SLDC’s Support Helps 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis Bring New Life to Downtown West
In Downtown West, a historic building has been reimagined as one of St. Louis’ most distinctive destinations with support from the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC): 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis.
Housed in the historic former YMCA building on Locust Street that opened in 1926, the hotel uses hospitality, public art, local partnership and community programming in a way that honors the property’s past while contributing to the City of St. Louis’ future.
“We’re celebrating 100 years of this building being here,” said Chris Randall, Director of Community Impact at 21c St. Louis. “The property has served the community, including youth, seniors and people who came here to convene and make themselves feel better. We’re excited to bring new life into this space and let it carry forward for another 100 years while continuing to be a resource for the community.”
The $90 million adaptive reuse development was made possible with support from SLDC through tax abatement and public infrastructure coordination. The project also reflects SLDC’s broader work to strengthen investment in downtown activations and spur economic activity in St. Louis.
“We could not exist without SLDC’s support, and our partnership is so meaningful to us,” Chris said. “The decision to support 21c St. Louis has helped create workforce development opportunities, support local vendors and keep dollars invested in the city.”
In the Q&A below, Chris share more about how 21c St. Louis is connecting people, ideas and local partners.
How would you describe 21c St. Louis to someone who has never visited?
Chris: As a contemporary art museum with a hotel, it’s already a very unique space. We have Idol Wolf, our Spanish-inspired restaurant, led by Executive Chef Dwayne Smalling; Good Press, where we serve coffee locally brewed from Northwest Coffee; and the Locust Street Athletic and Swim Club, a fitness and wellness space.
And then we have the museum. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is always free to the public. The founders of the 21c Museum Hotels brand, Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, believe that art should be for everyone; not gatekept. At our property, art comes from all over the world and it’s meant to be seen by all.
What does community impact look like at 21c St. Louis?
Chris: It starts with connecting the community to the property through intentionality and strategy.
We are purposeful about who we partner with. We have community impact programming where we connect with organizations and nonprofit partners working around youth engagement, racial equity and socioeconomic equity who host community events and help find opportunities to use this space for good.
At 21c St. Louis, we believe it’s less about simply putting heads in beds and more about being a resource to the city.
Why is it important to support local business and community partners?
Chris: At 21c St. Louis, we put our money where our mouth is by spending locally.
The focus is to keep as many dollars circulating in St. Louis as possible. That is a paramount part of our mission. How we support this mission shows up through our local vendors, coffeehouse, bar program and community programming.
What role does 21c play in Downtown West?
Chris: I like to say that 21c has been a bright light. Residents come in and use the lobby as an open co-working space. People stop by with no expectations, enjoy the art and maybe grab a coffee.
You also see new developments happening in and around the area. Developers are recognizing that Downtown West is a purposeful and meaningful investment opportunity, and it is exciting to see that momentum.
Why are public-private partnerships important for adaptive reuse projects like this?
Chris: Projects like this would not be possible without true partnerships happening in our region. If public and private entities are not collaborating and working together, we stay stuck. St. Louis deserves better.
When we are working together, collaborating and communicating, amazing things happen. 21c St. Louis’s partnership with SLDC is a great example.
What opportunities do you see ahead for 21c St. Louis?
Chris: More collaboration and opportunities to bring new and vibrant vendors into this space.
We want to be headquarters for great ideas, and the collaborator, friend, thought partner and place for people coming up with the next great thing about St. Louis.
Visit 21c St. Louis with no expectations – grab a drink, have dinner or just walk around the museum – and leave inspired. We want to be a space for people to live, work, play and come together.