Expo at Forest Park brings high-end living, transit improvements to Skinker-DeBaliviere area
The mixed-use development will include luxury apartments and retail space
Construction is underway on a new mixed-use development in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, just north of Forest Park, bringing residential living and new retail to the area. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held for Expo at Forest Park on Tuesday, October 27, to kick off the $90 million project.
“Expo at Forest Park is a wonderful example of thoughtful, impactful investment that strengthens our communities and drives economic growth,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson. “This development will completely transform the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, bringing new resources, amenities and stronger transit accessibility, all within steps of Forest Park, one of our city’s most iconic destinations.”
Expo at Forest Park will include 287 market-rate luxury apartments and 30,000 square feet of retail space within walking distance of the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center. The project from private developer Tegethoff Development is a transit-oriented development (TOD) and will include garage parking for Metro Transit commuters and enhanced access to the St. Louis region’s MetroBus network and MetroLink light-rail system. Included in the development are plans to adaptively reuse existing transit infrastructure and real estate at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center, including improving security, amenities and overall transit experience of MetroLink riders.
“The Metro Transit system has an important role as an economic engine for our region, not only through our services, but also as a resource that helps attract new investment into our communities,” said Taulby Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-State Development. “We are excited to work with our partners to bring Expo at Forest Park to life, a transformative mixed-use development that will bring new opportunities for the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood and enhance our region’s transit system.”
Expo at Forest Park consists of two separate multifamily buildings – the south building is 284,500 square feet and eight stories (one below grade) of apartments (184,700 square feet) and amenity space with 5,800 square feet of retail along with a 94,000 square foot parking garage; the north building is 172,600 square feet and six stories (one below grade) of 94,000 square feet of apartments and amenity space with 24, 3000 square feet of retail and a 54,300 square foot parking garage.
“At Tegethoff Development, we create ‘Irreplaceable Buildings in Irreplaceable Locations.’ The opportunity to transform this intersection and the north entry to Forest Park fits perfectly into our continued commitment to bring world-class residential and mixed-use developments to St. Louis,” said Jeff Tegethoff, President of Tegethoff Development. “Developments like this do not happen without an incredible team and we are fortunate to have assembled the best for Expo at Forest Park.”
Brinkmann Constructors, a St. Louis-based general contractor, is handling the construction of the entire project, including updating public utilities in the surrounding area. Brinkmann, along with Trivers, Bi-State Development and Tegethoff Development, has been working closely with neighborhood associations and city officials.
“Expo at Forest Park is an example of how strong partnerships can make communities even stronger,” said Bob Brinkmann, Founder and CEO of Brinkmann Constructors. “By coming together with like-minded organizations and working hard to build vibrant, livable spaces for residents with quick and easy access to public transportation, people are provided a better place to live, work and play.”
Expo at Forest Park is expected to be complete in 2022.
