Market Profile
St. Louis City
Office • Retail • Mixed-Use • Multifamily • Industrial
Market Overview
The Heart of St. Louis Commerce
St. Louis City is the urban core of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area, encompassing Downtown, the Central West End, Midtown, the Cortex Innovation Community, and dozens of distinctive neighborhoods. As an independent city, it serves as the region's center for business, healthcare, education, and culture.
The city has experienced a significant renaissance in recent years, driven by billions in new development including the NGA West campus, the expansion of the Cortex Innovation District, and major mixed-use projects along the MetroLink corridor. Healthcare and higher education anchor the economy, with BJC HealthCare, Washington University, and Saint Louis University collectively employing tens of thousands.
Commercial real estate investors benefit from strong fundamentals: competitive pricing relative to coastal markets, robust institutional demand, and transformative public-private partnerships driving long-term value creation.
Market Intelligence
Current Trends & Insights
St. Louis City's commercial market is in a period of transformation. Downtown office space is being repositioned and converted, while Midtown and the Central West End continue to attract premium tenants. The Cortex Innovation Community — a 200-acre tech and innovation hub — has brought over $750M in investment and created thousands of jobs.
Industrial demand remains strong, particularly for last-mile logistics facilities serving the urban core. Multifamily development continues at pace, with Class A rents climbing as young professionals are drawn to the city's revitalized neighborhoods.
Investment Thesis
Opportunities
- —Office-to-residential conversions in Downtown and Midtown
- —Medical office development near BJC/WashU Medical Campus
- —Mixed-use retail along the Delmar Loop and Cherokee Street
- —Last-mile industrial and distribution facilities
- —Adaptive reuse of historic warehouse stock in Soulard and LaSalle Park
- —Multifamily development near MetroLink stations
- —NGA West-adjacent commercial development in North City
Key Districts
Commercial Neighborhoods
Downtown / CBD
Class A office towers, convention center, sports venues, and the Gateway Arch. Undergoing significant residential conversion.
Central West End
Premier medical corridor anchored by Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Medical Campus. High-end retail and dining.
Cortex / Midtown
200-acre innovation district with tech startups, biotech firms, and corporate R&D. Home to Microsoft, Square, and Centene.
North City / NGA
Transforming with the $1.7B National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency headquarters, catalyzing commercial development.
Soulard / LaSalle Park
Historic neighborhoods with adaptive reuse opportunities, Anheuser-Busch brewery, and a vibrant restaurant scene.
Grand Center
St. Louis's arts and entertainment district featuring the Fox Theatre, Sheldon Concert Hall, and contemporary art galleries.
South City
Tower Grove, Dutchtown, Bevo — diverse neighborhoods with neighborhood retail, affordable commercial space, and growth potential.
Forest Park Southeast
The Grove entertainment district, proximity to Forest Park, and a mix of creative office and retail driving demand.
The Hill / Southwest
Iconic Italian neighborhood with established small businesses, neighborhood retail, and strong community identity.
By The Numbers
Demographics & Workforce
Connectivity
Transportation & Access
St. Louis City sits at the nexus of America's interstate highway system, with unmatched multimodal logistics access including river, rail, road, and air.
- —Interstate convergence: I-44, I-55, I-64, I-70
- —St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) — 15 minutes
- —MetroLink light rail — 2 lines, 37 stations across the metro
- —Metro Transit bus system — extensive urban coverage
- —Amtrak hub at Gateway Station — connections to Chicago, KC, Dallas
- —Mississippi River port facilities — barge access to Gulf
- —6 Class I railroads serving the metro area
Economic Drivers
Major Employers
Explore Opportunities in St. Louis City
From Downtown office repositioning to Cortex innovation space, our team has deep expertise across every St. Louis City submarket.
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