From staff reports; photos by Christian Gooden
After a ceremonial kickoff to the Chesterfield Mall demolition in October, the heavy equipment got to work tearing down the building this week.
“Game on!” said Michael Staenberg, president and owner of The Staenberg Group, which is tearing down the defunct mall to create a “downtown” Chesterfield project, a $2 billion investment which will build apartments, restaurants, businesses, retail, a park, bike trail and pedestrian pathways.
The demolition work is expected to take until spring. Planners don’t expect any residential buildings to open at the site until 2028.
The Staenburg Group is also behind Chesterfield Valley Square and The District. The developer acquired the Chesterfield Mall in 2020. In 2022, Chesterfield City Council approved $353 million in tax increment financing meant to go toward paying for new infrastructure at the mall site and nearby areas.
Page names St. Louis County prosecutor, bucks Bailey suit to block move
Missouri lawmaker wants to put a bounty on migrants in country illegally
New approach may be needed for Cardinals’ Jordan Walker to reach potential
BenFred: The Cardinals are shopping Nolan Arenado, and no one is freaking out
Powerful St. Louis personnel director facing disciplinary charges, hearing
St. Louis restaurant openings and closings: November 2024
Buyer was promised ‘quality’ apartments in St. Peters. It found mold, rot, suit says
Amid backlash, insurer shelves plan to limit anesthesia coverage in Missouri
Two more managers leave St. Louis Public Schools amid leadership turnover
Lufthansa wants to add St. Louis-to-Frankfurt flights. But it needs more planes.
Funeral for CBC hockey player draws crowd. ‘God apparently needs a star right defenseman.’
Cardinals continue collecting depth with minor moves, sign former Rockies 2nd-round pick
E. coli cases genetically linked to Andre’s and national outbreak, St. Louis County says
Have the Kansas City Chiefs really surpassed Cardinals in St. Louis popularity? Media Views
St. Louis tower, once a ‘monstrosity,’ is now downtown’s top office
Heavy machinery carries debris near the former Macy’s department store on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, during demolition of the former Chesterfield Mall.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
A section of Chesterfield Mall between Dillards and Macy’s department stores is seen as demolition continues on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, by Spirtas.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Workers with Spirtas demolition company prepare a piece of heavy machinery on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, during the early phases of heavy demolition of Chesterfield Mall.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Heavy machinery used to pick apart buildings passes by the former Macy’s department store on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, as workers conduct demolition of Chesterfield Mall.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
A worker with Spirtas Worldwide demolition company climbs into his excavator on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, during the demolition of Chesterfield Mall.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
A worker with Spirtas demolition company walks through rubble on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, to get to an excavator as demolition on Chesterfield Mall continues.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Workers with Spirtas Worldwide demolition company use heavy machinery on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, to demolish Chesterfield Mall.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
The sign of Chesterfield Mall is torn down on Oct. 15, 2024 as The Staenberg Group begins its plan to create a downtown concept with residential areas, shopping and parks in the plot. Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
Downtown. Town Center. A village. St. Louis suburbs are building walkable projects
Chesterfield Mall demolition kicks off
Chesterfield Mall is coming down, a new ‘downtown’ is going up. Here’s what we know.
In photos: The rise and fall of Chesterfield Mall
The entry sign to the Chesterfield Mall, near the old Cheesecake Factory, is demolished as workers take down the ceremonial first piece of the mall on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Chesterfield resident Tricia Capps and her children watch from outside the fences as the ceremonial beginning of demolition happens at the old Chesterfield Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. “They all love construction sites, especially excavators,” said Capps. “My husband grew up going to the mall. He said it’s bittersweet to see it go.”
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
A rendering of the new Downtown Chesterfield development is posted near fencing that blocks access to the Chesterfield Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Demolition of the mall is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
AMC Theaters’ location in Chesterfield Mall is closed to the public on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Tenants of the mall were told to vacate by August by landlord The Staenberg Group.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Abdullah Kuziez, left, Ilias Bouchibti and Mohammed Kuziez prepare to have their photo taken standing inside the old Polo Ralph Lauren display in the shuttered Chesterfield Mall Macy’s on Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday, April 21, 2023. Thousands of area Muslims filled the empty store for a final Eid prayer.
Robert Cohen Post-Dispatch
Muslim women pray in the old women’s activewear area of an empty Macy’s at the Chesterfield Mall on Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday, April 21, 2023. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Workers remove the star from the exterior of Macy’s on Nov. 14, 2022, at Chesterfield Mall. It was the last major department store at the shopping center.
Jordan Opp, Post-Dispatch
Men play a game of pickleball in the old food court area of the Chesterfield Mall on Sunday, May 16, 2021. The Arch Badminton Center has filled much of the first floor public spaces with badminton and pickleball courts, rented out by the hour on the company’s app.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Badminton players are reflected in the windows of a shuttered store at the Chesterfield Mall on Sunday, May 16, 2021. The Arch Badminton Center has filled much of the first floor public spaces with badminton and pickleball courts, rented out by the hour on the company’s app.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
The service and appliance pickup side of a shuttered Sears department store is photographed on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, outside Chesterfield Mall. In May 2018, Sears closed two area locations, at Chesterfield Mall, and South County Center.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Shoppers make their way around Chesterfield Mall on Friday, March 4, 2016 in Chesterfield.
Huy Mach, Post-Dispatch
A third floor water leak pools in the lower entrance to Dillard’s at the Chesterfield Mall after it was closed on Sept. 7, 2016
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Gracie Koch, 3, of Marthasville, Mo., sizes up Santa Claus as she stands in line to have her picture taken at the Chesterfield Mall on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. After a brief hesitation by her sister Claire, 4, the Koch girls had their photo taken by workers at Cherry Hill Photo.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Protesters stage a die-in at center court of the Chesterfield Mall on Black Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, where they stayed put for 4 and-a-half minutes, representing the more than 4 hours that Michael Brown’s body was lying in the street after he was killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Customers pay for their purchases at Old Navy in the Chesterfield Mall during Black Friday shopping on Nov. 29, 2013.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
Carrying both her American Girl Dolls, Julie and Emily, Sydney O’Brien, of Affton, explores the American Girl store Wednesday, April 18 , 2012, in Chesterfield. “My mom told me we had to go to the doctor’s but she surprised me and we came here,” said a very happy O’Brien.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
A customer enters the Bakers shoe store in Chesterfield Mall on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, on the first day of a liquidation sale at that location as the footwear chain undergoes bankruptcy.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
“It’s the only series of books I have ever read. They are that good,” said Alex Haueisen, 16, of Town and Country, who dressed as “Draco Malfoy” for the midnight show of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” at the AMC Chesterfield 14 at Chesterfield Mall on Thursday night, July 14, 2011. AMC installed their first IMAX-3D screen at the theatre. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” is the first film to be shown there in the IMAX 3-D.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
Workers prep the new Bam! store in Chesterfield Mall, on June 16, 2011. New retailers such as Bam! are moving into spaces once occupied by “big box” retailers, in this case a Borders bookstore.
Erik M. Lunsford, Post-Dispatch
The business news you need
Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.