This time next year the Cortex Innovation & Technology District in the Central West End - adjacent to the BJC Medical Center will be greatly expanded in a $170 Million project - internally being called Cortex 3.0.
Construction is set to begin in early spring and will include a new Aloft Hotel - the hip, modern concept from Starwood that will include both a bar and a restaurant. Plus a 1,000 car parking garage which will be hidden behind 200 apartments and with 20,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor. One rumor is that the gym run by BJC, Wellaware, over on Taylor, will be part of the first floor design. Then the new 180,000 square foot tech building is the possible new home for the local Microsoft offices.
At the same time Metro will be working on the new MetroLink station to be located behind the @4240 Building at Boyle - just south of Duncan.
Also don't forget the new restaurant, Vicia, described vegetable-forward, farmer driven, fueled by wood fire, is scheduled to open soon in the newest Cortex addition, the TechShop building located at Forest Park Avenue & Boyle!
Plus recall the recently announced plan from the Lawrence Group for their City Foundry Project to be located on the eastern edge of Cortex - just south of Saint Louis University and across the street from IKEA St. Louis.
Cortex CEO Dennis Lower has repeatedly said this next phase will be the catalyst to making this a new, vibrant corner of the Central West End - thus drawing technology businesses and a technology based workforce.
Work, Play, & Live in Cortex & the Central West End!