DESCO to Appeal Sign Ordinance Ruling This Afternoon

Dispute is over the size of signs at the Colonial MarketPlace in Ladue.

The DESCO Group will be before the Ladue Zoning Board of Adjustment today in City Hall at 4 p.m. appealing the ordinance on the size of signs above their stores. Ladue's ordinance calls for a maximum of 12 feet; DESCO wants uniform sizes of 24 feet. The issue is over the size of the backdrop of the signs. DESCO's signs are 12 feet for each tenant in the new center, but a shaded background, highlighting those names is under dispute. Presently, an array of temporary signs are marking the tenant locations at the MarketPlace. AT the ZBA meeting, Summers Compton Wells PC, a full service law firm at 8909 Ladue Rd. is requesting relief from the Building Offical who declined to issue an ordinanance to relocate the parking lot entrance for the …

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The Baer Facts

Colonial MarketPlace: A Showcase for Ladue

Rebirth of a center will bring significant impact to the community at large.

Give me a “D,” give me an “E,” give me an “S,”.... Sounds really silly calling on a high school cheer for a property development corporation. But let’s give credit where credit is due. DESCO Properties, developer of Schnucks Markets throughout the Midwest is putting the cherry on the topping of one of the most beautiful and purposeful shopping centers anywhere in the region. The Colonial MarketPlace in Ladue (and part of Clayton) serves as a front-door entrance to the city. The shabby Lammert’s Center, home of long-gone Wild Oats Market and other failed projects are a mere fleeting memory. And the pieces fell into place so fast. DESCO bought this foreclosed property from the bank, pumping new life into the center for a first-class shopping…

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Ladue & DESCO Disagree Over Size of Signs

Developer will appear before the Ladue Zoning Board May 6 for Relief.

The Colonial MarketPlace in Ladue is nearly 80 percent occupied. The parking lot is striped and finished. Flowers and fences are in place. One thing is missing: the signs above the store doors. Seems that the developers the DESCO Group wants to put in 25-foot signs and the Ladue ordinance calls for 12 foot maximums. The matter will be discussed at the next Ladue Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) at city hall on Monday, May 6 at 4 p.m. At that time, both sides will state their cases and a decision will be expected to be made. "They are asking for a varience to this ordinance, that's it," said Ladue's Administrator Mike Woolridge. "As part of our rebranding of Colonial Marketplace (CMP), we would like a consistent sign package for all our …

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James Baer

2:10 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

That is strictly a temporary sign until this issue is settled to everyone's satisfaction.   more ›

Colonial MarketPlace is Headed for the Home Stretch

66,000 square foot center in both Ladue & Clayton features a distinct Williamsburg design.

The Colonial MarketPlace in both Ladue and Clayton is on a fast track to a construction finish. Everything should be completed by mid to late spring. Already, tenants are moving in and open for business. The DESCO Group project has already welcomed Blown Away, a hair dry bar created by two native St. Louisans; Ivy Hill Boutique, stylish women’s clothes with its first location in the Central West End; Southwest Hearing, FedEx Kinkos; Ladue News Headquarters and Splash casual clothing which relocated last summer from the Galleria. The center is 75 percent leased with many interested parties seeking the final spaces. Leases have been signed and build out is well underway for Dimvaloo Active Living, Lorna Jane activewear from Australia; …

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View Finder

Construction Well Underway at the Colonial MarketPlace in Ladue

DESCO is busy signing new tenants to their center at Ladue and Gay avenues.

The Colonial MarketPlace, being rebuilt by the DESCO Group is a literal bee hive of activity. Brick work is going up; new cupolas are being added to the roof tops; new construction is everywhere. Stores, Blown Away, Splash, the Ladue News and FedEx/Kinkos will have new neighbors shortly. A drive will connect the property to DESCOs Shops at Ladue Crossing directly to the west, anchored by the Schnucks grocery store. Cini Restaurant is a new tenant; along with several shops and boutiques and stores relocating from the Central West End. Word is, the Women's Exchange at the Clay Price Center in Ladue will relocate to the Colonial MarketPlace after many years in their present location. The center is partially located in the city of Clayton.

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The Colonial MarketPlace Takes One More Step Forward

Center looks for shared parking; Cini Restaurant seeks a liquor license.

The project by DESCO to develop the Colonial MarketPlace at Gay Avenue and Ladue Road at the city limits with Clayton is inching along. Officials of DESCO will appear before the Ladue City Council on Monday September 17, 4 p.m. to request a special use permit to allow joint parking at the MarketPlace at 8611 Ladue Road. The Zoning & Planning board recommended approval at their last meeting. At the same time, Cini Italian Restaurant is requesting a special use permit for liquor by the drink including Sunday sales and outdoor dining. They will be one of two restaurants planned for the development. At the same meeting, officials of MICDS are requesting an amendment to their special use permit for the relocation of a baseball scoreboard on …

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Colonial MarketPlace: The Big Story of the Week

Announcement by DESCO has the whole City of Ladue buzzing.

DESCO officials, developers for Schnuck's Markets layed their plans on the table to develop the Colonial MarketPlace in Ladue before the Ladue City Council. Everyone was all ears to this project which is divided between Ladue and Clayton and bonds will be sold by St. Louis County. Naturally, this was Ladue;s big story of the week. If all goes according to schedule, Ladue-ites and others in the area will be able to enjoy pancakes and sausage in the morning and fine Italian dining in the evening at the newly-proposed Colonial Marketplace at 8811 Ladue Rd. Once permits are approved, construction can be completed in 5-6 months. Everyone in the area knows the location all too well. Mark Schnuck, President of NAI DESCO, the developing arm of …

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First Reactions Very Favorable to the New Colonial MarketPlace in Ladue

DESCO is putting in a thoughtful project to bring new vitality to the old Lammert's Center. Take the poll and leave your comments too.

The new Colonial MarketPlace development by the DESCO group is getting reaction that is off the charts already. Some 300 readers have reviewed yesterday’s council meeting story as of early yesterday morning. Obviously, Ladue and Clayton residents will be excited to see new life and vitality come to the location on Ladue Road at Gay Avenue. Exciting new restaurants, unique boutiques, coffee shop and alike will be adding to the tenant list on this 86,000 square foot piece of property.  For those reacting, it has been very positive. Patch is working on follow up stories to the initial article. Please take a moment to tell us in the comments section below what you would like to see specifically in the center? Present tenants the Ladue News …

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James Baer

8:55 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ladue definitely will enjoy more selections in breakfast and dinner opportunities. These places will do well.   more ›

Big Step Forward by Colonial Marketplace in Ladue

DESCO Proposes Community Improvement District for grand plans along Ladue Road.

If all goes according to schedule, Ladue-ites and others in the area will be able to enjoy pancakes and sausage in the morning and fine Italian dining in the evening at the newly-proposed Colonial Marketplace at 8811 Ladue Rd. Once permits are approved, construction can be completed in 5-6 months. Everyone in the area knows the location all too well. Mark Schnuck, President of NAI DESCO, the developing arm of Schnucks Markets calls the location “shabby,” -- the location is something that soon will go from shabby to chic. Schnuck and his development team put this 68,000 square foot project on the dais of the Ladue City Council for their approval. The council and mayor lapped it up. “I remember when Bettendorf’s (Meats) used to have a store …

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