Colonial MarketPlace is Headed for the Home Stretch

The Colonial MarketPlace in both Ladue and Clayton is on a fast track to a construction finish. Everything should be completed by mid to late spring.

Already, tenants are moving in and open for business. The DESCO Group project has already welcomed Blown Away, a hair dry bar created by two native St. Louisans; Ivy Hill Boutique, stylish women’s clothes with its first location in the Central West End; Southwest Hearing, FedEx Kinkos; Ladue News Headquarters and Splash casual clothing which relocated last summer from the Galleria.

The center is 75 percent leased with many interested parties seeking the final spaces. Leases have been signed and build out is well underway for Dimvaloo Active Living, Lorna Jane activewear from Australia; restaurants Cini Italian Chow; and the Original Pancake House (first location in Chesterfield Valley).

The project represents 66,000 square feet of workable space. Much of it is in the old Wild Oats Market location which left years ago.

DESCO is proud to have brought this center back to life. “This is a unique mix of boutique retail and restaurants. This is a great amenity for the community and our shopping centers (Schnucks Ladue Crossing) which is contiguous to the (new bike) trail,” said DESCO President Mark Schnuck.

A new road will cross the bike trail and connect the two centers.

Actually, the MarketPlace is located in both Clayton and Ladue. The line divides right down the middle of the Splash store.

Only real authentic materials have gone into the construction. The roofs are covered with real slate. Brass catch traps adorn the roofs of buildings, preventing snow from dripping onto customers. Entry doors to all establishments feature real brass handles. Copper covers the cupolas on two of the rooftops. A stone retaining wall is being constructed on the southwest corner of the property where a monument sign will mark the location. The center will serve as the eastern entrance to the City of Ladue.

Originally, this was the Lammert Center and fell into deep decline upon the furniture stores departure. An antique mall came into the furniture store location, but too failed over time.

The property will be heavily landscaped both at the street and store front levels. A Chippendale fence will run the length of the property along Ladue Road. The entire parking lot will be rebuilt, once the weather improves. Boxwoods and annuals will be in the planting areas. More spaces are being added to the lot.

DESCO purchased the property from Reliance Bank in September, 2011.

Here is the complete list of tenants and their status:

Frill, home furnishings boutique, lease signed

Ivy Hill Boutique, open

Dominic Michael Salon, high end salon moving from Clayton

Cini Italian Chow, second location for well known restaurant owners

Extra Virgin Oil, relocated from Clayton

Clarkson Eyecare, 50 locations in Missouri & Southern Illinois

The Original Pancake House, second location in St. Louis

Blown Away, hair blow dry bar, open

Dimvaloo Active Living, activewear from Australia, lease signed

Ladue News, society magazine, open

Kinkos FedEx, copy center, open

Southwest Hearing, open

Women's Exchange, dining and boutique, moving from Clay Price Center