New arena to house state-of-the-art collegiate esports and athletics
SAINT LOUIS, MO – APRIL 1, 2022 – Maryville University is proud to announce their partnership with KEAT Properties and Keeley Properties in pursuing a potential redevelopment of Woods Mill Center at 141 and Highway 64. The project is currently in the conceptual phase; plans have been filed with the Town and Country planning commission.
“Maryville is one of the top five fastest growing universities in the country and our commitment to this state-of-the-art facility requires an innovative approach to expansion. In partnership with KEAT and Keeley we’ll be able to achieve our vision for an active living and learning complex,” said Mark Lombardi, PhD, President of Maryville. “Our four-time national champion esports teams are known globally for their success in esports and we are proud to provide them with this first of its kind facility in college esports. The arena will provide fans an opportunity to watch esports competitions as well as basketball, wrestling, and volleyball teams within a tech-forward space.”
Much like Maryville’s successful partnership with Chesterfield Hockey Association on the Maryville Hockey Center, this partnership demonstrates how such facilities drive economic development and provide opportunities for the region’s youth to feel a part of a bigger athletic entity. Maryville believes the Woods Mill Redevelopment Project will create similar synergies for the community.
The goals of the redevelopment are aligned with Town & Country’s 20-Year Comprehensive Plan, which calls for a vibrant and engaged community. The redevelopment will positively impact generations to come – neighbors, students, athletes, and visitors alike.
“The project gives new life to a critical corner in need of revitalization,” said Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies. “This development provides Maryville with the innovative, world class spaces it deserves as one of the fastest growing learning institutions in the country.”
Revitalizing this property will provide Maryville with an educational, athletic, and esports space while keeping with the character and vision of Town & Country. It will foster a sense of place through significant green space, public art, and beautification of streetscapes, with landscape buffers providing ample privacy between the development and neighboring residential homes to the south. Ultimately, this project will deliver both educational and economic opportunities to the region, attracting new businesses and bringing synergistic growth to the surrounding areas.
“This really is one of those dream projects—partnering with a growing, long-term partner in Maryville on a mixed use, infill site. We’re very fortunate to have the opportunity to activate such a prominent corner of our own backyard,” said Jason Braidwood, President of Keeley Properties.
The united development team of KEAT Properties and Keeley Properties has already brought notable projects to the St. Louis region, including CityPlace in Creve Coeur, Centene Plaza in Clayton, The Euclid in Central West End, Chroma in the Grove, Olive and Price Crossing in Olivette, and the Spire and Cupples 9 historic renovations downtown. St. Louis-based JEMA is lead architect on the project. We are also consulting with Populous, a global architectural firm that specializes in sports facilities and arenas.
“We are working closely with Maryville, the city of Town & Country, and MODOT to ensure positive outcomes for all stakeholders. We’ve engaged the neighboring subdivisions through trustees and an open forum meeting to introduce the proposed project, listen to feedback, and build excitement for the opportunity. It’s been incredible to partner with these groups who are as equally committed to forward progress and enhancing the area while taking the needs of the community into account as we are,” said Greg Yawitz, CEO of KEAT Properties.
The vision for the project contemplates a dynamic mixed use development featuring a multipurpose education, athletics, and esports venue seating up to 3,000 people. A separate residence hall will house 400 students and provide 6,000 SF for retail space. Approximately 1,300 parking spaces, most within a structured garage, will support the parking needs of both state-of-the-art facilities. Multiple commercial retail spaces, outdoor plazas, and bike and pedestrian pathways are programmed into the design. In keeping with the goals of Town & Country, the team is actively working with city officials and traffic engineers to improve neighborhood traffic flow while enhancing streetscape and infrastructure.
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of 10,500 students. Maryville offers more than 90 programs at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels to students from 50 states and 56 countries. Among recent graduates, 98 percent are employed or attending graduate school.
About KEAT Properties
KEAT Properties was founded on family. Driven by our mission of enhancing communities with a collaborative spirit, our firm has experience on all sides of the table. Our world-class team not only understands how to negotiate, but we also know how location, costs, access, site feasibility, zoning, politics, and all facets of real estate interplay for your success.
About Keeley Properties
Keeley Properties is a real estate investment, development, and management firm with a legacy of $1+ billion initiatives within 6.5+ million square feet. Our integrated real estate platform improves communities through the built environment and our focus on the customer experience. With a proven track record from predevelopment through stabilization and asset management, our team has expertise in financing, planning and site selection, brokerage, legal, acquisition, zoning, onboarding, and property management. We have an informed understanding of multiple industry sectors including multifamily, mixed use, retail, office, hospitality, industrial, and self storage, as well as asset types including build-to-suit, speculative, ground-up, historic rehab, and adaptive reuse developments. At Keeley Properties, we are powered by our culture of INVESTMENT WITH INTENT. We invest in people and real estate to build relationships and activate communities.
Keeley Properties is powered by Keeley Companies, a family-owned enterprise building communities across the country – one single source for investment, development, management, construction, and restoration.