but I don't see them filling up until Mill Creek Flats is completed. Once that is finished, the area will start to feel more urban than how it does now. Regardless, I'm glad to see this project completed. Onto the next one.
Website: SteelcoteCrossing.com
Related CityScene STL Features...
Steelcote Crossing Story: https://www.cityscene-stl.com/post/steelcote-crossing-columbia-oil-building-to-begin-redevelopment
A Look Inside Steelcote Lofts (January 2019): https://www.cityscene-stl.com/post/a-look-inside-the-steelcote-lofts
Mill Creek Flats Story (January 2019): https://www.cityscene-stl.com/post/pier-property-group-planning-20-million-apartment-building-in-midtown