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UNIVERSITY CITY, CLAYTON CITY COUNCILS APPROVE
ORCHARD DEVELOPMENT GROUP'S $150 MILLION CLAYTON PROJECT

Project Represents a Unique Transit-Oriented Development Created to Work in Conjunction
with St. Louis' New Cross County MetroLink Extension

 

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 27, 2006…. Orchard Development Group, an established nationwide developer of residential and commercial properties, received final approval this month to proceed with the development of its proposed $150 million mixed-use project located at the corner of Forsyth and Carondelet in Clayton, Mo. The project represents a unique transit-oriented development (TOD) along St. Louis’ newly expanded Cross County MetroLink system, which has a new station located directly across the street from the proposed site. The TOD project is designed to embrace and promote the use of that station by providing residents and commuters a direct link to an active, convenient neighborhood of shops, retail, office and restaurants.

The Clayton Project is a ground-up, mixed-use development featuring approximately 300 condominiums, 18,000 sq. ft. of retail and 30,000 sq. ft. of office.  It will consist of three distinct architectural elements each designed to stand on its own, yet carefully integrated into what will be an exclusive community.  A key design element of the project is a plaza that will offer a gathering place for both the public and private sectors of the neighborhood. The plaza’s colonnade along Forsyth will feature an array of lively and desirable retail and restaurants that will attract Clayton residents as well as those utilizing the new transit station across the street.

The community includes a 26 story, 500,000+ sq. ft. high-rise, a six-story 90,000 sq. ft. mid-rise and a second six-story 140,000 sq.ft. mid-rise.  The 300 condo units will range from small 750 sq. ft, one-bedroom units to spacious, 2,000 sq. ft., three-bedroom penthouses.  Prices will start at $250,000 and range to $1 million +. The office space along Forsyth is designed to attract restaurants and service-oriented retailers requiring 1,000 sq. ft to 7,000 sq. ft.  Residents will have access to a fitness center with a full range of cardio and weight training equipment, an outdoor pool with rooftop deck, indoor parking and extensive public and private outdoor space as well as many other amenities.

The Clayton project, designed by world-renowned architectural firm DeStafano & Partners of Chicago, is being designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards.  Much of the design has focused on creating an environmentally friendly development with substantial public outdoor space, as well as oversized patios and terraces private to homeowners.  As a major player on the national development scene, Orchard Development’s vision is to bring new developments to St. Louis that follow national trends, such as transit-oriented developments and those with environmentally friendly design and construction elements.

Jay Case, president of Orchard Development Group, commented on the projects final approval. “Not unlike most projects of this size and scope, we had to diligently work through the challenges of getting this project approved and provide the City with all the specifics so that they could make an informed decision. The sites dual municipality boundaries made it a little more time intensive but, in the end, both Clayton and University City saw the great potential for the project to be the one of the first of its kind in St. Louis.”

The Clayton Project will bring Orchard’s total real estate investment in St. Louis to $250 million, exemplifying the company’s determination as an out-of-town commercial real estate developer to offer the City of St. Louis an abundance of new, urban lifestyle options.  Orchard has already experienced blowout successes with its other St. Louis projects, including the Annex Lofts, Terra Cotta Lofts, Lafayette Square, Ely Walker Lofts and Red Moon, an eclectic restaurant on the ground level of the Terra Cotta Building.

With more than $800 million in new developments nationwide, Orchard Development Group offers a national perspective on trends and real estate expertise that sets the company apart. The Clayton Project is the second TOD project for the developer. Dry Creek Crossing in Centennial, Col., is an 8.3-acre parcel of undeveloped office park land that Orchard rezoned to build 250 moderately-priced condominiums. Less than a quarter-mile from the light rail station at Dry Creek Road, the project exemplifies “new urbanism” at its best.  

Presales for the Clayton Project will begin in early 2007 with full completion expected in 2009. For more information about Orchard Development Group or any of its projects, call 773.871.9841.

Orchard Development Group, Inc., is an established developer of single and multifamily residences in urban and suburban communities nationwide. The company was founded in 1996 by Jay Case, and his partner, John Vanker, to develop infill-for-sale housing on Chicago’s North Side. Starting with a 15-unit project in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, the company has since expanded into new markets and furthered its mission to identify infill opportunities in evolving markets, including St. Louis, Denver and Las Vegas. 

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