Davis Street Land Co. is opening The Meadows at Lake St. Louis on Aug. 23. The Meadows is the first lifestyle center developed in St. Charles County. The first phase includes nearly 30 retailers and restaurants, including 13 opening their only stores in St. Charles County plus three making their Missouri debut. Designer of the complex is M+H Architects. Brinkmann Constructors is the general contractor on the $33 million project. Other team members are Stock and Associates , civil engineer; Alper Audi Inc., structural engineer; Durrant, M/E/P; and SWT, landscape/hardsca
Located on a 64-acre site at Lake Saint Louis Boulevard and Interstate 64 (I-64), the center will include such retailers as BC's Kitchen, Banana Republic, Cach, Chico's, Clarkson Jewelers, Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer, Jos. A. Bank, New Balance St. Louis, Puddle Ducks, Salon Kashmir, Talbots and The Walking Company. Three retailers will be making their Missouri debut at The Meadows, including Von Maur Department Store (to open in 2010); Backwoods, the outdoor apparel chain opening in early 2009; and Bachrach.
Phase I features four retail buildings totaling 260,000 square feet clustered around an inviting central plaza with seating and performance spaces. A 15-foot tall bronze sculpture by local artist Marty Linson stands at the plaza's center. A 40-foot-tall clock tower marks the octagonal-shaped plaza with its venue for festive events presented on an inviting stage. A pergola with a redwood trellis forms the backdrop for the stage. Four 12-foot-high stone columns topped with limestone planters mark gateways to the plaza.
Each of The Meadows' four buildings hosts 10 to 15 retailers. Storefronts contrast deep-set, limestone frames with 11- to 15-plus-foot-tall shop windows and clerestories accented with brick and limestone facades. Shops feature distinctive entrances which emphasize individual brand. Continuity is expressed in cast medallions bearing the logo of The Meadows and store addresses, a limestone ribbon around each building and gabled roofs with slate-style shingles and ornamental copper gutters, downspouts and flashing.
A dozen patterns and types of brick pavers and stamped concrete are used to subtly direct way-finding. Cast iron benches and decorative railing framing landscaped stretches add to the charm. The center is planted with more than 100 varieties of trees, grasses, and flowers. Parking is provided via discreet, intuitively navigated roundabout slowing and directing automobile traffic around the plaza.
At night, architectural lighting illuminates elements of building facades shadowed during the day, including basket weave brick patterns beneath eaves and medallions. Landscape lighting and cast iron street lights brighten walks for shoppers.
The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis is owned, leased and managed by Davis Street Land Company in partnership with Bruce Johnston, a lifetime resident of St. Louis with more than 25 years of retail real estate experience. Based in Chicago, Ill., Davis Street develops and owns upscale specialty and lifestyle centers. The principals of the company are responsible for such unique retail properties as Plaza Frontenac and The Shops at Clarkson Corner in St. Louis, Renaissance Place and Orland Park Crossing in Chicago, The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville, Tenn. and The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert, Calif. To learn more, visit http://www.dslandco.com .
