The long-vacant former 7-UP HQ at 121 S. Meramec and the next door vacant parcel are rumored to be redeveloped by developer KDG in the coming months according to Clayton officials.
The office mid rise has been owned and maintained by St. Louis County for several years, however, STL Partnership issued an RFP early this year to developers. The building is likely to be replaced completely due to its age and general condition, having been constructed in 1964, according to sources close to the development. The parcel of land used to host a smaller office building, but was razed in 2014. You can still find evidence of its existence if you look closely at the remaining tower. On its Northern edge, visible in the photo below, you can see what remains of an elevated walkway with a door leading nowhere.
KDG has been eyeing this site for years, as first reported by NextSTL in 2014. At the time, the Koman group planned a residential conversion for the larger of the two buildings. Koman merged with Keeley Development Group this year, and owns the residential tower in the background, Clayton on the Park.
This would not be KDG’s first planned residential conversion on an old structure. Earlier this ear, KDG announced they would rehab 1500 S. Grand according to the St. Louis Business Journal. They purchased the structure and two adjoining properties from SSM Health for $1.1 million, taking on a significant project as the midrise is in fairly rough visual shape.
KDG owns and operates several other high profile buildings around the St. Louis area, including Chroma Phase 1 and 2, The Euclid, Clayton on the Park, and the soon-to-be 4545 Laclede, Olive Crossing, and Cortex K developments.
