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Dawn of a New Downtown
In a significant milestone for Downtown St. Louis, Gateway Arch Park Foundation — a Greater St. Louis, Inc. Chair's Council Investor — has officially closed on the purchase of the 4.2-acre Millennium Hotel property and has taken possession of the site. After a years-long effort to return the property to active civic use, the Foundation announced earlier this year that it had selected The Cordish Companies to redevelop the site, planning a $670 million mixed-use redevelopment that will include 1.3 million square feet of residential, office, commercial, and cultural spaces — and change the shape of Downtown St. Louis.
The monumental project advances the Foundation’s mission, said Ryan McClure, Executive Director: “to help Gateway Arch National Park and surrounding areas in Downtown St. Louis thrive and to reconnect our city with our riverfront… When we work together, St. Louis reaches its greatest potential.”
The Bottom Line: This milestone marks a major step toward revitalizing a key Downtown site that has stood vacant since 2014. And it brings us all closer to restoring the core of our region, a priority goal in theSTL 2030 Jobs Plan.
“Today’s closing is a significant moment for Downtown St. Louis and our region’s national image,” said Dustin Allison, Interim CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Transforming this site into a destination that celebrates our location and our people is a major step forward. It’s the kind of catalytic progress that will usher in a new era for St. Louis.”
Dave Peacock, a veteran executive who spent much of his career leading Anheuser-Busch and Schnuck Markets, Inc., among others, defied expectations in 2024 when he moved the headquarters of his latest venture, Advantage Solutions, from California to St. Louis. At the time, he called St. Louis “one of the great cities in the U.S.,” its talent, affordability, and central location ideal assets for a growing company. Just one year later, AdAge has ranked the marketing technology firm — an executive-level GSL investor — as one of the top 10 agencies in North America and one of the top 25 in the world.
The Bottom Line: Advantage Solutions’ success defies the conventional wisdom that global companies had to be on the coasts to thrive. Affordability, a high quality of life, and a highly educated, well-trained workforce make St. Louis a place where businesses large and small can thrive.
“St. Louis Is an Incredible Arts and Culture City”
Min Jung Kim recently hosted more than 100 art museum directors from around North America at the Saint Louis Art Museum, where she serves as Director. All of them, she said during a recent interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch Publisher Ian Caso, were impressed, not just by what she calls SLAM’s “world-class collection,” but by the community as well. Kim herself continues to be impressed by the quality of St. Louis’ collaborative arts and cultural landscape.
“To see this museum in this place, situated in Forest Park, situated in the context of St. Louis, there was not a doubt in my mind that this is truly the only place I wanted to be and could be,” she said. “If anything, my respect and admiration for the Saint Louis Art Museum and St. Louis has really only increased.
The Bottom Line: The Saint Louis Art Museum — a GSL Investor Council member — is just one of innumerable proof points that recognize St. Louis as a world-class place to live and work. And each of us, Kim believes, can serve as an ambassador, using these points to advance a constructive narrative. “I would like all of us to focus on projecting a continued and positive story of St. Louis,” said Kim. “If each of us individually do our part, that continues to contribute to this very, very positive and exciting story about St. Louis, hopefully more will get to know how extraordinary this place is.”
Bunge, an executive-level GSL investor that moved its headquarters to the St. Louis region nearly five years ago, has completed an $8.2 billion acquisition of Netherlands firm Viterra Ltd. The move makes the company a global agribusiness solutions powerhouse, increasing its employees worldwide from 23,000 to 37,000. (St. Louis Business Journal)
Sentio Announces $10.6M Expansion
Drug manufacturer Sentio BioSciences is expanding. The company will invest $10.6 million in an 8,500-square-foot manufacturing space scheduled to open in 2026, creating 58 new jobs. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Beautiful Music
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra — a GSL Investor Council member — and the Fabulous Fox have raised more than $350,000 in a partnership that benefits the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Disaster Relief Fund, supporting the most immediate needs of people displaced or impacted in north St. Louis after the May 16 tornado. A joint benefit concert included the SLSO and its IN UNISON Chorus at the Fox. Contribute to these efforts.
