More luxury apartments proposed for Clayton

A developer is proposing a $55 million project of 230 luxury apartments and retail space next to Brown Shoe Co.s headquarters in downtown Clayton.

The plan by Covington Development is the latest proposal of a major residential development in the area.

Covingtons project, called Clayton Vanguard, has two levels of garage parking for 355 vehicles and five floors of apartments on 2.5 acres at 8500 Maryland Avenue.

A vacant two-story office building is on the site. Brown Shoe owns the building, erected in 1975, and the adjacent parking lot. Brian Kennedy, a partner at Covingtons office in Clayton, said Tuesday the company has the site under contract.

Covington hopes to begin construction by the middle of next year and complete the project in 2017. Kennedy said the downtown Clayton location, proximity to Clayton High School and Shaw Park, plus nearness to Interstate 170 will help Vanguard attract tenants.

We feel theres a strong need for new luxury rental housing, he said.

Covingtons other apartment developments in the St. Louis area include Vanguard Creve Coeur and Vanguard Crossing in University City. Covington Development, based in Clayton, is the development division of Covington Realty Partners of Chicago.

This spring, the company dropped plans for a 14-story apartment building at 4490 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis, after it was unable to get tax abatement from the city for the $50 million project. Kennedy said Vanguard Clayton is not a substitute for the project in the city.

This is really an independent project weve been working on for a while, he said.

Claytons Architectural Review Board is scheduled to consider the Vanguard project at its meeting Monday. Covington is proposing an exterior of red and buff brick with stucco accents.

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More luxury apartments proposed for Clayton