"During the early stage of the mall redevelopment, it became clear that the city did not simply want 'a set of stairs and utilitarian switchbacks,'" Chesterfield Public Works Director James Eckrich told West Newsmagazine this year. "Instead, the city desires a unique, iconic pedestrian link between the former mall site and Central Park."
That link is the "grand entry." It covers about 3.89 acres at 16301 West Chesterfield Parkway, between Park Circle Drive and the proposed Downtown Chesterfield Boulevard. The city, not the developer, is managing its design. The rest of the former Chesterfield Mall site is still being graded, so the hillside is the part of Downtown Chesterfield that residents can weigh in on right now. Most of what is still undecided comes down to one stretch of road: how people on foot will get across Chesterfield Parkway.
The Mall Site Is in Its Dirt Phase Until Spring 2027
According to The Staenberg Group's own project timeline, crews demolished the mall from October 2024 through August 2025 and recycled about 95% of the materials. The next phase is underground and flat. Tim Lowe, TSG's vice president of leasing and development, said work is continuing on utilities, roads, parks and bike paths. West Newsmagazine's September coverage reports that infrastructure and grading should continue until spring 2027, when vertical construction is expected to begin.
TSG says it is closing with developers. Some have signed, others are still negotiating, and none have been named publicly. The first phase is expected to bring roughly 800 to 1,000 residential units. Lowe described the pacing plainly: "We've got to have a good phase 1. You can't flood the market too much at one time."
The finished project is planned as a mix of residential, hotel, restaurant, entertainment, office and community space. TSG's August 2025 timeline listed 2029 as the year for the first "potential" move-ins. That date came before the current grading schedule was announced, so treat it as an early target.
Shops and restaurants at the old mall site are still years away. The hillside is not, and it runs on a different track.
How the Hillside Became a City Project
The grand entry is set up differently from the rest of the redevelopment. TSG donated the roughly 3.9-acre site and paid $300,000 toward its design. In return, the city coordinates both design and construction.
On June 15, the City Council approved a contract with LJC Design & Engineering for up to $140,000. That figure is a $126,500 negotiated fee plus a contingency. The work is phase one, which the city calls the Character Plan, and it is paid from a deposit TSG made earlier under the development agreement. Eckrich called it "a multi-approval process." Phase one produces a concept and a cost estimate, and detailed design does not begin until phase two.
The design has to handle a steep site. The grand entry climbs about 48 feet between Central Park and the former mall grounds. Every option shown so far uses stairs, an accessible ramp with switchbacks and a path through the grass.
What the Price Tags Have Said So Far
The city has presented the design twice, and the numbers were framed differently each time.
| Meeting | What was presented | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 18 special City Council meeting | Option 1: nature or sculpture-garden stroll along the straight edge of the site | $5.1 million |
| Aug. 18 special City Council meeting | Option 2: flexible event space, modular retaining walls, two circular accessible paths | $7.9 million |
| Aug. 18 special City Council meeting | Bridge over Chesterfield Parkway, now or later, with either option | About $5 million more |
| Sept. 24 open house at City Hall | At-grade crossing at an improved, marked crosswalk | $5.1 million |
| Sept. 24 open house at City Hall | Pedestrian bridge over Chesterfield Parkway | $10.1 million |
At the Aug. 18 meeting, Chip Crawford and Tim Buescher of Kanopi Gap presented the two layouts. Council members generally agreed on Option 1, but no vote was taken.
The September figures line up with that August preference. Option 1 at $5.1 million plus a roughly $5 million bridge comes to about $10.1 million. Option 1 with a crosswalk stays at $5.1 million. The September coverage does not spell out that math, but the totals match. Once the layout is settled, the main open question is the crossing, and the gap between the two choices is about $5 million.
Why the Crossing Is the Decision That Matters
The at-grade option is limited by state rules. Assistant City Engineer Zachary Wolff said a crosswalk could use Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons. A full traffic signal is unlikely, he said, because the Missouri Department of Transportation would not allow one so close to the existing signal at Lydia Hill Road.
So the cheaper option is a marked crosswalk with flashing beacons, not a signalized intersection. The more expensive option lets pedestrians cross "without encountering vehicular traffic."
The number of people using that crossing is expected to grow. Parks, Recreation and Arts Director Wayne Dunker said new projects such as the Villas at Downtown Chesterfield will increase the number of people living nearby. With 800 to 1,000 homes planned for the first phase alone, a crossing designed for today's foot traffic will soon be serving many more people.
In August, the bridge was described as something that could be built "either right away or incorporated as a future component." That keeps a middle path open: start with the crosswalk and leave room to add the bridge later.
The open house also asked about planting. One option is a layered garden of native and adapted plants, which the designers described as offering "seasonal color, habitat value and an immersive" experience. The other is a flexible lawn with planted edges for informal recreation, gatherings and clear views across the site.
"We want this space to become a memorable part of Chesterfield. Community feedback will help shape its design, character and experience." James Eckrich, Chesterfield Public Works Director
What Has Not Been Decided Yet
As of early October 2026, the public reporting leaves several things unsettled:
- A design vote. The council leaned toward Option 1 on Aug. 18 but did not vote, and no date has been reported for choosing a final design.
- Construction funding. TSG paid $300,000 for design. The coverage so far does not say how the $5.1 million to $10.1 million build would be paid for.
- A construction schedule. The coverage gives no start or completion date for the grand entry.
- Ongoing feedback. The city said it wanted input on the site's character, activities and the connection to Central Park. The coverage does not say whether a comment period is still open. For the current status, City Hall and Public Works are the places to ask.
Each of these will come back to a public meeting before anything is built, because phase two detailed design has not started yet.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield's New Openings Are Going Into Existing Centers
Downtown Chesterfield's restaurant space depends on vertical construction that is expected to start in spring 2027. In the meantime, this year's new Chesterfield openings have gone into shopping centers that are already open.
- Dolce Napoli opened Sept. 2 at 17089 N. Outer 40 Road in The District, close to Napoli Bros. Pizza and Pasta. St. Louis Magazine reports that the Napoli Group concept, run by pastry chef Meaghan Coltrain, serves gelato, Italian pastries and sandwiches on house-made bread. It also serves as the commissary for the group's six restaurants.
- Marble Slab Creamery held a soft opening Aug. 20 at 128 Hilltown Village Center, and Sauce Magazine covered its return to the St. Louis area in September.
- Hanjo's Smashed Burgers at 41 Forum Shopping Center appeared on St. Louis Public Radio's July 2026 openings list.
- Yummy Bowl Mongolian Stir Fry & Sushi is expected in late 2026 in the former Red Robin at 17308 Chesterfield Airport Road.
The next public milestone at the old mall site is likely the grand entry design vote, and it will probably come well before the first building goes up.
If you own a home near Central Park and want to know how the Downtown Chesterfield timeline could affect your plans over the next few years, The Monschein Team is glad to walk through it with you. Request a complimentary home consultation and personalized market plan, and we will keep you updated as the grand entry moves through its approvals.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your situation.
