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| Intersections A major crossroads in St. Louis County experiences new growth |
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by Christine Pesout Big changes are underway at Clayton Road and Lindbergh Boulevard this year; changes that will alter the face of the intersection but ultimately uphold its character as a graceful combination of both profitable business and an elegant neighborhood community. Lawrence Hoffman, DDS, began working in the center located on the northeast corner of Clayton Road and Lindbergh Boulevard in 1978. As both a part-time writer who has researched the area and longtime business owner, he provides great insight to the area. Hoffman says the basic configuration of the intersection has remained unchanged during the past 25 years. He cites numerous businesses that got their start in the center, including Sam Cavato and Nicoletti’s Barber Shop, as well as others that remain only as memories such as Hausler Travel Associates. The northeast corner has proven to be an ideal spot for the grocery business, as the Schnucks located in the center was originally Bettendorf ’s. It’s such a stable area,” says Hoffman. “I haven’t even considered moving.” He notes that while there is not a lot of age stratification or influx of young people moving to the area, a growing number of families are moving into infills nearby, and that, he feels, is the biggest stimulus to residential growth. While the northwest corner of the intersection has been primarily home to many retail establishments over the years, a hotel has been a constant for more than 50 years. From the original two-story roadhouse with individual cabins that opened 1946, to the current Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, the location has proved to be a desirable place to rest while traveling. In the 1950s, it became a drive-up motel, two units of which still remain. In 1973, the front of the hotel, the ballroom and the dining room were connected to the existing buildings. The towers were added in 1976 and the building off Clayton Road in 1984. Hilton bought the hotel in 1994. Sharon Lutz, director of loss prevention with the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, has worked at the hotel for more than 19 years and says one key to its success has been “location, location, location.” She notes that it is the perfect place for someone who doesn’t want to stay downtown, but who needs to be able to get around the city easily. “We’re not far from the airport,” she explains, “and we’re in a well-to-do neighborhood where guests don’t have to worry about crime.” The hotel has undergone extensive renovation of guest rooms, the lobby and bar in the past three years and plans are underway to complete work on the elevators, conference rooms and more over the next year. Slightly further west of the hotel is Le Chateau Village, home to several retail stores, offices and service businesses. Mary Pillsbury, owner of Mary Pillsbury Co., moved from a storefront in Clayton to Le Chateau Village eight years ago. “The location is perfect for businesses,” she says. “Our customers live in the area and the parking is wonderful.” Plaza Frontenac was built on the southwest corner of Clayton Road and Lindbergh Boulevard in 1974. According to Hoffman, the land was originally a landbanked project for Washington University’s Doctors Hospital Foundation. The university eventually sold the land to Plaza Frontenac and put the money back into the hospital location on Kingshighway Boulevard. The corner’s newest development is the addition of Brio Tuscan Grille. Perhaps the biggest change in the area, however, is the development of the southeast corner at the former location of Schneithorst’s Hofamberg Inn. While the Kaffee Haus, Bierkeller Lounge and outdoor rooftop Biergarten remain, the space once occupied by the restaurant will soon be home to the Village at Schneithorst’s, a new office/retail enclave. Steeped in the Old World tradition of Schneithorst’s, the new two-story building will offer 17,600 square feet for boutique shops at street level and 15,000 square feet of office space on the second level. The development is scheduled to open this year. John Shemeld, vice president, engineering, with Hensley Construction Inc., general contractor for the project, says it’s always exciting to be involved with a development at such a vital intersection. “It’s basically Main at Main,” he explains. “We enjoy being a part of the transformation of such an established landmark as Schneithorst’s, and maintaining its history, while at the same time, moving toward the future.” Finally, MODOT’s “The New I-64” project involves the replacement of the I-64 and Lindbergh Boulevard interchange. As anyone who has taken one of its exists a little too fast or deftly maneuvered around traffic merging onto the highway will agree, change is welcome. “At least once a month, someone comes flying off,” says Hoffman. Renderings of the proposed changes are available www.thenewi64.org.While a start date for the project is not definite, plans indicate work beginning in 2007. As the area prepares for extensive projects such as these, business owners like Hoffman are noticing some helpful changes. The area, for example, was affectionately nicknamed “brown-out corner” up until last year because of major problems with the power grid. “We have countless stories of finishing up procedures by flashlight,” says Hoffman. The intersection of Clayton Road and Lindbergh Boulevard marks the meeting point of various entities: it’s where the community of Ladue meets Frontenac, where businesses meets residents and old meets new. Follow the exciting developments happening at this crossroads in the next few months.
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