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4 Billion in Downtown Improvements Underway in St. Louis

Everywhere you look in St. Louis, there's something new and exciting taking place. Like the points on a compass, major developments are rising to the North, South, East and West of the America's Center® convention complex in downtown St. Louis. Developers have spent more than $4 billion on projects ranging from sports and entertainment facilities to casinos, condos, and hotels throughout the region.

Meeting and convention planners booking St. Louis for future dates will find a revitalized downtown neighborhood ready to welcome their groups, and an improved and expanded supply of lodging options. Their attendees will find a variety of unique attractions, charming neighborhoods, more than a thousand one-of-a-kind restaurants and a never-ending supply of nightlife options throughout downtown and across the St. Louis region.

Downtown St. Louis currently offers 7,600 hotel rooms within a mile of America's Center convention complex, 5,000 of which are committable. Area-wide, there are 35,000 sleeping rooms, 10,000 of which are committable for conventions, with the 26 largest hotels offering more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space each. More than 2,600 hotel sleeping rooms have been added to the downtown core, and a number of hotels have undergone updates and renovations.

Missouri's first Four Seasons Hotel is located within the Lumière Place casino complex, located just east of America's Center. And the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront, formerly the Adam's Mark Hotel, has undergone a $63 million dollar, building-wide renovation. Other new or recently renovated properties include the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, Renaissance Grand and Renaissance Suites, St. Louis' first Westin, Sheraton City Center, Drury Plaza Hotel, and Hilton St. Louis Downtown. Additional hotels have been opened throughout the area, including the Drury Inn & Suites - St. Louis Forest Park, and Homewood Suites by Hilton in Maryland Heights.

To the West: Washington Avenue Redevelopment
When meeting attendees step outside of the main entrance to the America's Center convention complex on Washington Avenue, they'll find themselves at the epicenter of downtown's revitalization. The hip and trendy Loft District is home to an array of restaurants, retail and nightlife options. Thanks to the redevelopment of many of the area's most architecturally significant buildings is contributing to the recent renaissance, as more than 2,500 new lofts and condos have opened in St. Louis' historic buildings. The neighborhood's residents bring a 24/7 lifestyle to the streets of downtown.

To the South: Ballpark & Ballpark Village
Just south of America's Center, another of St. Louis architectural gems has been restored and is open for business. The Old Post Office, designed in the French Second Empire style, was originally built in 1884 as a customs house that accommodated all the federal offices in St. Louis. It became an emblem of the area's importance to the westward expansion of the United States and the region's significance in the country's post-Civil War recovery. After a $286 million restoration, the building houses a satellite campus for St. Louis-based Webster University, offices for the Missouri Court of Appeals, the St. Louis Business Journal and casual dining options. Trees, new sidewalks with granite pavers and historic light fixtures surround the restored building, and a new public plaza is under development.

Further south, St. Louis' favorite boys of summer return to the Busch Stadium each year for top notch baseball action. The St. Louis Cardinals christened their newest roost with a World Series championship in 2006, and plans are underway to develop the surrounding area into an entertainment area called Ballpark Village. Busch Stadium's design highlights the city's rich baseball history as well as incorporating all of the "creature comforts" of home. From inside, fans have a spectacular view of the Gateway Arch and the downtown skyline, and the stadium features state-of-the-art seating, improved sight lines, a variety of foodstuffs, and a more open design to help improve fan comfort. There are a number of indoor and outdoor special event spaces available for groups, including party suites and all-inclusive sections that offer food buffets and beverage bars. 

Next to the stadium, the Cupples Station development has brought new life to a group of 10 historic railroad warehouses. The area has been turned into a mixed-use development next to Busch Stadium. Located in the historic Cupples Station is Westin St. Louis, a 257-room luxury hotel that was built in four of the historic warehouses, along with office space, retail and the popular local restaurant J. Buck's. Busch Stadium and Cupples Station are located less than one mile south of the America's Center convention complex. They are connected with America's Center via MetroLink light rail system.

To the East:  Lumière Place
On the east side of the convention center's Edward Jones Dome is the Laclede's Landing entertainment district, which is anchored by the recently opened Lumière Place. Lumière Place is a $550 million casino complex that features a 75,000-square-foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines and more than 40 table games. Lumière also offers a nightclub, luxury spa, business center, banquet facilities, and seven fine and casual dining restaurants. There are also two hotels - a 200-guestroom Four Seasons Hotel and HoteLumière, an all-suites property - and a 500-foot long indoor pedestrian walkway that connects the casino complex with America's Center and the rest of downtown.

In the Middle of it All:  America's Center
The building in the middle of these entertaining developments, America's Center, offers convention and meeting groups up to 502,000 square feet of prime exhibit space in six contiguous halls. In addition to the recently renovated Executive Conference Center, the facility includes 82 flexible meeting rooms, the 1,400-seat Ferrara Theatre, a 28,000-square foot ballroom, and plenty of pre-function space. The Edward Jones Dome at America's Center is ideal for general sessions and entertainment events for private groups. The Dome also is home to the NFL's St. Louis Rams and major sporting events such as the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, The Gateway Classic, and an annual gridiron match-up that pits two historically black college football teams against one another.

Ecelctic Restaurants Fill Historic Buildings Near America's Center
St. Louis has always been known as a great restaurant town where visitors can find more than a thousand unique places to eat. But now it's even easier for convention attendees to find those legendary meals close to the America's Center convention complex. Washington Avenue and the Loft District have transformed into a trendy neighborhood that includes new restaurants by noted national chefs, nightclubs, specialty boutiques and galleries.

Chef Larry Forgione, known as the godfather of New American cuisine, has opened his latest restaurant, An American Place, inside the Renaissance Grand, across from America's Center. The upscale eatery proudly serves regional cuisine accented with the best products available across the country to create a memorable dining experience. The restaurant is located in what was once the ornate lobby of the historic Statler Hotel built in 1917 to accommodate elite travelers.

Lucas Park Grille, located at street level of the Rudman building, was designed to resemble a contemporary, warm and comfortable lodge - a feat it definitely achieved. The restaurant features fireplaces and casual seating areas scattered among the traditional tables, and the menu offers seasonal Midwestern specialties.

Other popular eateries near the convention center include: Mosaic, serving modern fusion cuisine; Wasabi, a sushi bar; Joseph's Downtown, serving Italian-American specialties; and an Irish pub, The Dubliner. They join established downtown dining institutions including Tony's, the most honored Italian restaurant in America; Mike Shannon's Steaks & Seafood, owned by the Cardinals' broadcaster; Schlafly Tap Room, a brew-pub serving English pub-style delicacies; and Charlie Gitto's Pasta House.

For a complete list of restaurants in the area, or for more information about improvements in downtown St. Louis, contact the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0037 or at www.explorestlouis.com.   

Updated: May 30, 2008

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MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.