OFFICIAL: Power & Light District

[trailerkid]

Is it called "Hey you guys at 16th and Grand and Edwards BBQ!  Move here so we can take your buildings!"? 

I believe Cordish did actually try to negotiate a deal with Edwards BBQ. It obviously didn't work.

[ShowMeKC]

It wasn't Cordish that was negotiating with them, it was Copaken White and Blitt, who want to build an office mid-rise there on the southern end of the block.

[kard]

It wasn't Cordish that was negotiating with them, it was Copaken White and Blitt, who want to build an office mid-rise there on the southern end of the block.

Sure, but you'd better believe that it's been mentioned to them.  These people would have to talk on a regular basis.

[trailerkid]

What is the general opinion on Cordish using a large number of "in-house" restaurant/entertainment concepts?

I find it quite radical and ambitious. If a shop or restaurant doesn't work in an environment like a large casino or Disney property-- the development pulls the plug and comes up with something new. Cordish has the upper hand over competing developments by offering a high level of quality control and exclusivity. If a certain bar/restaurant isn't doing what they want it to, it can easily be replaced instead of suffering through a lease with an outside tenant. It seems that developers creating/managing the concepts on their properties could be the wave of the future.

[CityLiving]

What is the general opinion on Cordish using a large number of "in-house" restaurant/entertainment concepts?

I find it quite radical and ambitious. If a shop or restaurant doesn't work in an environment like a large casino or Disney property-- the development pulls the plug and comes up with something new. Cordish has the upper hand over competing developments by offering a high level of quality control and exclusivity. If a certain bar/restaurant isn't doing what they want it to, it can easily be replaced instead of suffering through a lease with an outside tenant. It seems that developers creating/managing the concepts on their properties could be the wave of the future.

Just speculating here, but could it be they are having a difficult time attracting any one to pay their rents and therefore they infill with their own businesses?  The alternative could be empty store fronts. 

Another view could be that they are placing their own concepts and restaurants at the premier locations within the district and gives them a leg up to start with.  The non-affiliated retailers fight for the remaining locations that are not as prominent.

[trailerkid]

Just speculating here, but could it be they are having a difficult time attracting any one to pay their rents and therefore they infill with their own businesses?  The alternative could be empty store fronts. 

Another view could be that they are placing their own concepts and restaurants at the premier locations within the district and gives them a leg up to start with.  The non-affiliated retailers fight for the remaining locations that are not as prominent.

I don't see a national tenant that would be in the same category as Maker's Mark or Mosiac. Fox and Hound?

[aknowledgeableperson]

There are many reasons why a developer would "control" restaurant and entertainment concepts.  Here are a few.
Ready tenants for their developments
A way to make more money from a development
A way to control concepts so other developers or developments do not utilize them

[WinchesterMysteryHouse]

Tenant control sounds Mafia. 

[KCTigerFan]

Cordish is leading the way in dining/entertainment concept partnerships.  It allows for them to better "craft" the image of the development they are building.  In my experience that is the hardest part in mixed-use.  If they fund/partner in concepts it makes the rest of the development much more palatable for like minded retail.  As was mentioned earlier, it also allows them to shift concepts to taste and control the mix better.  I am confident that their actions are due to their plan and not due to lack of interest by other concepts.  They are carefully controlling the mix of retail while still filling the space.  You can always throw in a JoS A Bank and not sacrifice any "feel" if you also have an Apple Store and Kate Spade...   

[CyDanny]

Maybe they like to control tenants so that they can put in businesses that they feel will be able to succeed with what their vision of the development is, rather than let it go to chance.

As long as there is no McDonald's or Burger King down there, I'm happy.

[KCPowercat]

As a downtown resident and worker, I have no problem with fast food options been added.  That is the weakest area of restaurants right now....I hear complaints all the time.

[mister816]

As a downtown resident and worker, I have no problem with fast food options been added.  That is the weakest area of restaurants right now....I hear complaints all the time.

I'm with you, i live downtown and i don't like wendys (in the bottoms) and sadly that is the closest fast food place to downtown.  If they did show up, I'd welcome them with open arms.

[Tosspot]

there's the mcdonald's in city center square, though i'm sure it probably doesn't stay open very late.

[trailerkid]

As a downtown resident and worker, I have no problem with fast food options been added.  That is the weakest area of restaurants right now....I hear complaints all the time.

Very few of the fast food options are visible from the street.

Cordish is not being paid to bring in Taco Bell and Popeye's IMO. The piazza area in front of Bloch should be fast casual operations that you don't see in every food court.

[Stockton]

I saw on SkyscraperPage that downtown STL has a cool street-front Hardee's. I actually like Hardee's, so when I saw that I was thinking "I wish we had that here". They also have Macy's, Panera, and a Gap, I believe. We need that "downtown shopping street". When I live downtown in the future, it'll be nice to be able to have all this stuff in my backyard.

Cool urban Hardee's: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/ ... CF0216.jpg

[KCMax]

Cool. I don't mind chains so long as they can adapt their business to fit the urban landscape.

[schugg]

I saw on SkyscraperPage that downtown STL has a cool street-front Hardee's. I actually like Hardee's, so when I saw that I was thinking "I wish we had that here". They also have Macy's, Panera, and a Gap, I believe. We need that "downtown shopping street". When I live downtown in the future, it'll be nice to be able to have all this stuff in my backyard.

Cool urban Hardee's: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/ ... CF0216.jpg

yes it's cool but I'm not sure about the parking facade.

[CyDanny]

yes it's cool but I'm not sure about the parking facade.

It seems to be vying for the "Most hideous structure ever" award

[Stockton]

Another view of Hardee's: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/ ... CF0210.jpg

STL Bread Co (Panera), Hooter's, and some sort of bar are all also at the base of the structure. Here is the thread for anybody who isn't familiar with SSP: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128623

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/ ... CF0208.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/ ... CF0222.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/ ... CF0211.jpg

Point is, prominent storefronts on the street are great, as opposed to the City Center Square situation.

[mister816]

yea guys... sorry for the fast food lovers, but every downtown high traffic area that I've been to does have fast food.  hell even south beach (one of the priciest areas to visit) has a burger king and a mcdonalds.  the  las vegas strip (one of the other highest traffic areas in america) has 2 mcdonalds. and stl, minneapolis, dallas and houston all have fast food.  It might be inevitable.