New KDG Multifamily Development in Central West End
ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 – KDG is proud to announce its latest multifamily development located in the heart of the Central West End. After delivering 85-unit The Euclid and 235-unit Chroma in 2018, KDG purchased the 1.4-acre property at 4545 Laclede Avenue and began sitework in early September. The development is a seven-story, ground-up, multifamily residential building featuring 205 apartments above a secure parking garage. Unit floor plans are practical and versatile, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms and introducing “micro-units” to the St. Louis market at an average of 386 square feet. KDG President Jason Braidwood remarks that the building's micro-unit designs offer an innovative lifestyle choice for what has become an exceedingly interesting time:
“We had the opportunity to design our interiors while significant cultural changes reshaped how folks live and work. We created micro-units in the 400 square foot range, and then complemented them with a mezzanine floor of flex office space. The result is functional yet affordable spaces for those seeking a class A product in the Central West End.”
KDG is partnering with L. Keeley Construction to bring this development to life. Part of the Keeley Companies, KDG and L. Keeley previously partnered on construction of The Euclid’s second floor conversion to apartments and amenity spaces. This project was completed in August, and KDG plans to partner with L. Keeley on upcoming developments, including Olive Crossing and Cortex K.
“This is what I love to call the Power of One,” said Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies. “Our construction company and development company coming together to create an amazing project for one of our favorite neighborhoods.”
Local architect Chris Cedergreen led the design effort with Lamar Johnson Collaborative serving as architect of record and interior designer. Inspired by the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, the architecture is classical with a modern aesthetic and eclectic spirit. The building’s façade incorporates painted brick masonry with custom wrought iron, filigree, and wood elements. The building form and materials reinforce the context of the surrounding neighborhood and scales down to street-level with European garden-style landscaping in a lush courtyard at the entrance. The interiors will reflect the same authenticity and timelessness as the exterior design. Bold colors, patterning, and sculptural fittings will add richness and texture, marked by graphics and artwork that evoke curiosity, whimsy, and interest.
KDG chose the Central West End for its new, highly amenitized community due to the neighborhood's multiple places to work, exercise, gather, relax, and entertain. The development will complement the CWE by offering a full suite of amenities, including a hearth room, curated gallery wall, club lounge, pool terrace, outdoor grilling island, fitness studio, yoga studio, golfing green, and a first of its kind flex office mezzanine. The space will feature individual and collaborative workspaces and “Zoom” meeting spaces for residents to create and produce outside of their residence.
“We were seeing this trend well before COVID,” said Braidwood. “Our residents require flexible work-from-home environments as secure as they are collaborative and communal. The property will be industry-leading in this regard."
“It’s no mystery that tech and connectivity are prioritized by today’s renter,” added KDG Vice President of Property Management Julie Panagos. “With the Keeley team behind us, I like our odds to deliver the fastest, most connectivity in St. Louis.”
Along with developing the property, KDG will lease the building through its in-house property management team. The team’s property management portfolio includes The Euclid, Clayton on the Park, Chroma, and Hue, opening late 2020. Braidwood shared his excitement to open, lease-up, and manage this project:
“Our team was best-in-class upon opening The Euclid and Chroma three years ago, but the culture and systems implemented through the Keeley-Koman merger have made us that much stronger. Combine that with this building’s location and amenities and you have what I think will be the premier residential community in St. Louis.”
About KDG
KDG is a merger of Koman Group and Keeley Development Group, one firm dedicated to your firm’s real estate investment needs. Blending Koman’s legacy of real estate ingenuity, Keeley’s world-class culture & resources, and our joint passion for investment with intent – KDG accelerates growth and opportunity for our people, our partners, and our region. As a fully integrated developer and owner, KDG has a proven track record of more than $1 billion in real estate initiatives within more than 6.5 million square feet of commercial and residential space in the greater St. Louis region. Our portfolio includes build-to-suit class A corporate campuses and multitenant office spaces, infill developments, mixed-use environments, and multifamily and student housing.