nextSTL has learned developer Restoration St. Louis is moving ahead with plans to build a mixed-use building at 4400 Manchester Avenue in the city’s Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The V3 designed project includes 56 apartments and first floor retail and parking.

More than two and half years ago, an infill proposal for 4400 Manchester Avenue in The Grove was unveiled by Restoration St. Louis (image below). That plan called for 55 apartments, a pizza restaurant and Restoration St. Louis corporate offices. There’s likely more than one reason that project didn’t move forward, but a plan to place a surface parking lot behind the building on Swan was met with opposition from neighbors.

The proposed development site has been vacant since the 1970s according to Restoration St. Louis. While the neighborhood has changed and changed again over the past few decades, many long term vacant lots remain. Big and small developments have continued to increase development pressure along Manchester, with the conversion of the Renard Paper Company building into the popular Urban Chestnut Brewing Company retail and brewing facility, being the most high profile by far.

While renovations have been the norm, contemporary infill was introduced to the strip earlier this year with the completion of the mixed-use 4321 Manchester, with 20 apartments and multiple commercial spaces. That project was developed by Paramount Property Development and designed by UIC.

{completed 4321 Manchester}

Since the 2013 proposal, Restoration St. Louis has restored a row of buildings a block and half to the east of 4400 for its corporate offices. Offices occupy the first floor of several buildings, now connected by an added atrium. That project did not utilize any economic development incentives. The investment is just one indication that the firm is returning its attention to St. Louis after completed several high-profile projects in Davenport, IA.

In addition to its new offices, work on the nearly complete rebuild of the corner building at 4261 Manchester is wrapping up. Once completed it will be home to Sauce on the Side and Vincent Van Doughnut locations with apartments above.

A decade ago, Restoration St. Louis was by far the most active developer in the neighborhood now rebranded as The Grove. The company’s spray painted logo could be seen on board-ups on buildings on nearly every block. Dozens of properties were renovated for residential and commercial use, then came a bit of a pause.

In 2013, Restoration St. Louis sold its largest holdings in St. Louis for $68.5M. The package included The Coronado, Moolah Temple, and Lindell Towers across Lindell Boulevard from Saint Louis University’s Frost Campus. The next year, the company sold the nearby Lin-Van Apartments at Lindell and Vandeventer Avenue for $3.7M.

The biggest move by Restoration St. Louis in St. Louis since selling its Lindell properties has been the purchase of the 165K sf Adler & Sullivan Union Trust building at 705 Olive Street in downtown for $3.3M. Planned is a 130-suite Marriott Autograph hotel with fitness center, meeting rooms, restaurant and lounge. Apartments with access to hotel amenities are planned for floors 13 and 14. Restoration St. Louis also had the Chemical Building, adjacent to 705 Olive, under contract recently, but ultimately decided against purchasing that property.

Final planning for 4400 Manchester continues, with changes possible. It’s unclear at this point how anticipated parking requirements will be met, and whether the project will seek any incentives. If all goes according to plan, groundbreaking could be as early as late this year.

{Restoration St. Louis corporate offices at 4240 Manchester}

{705 Olive by Adler & Sullivan}

2013 proposal for 4400 Manchester by Restoration St. Louis: