ST. LOUIS (April 25, 2004) – Koplar Properties has announced plans to return Maryland Plaza, once one of the Midwest’s most glittering retail addresses, to its former prominence by combining unique retailers; state of the art office space; and a European-style back street in three landmark buildings in the City of St. Louis’ trendy Central West End (CWE) neighborhood. The $20 million project includes the gut rehab and modernization of the former Saks Building, the former Greenberg Gallery building, and the Medical Arts Building – as well as more than $3 million of improvements to the street, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping of Maryland Plaza, from Kingshighway to Euclid. Construction is expected to begin later this summer, with shop and restaurant doors scheduled to open in late summer, 2005.

Koplar Properties has worked closely with St. Louis City development officials, CWE alderwoman Lyda Krewson, and the Central West End Association to develop a plan that maintains the integrity of its historic neighborhood, but incorporates the design elements and amenities of contemporary retail shopping.  St. Louis-based architecture firm Klitzing Welsch Associates Inc. is the project’s primary architect.

"I am very excited about the redevelopment of the Koplar properties and the return of luxury retail to the south side of Maryland Plaza.  The neighbors, other residents, and I look forward to having great new places to shop. It has been a shame to have one of the best shopping streets in the city of St. Louis largely vacant," said Krewson.

Koplar Properties spent many months touring the country to see what other cities were doing in terms of new trendy destinations, retail planning and architecture design.  After visits to cities including Seattle, Scottsdale, Dallas and Denver, the Company realized that what other cities were trying to create, the Central West End already possessed.  “What we found after site visits to new urban/retail mixes in strong, growing cities is that the Central West End already possesses the inherent ambiance as these newer places are trying to create,” said Edward (Ted) Koplar, President and CEO of Koplar Properties.  “The new retailers and businesses we’ll bring to Maryland Plaza will help restore the character of the area and create a special urban/retail mix that is proving successful in other cities but will be unique to St. Louis.” 

 

Designed to attract retailers and businesses

The renovation and development planned for Maryland Plaza includes improvements designed to attract a dozen high-end retailers – and 150 new jobs – to Maryland Plaza.  The retailers’ presence would be unique to the region.  The trend-setting designer and specialty stores of the east and west coasts will have attractive street-level storefront locations looking out onto a re-landscaped Maryland Avenue through large display windows.  Flower boxes along the storefronts will restore a tradition to the area.  To accommodate the steady traffic that fills the Central West End’s array of restaurants, it is planned to extend the hours of operation of the new retailers so that visitors to Maryland Plaza can enjoy shopping before and after dinner.

Public improvements for Maryland Plaza include replacing the current cobblestones with smooth pavers.  The cobblestones will be returned to the City of St. Louis.  A design proposed by noted St. Louis landscape architect Austin Tao will also add trees and grassy areas, and new wider sidewalks. 

What is now a signature feature to Maryland Plaza – the fountain – will remain a focal attraction when the Maryland Plaza renovation is complete.  The current fountain will be removed and replaced with a new fountain and moved to the south walkway in front of the former Greenberg Gallery so that visitors and families can enjoy its beauty.  “The fountain will continue to be a landmark unique to Maryland Plaza,” said Ted Koplar.  “By moving the fountain on to the walk way, it will be more accessible for visitors and families to enjoy.”  The Company also plans to provide seating around the fountain, and is considering developing a program to donate the coins wished by passerby’s into the fountain to a charitable fund.

In what is currently an access alley behind the buildings, Koplar Properties plans to create a European-style street with street-level shops and café-style leisure and dining seating.  A second fountain will flow from the back wall and can be enjoyed from a walkway on Maryland Avenue or from a window tables at a new roof-top bistro.

“We wanted to bring a unique urban retail environment to St. Louis and develop Maryland Plaza with a style that truly makes it a destination for St. Louisans and complements the strong dining atmosphere that exists in the Central West End” said Sam Koplar, vice president of Koplar Properties and leader of the Maryland Plaza project. “The destination and atmosphere will be unique to the city of St. Louis.” Koplar hopes Maryland Plaza will be a hot spot that attracts people of all ages, from the college student and recent graduate to the older generation that can remember the earlier days of the stylish Maryland Avenue.

Maryland Plaza will also attract those who live in a wireless world.  Hi-speed wireless Internet access will be installed at Maryland Plaza so that guests can enjoy wireless web access from anywhere in the Plaza.

State-of-the-art office space is planned for the upper levels of the buildings, ideal for small to mid-size companies, including architecture firms, creative agencies and more.   The buildings will be renovated internally to accommodate modern-day business practices and capabilities. Ample daytime parking will be available for both business and leisure use, which will then be available in the evening for nighttime visitors to Maryland Plaza.  The current walkway connecting the Saks building and the parking garage behind it will be renovated and accented with unique, stone exterior design.

Both parallel and angle parking will be available on Maryland Plaza, and the City of St. Louis new Argyle Parking Garage is a block away. 

To enhance the beauty of the street, stylish lampposts that match the lighting master plan for the Central West End will replace current lighting.  In addition, security cameras will be installed in the Plaza to increase the security of the visitors and tenants.

 

Designed to provide unique urban shopping and entertainment destination for St. Louisans

Today’s younger generation will get to experience Maryland Plaza as our older generation may remember it. Vibrant. Stylish. Unique character. Trendy.  Guests will enjoy the escape from the traditional shopping mall to the breezy, outdoor street-level storefronts and attractive ambiance of Maryland Plaza, a destination that will be unique of its kind in the city of St. Louis.

Weekend shopping getaways, like those to Chicago or New York, will be much more convenient with a short drive to the new Maryland Plaza.  The renovations to Maryland Plaza will provide ideal locations for high-end stores to expand their presence into the Midwest.  Koplar Properties is currently working with experienced retail specialists to identify and attract fashion, specialty goods, galleries and other retailers. 

The new Maryland Plaza will also be an entertainment destination for the neighborhood, families, tourists and St. Louis community.  Special events, street festivals, outdoor concerts and other activities will be hosted on a regular basis to provide the community with enjoyable and enriching leisure entertainment. 

“We want to provide something for everyone with the new Maryland Plaza.  We want to create an atmosphere that attracts our city and suburban residents, and provide a unique experience for everyone who visits,” said Ted Koplar.  “Maryland Plaza will also be an enjoyable tourist destination for visitors to St. Louis.  It will be accessible to those visiting the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, Forest Park, Central West End, University City, downtown and more.  We hope the new Maryland Plaza will compliment the visits of travelers to our area.”

 

Bringing History To Life

Residents and visitors to the Central West End are attracted immediately to the character and beauty of the district.  With narrow streets, side-by-side buildings, detailed architecture, a mixture of businesses and retailers, multiple dining choices and beautiful homes and condos, a few hours in the Central West End is an escape from your everyday metropolitan surroundings.

While still a popular district in the city of St. Louis, the Central West End was known by our older generation as the “crème de la crème” of areas in the city, with upscale shopping, specialty stores, attractive business locations and entertainment.  With time has come changes including suburban expansion, relocation of companies, and changes in ownership. What has not been lost with time, however, is the beauty of the streets and buildings, and the potential for the area.

Ted Koplar commented that the timing of renovation along Maryland Avenue is perfect.  “There has been the need and interest to revive this area and to do something with the historic buildings,” said Koplar.  “The recent addition of the Argyle Parking Garage has provided the much needed ample and safe parking that will accommodate the visitors that Maryland Plaza will attract.” 

The Koplar family, well known in St. Louis for their business developments and commitment to the Central West End, brought businesses including the Park Plaza Hotel and KPLR television station to the area.  Ted Koplar inherited the Saks Building on Maryland Avenue from his father, Harold Koplar, with plans to one day revive the area with something that would enhance the experiences of visitors.  These plans were delayed, however, when it was determined that sufficient parking was not available nearby to provide an accessible experience for shoppers. A few years ago, the addition of the Argyle Parking Garage provided the area with much-needed convenient and accessible parking for Central West End visitors.  In 2003, Koplar Properties purchased two buildings west of the Saks Building along Maryland Plaza – the Greenberg Van Doren Gallery and the Medical Arts Building.

These historic buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the exterior may experience some restoration but will not be altered.  The Maryland Plaza Renovation Plans unveiled by Koplar Properties today will bring history back to life, providing our community with a unique shopping and entertainment destination, while reviving a district with great history in our city.