The ownership group for Major League Soccer’s St. Louis team revealed their broader vision for an entire mixed-use stadium district to be located in St. Louis’ Downtown West area.
As part of their updated stadium-site plan, the proposed MLS stadium will now expand north of Market, between 20th and 22nd streets, connecting Downtown West between Union Station, south of the stadium, and businesses on Olive and further north.
In working with both city and state officials, and in partnership with St. Louis-based architecture firm HOK and Julie Snow, co-founder of Snow Kreilich Architects, the ownership group wants to ensure the new stadium and surrounding district will continue St. Louis’ growth and revitalization alongside important community projects like Great Rivers Greenway and the developments at Union Station.
The new stadium site will not only extend the Gateway Mall, but will also help direct it north and south.
“Our vision is to create a district around our proposed MLS stadium that will get people excited to visit Downtown West, not only before and after games, but on non-game days, as well,” said Carolyn Kindle Betz, who leads the ownership group for the new St. Louis soccer team. “We believe this district will not only be the heart of St. Louis soccer, but a special piece of downtown that will fuel the renaissance currently underway.”
Along with Union Station and the western portion of the Gateway Mall, this future development will help transform Downtown West into a flourishing urban activity hub, perfect for hosting music festivals, youth sports tournaments and charity events, all anchored by the MLS stadium, which is expected to seat 25,000 people.