Rawlings Move Brings Major Redevelopment to Westport Plaza
On Thursday, November 17, 2022, Westport Plaza owner Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM) announced a new major development project for the property. Rawlings Sporting Goods will be relocating their corporate headquarters to Westport Plaza. The company, currently located in Town and Country, MO, primarily specializes in producing baseball gear, and supplies the official baseball, glove, helmet, face guard, and base of Major League Baseball.
Rawlings will occupy 3 floors of the iconic Gold Tower at Westport and plans to develop interactive experiences and museum spaces for fans of the sport to engage in, such as a Baseball Glove Vault, a museum of historic products Rawlings has produced, and more. Their expected move-in date is December 2023. Perhaps the most significant change for Maryland Heights residents will be to our skyline - Rawlings will be installing a 30-foot tall golden glove atop Westport's Gold Tower to celebrate their residency!
A number of other major changes are coming to the area in tandem with the Rawlings announcement. Other new developments include:
In addition to these new changes, there will be a complete renovation of the two Sheraton hotels on the property (Sheraton Westport Chalet and Plaza), and a redevelopment of the common area in the plaza adjacent to the World Wide Technology campus to open up new green space and public stages for outdoor events and activities. In total, the new developments will cost $127 million, all funded by private equity, and are estimated to bring over 300 jobs to Maryland Heights.
Westport Plaza opened in 1971 and quickly became a focal point for business and entertainment throughout the region. Originally, the 42-acre development included shopping, dining, and entertainment venues mixed with office buildings, with the distinctive Gold Tower quickly becoming an area landmark. In 1973, the Sheraton Lakeside Chalet opened on the property, and three years later, its sister hotel, the Sheraton Westport Plaza hotel, opened. This development is the latest chapter in the legacy that Westport has established in Maryland Heights over half a century, and marks a new step in the 135-year history Rawlings has had within the St. Louis area. Rawlings CEO Mike Zlaket noted that the development also further cements St. Louis' rich sports culture, and promises to be a new destination for baseball fans the world over.
"This is a new day in the City of Maryland Heights," said Jim Carver, Director of Economic Development for the City. "It has been a journey to see LHM’s vision for Westport come to life. Westport Plaza has always been the center of the City and for LHM to create a fantastic experience for our residents, businesses, and those visiting Maryland Heights will be an amazing transformation. We in the City are always looking to embrace the future while celebrating our past roots."
Stay updated with this development project (and several other projects) by visiting: www.marylandheights.com/activeprojects.
Rawlings will occupy 3 floors of the iconic Gold Tower at Westport and plans to develop interactive experiences and museum spaces for fans of the sport to engage in, such as a Baseball Glove Vault, a museum of historic products Rawlings has produced, and more. Their expected move-in date is December 2023. Perhaps the most significant change for Maryland Heights residents will be to our skyline - Rawlings will be installing a 30-foot tall golden glove atop Westport's Gold Tower to celebrate their residency!
A number of other major changes are coming to the area in tandem with the Rawlings announcement. Other new developments include:
- The Porter at Westport Plaza: 255 luxury apartments to open in January 2025 (previously detailed in our April-May 2022 Newsletter)
- 360 Westport: A lounge on the 12th floor of the Gold Tower at Westport Plaza will be the sister location of the 360 rooftop bar at the Ballpark Hilton in Downtown St. Louis. 360 Westport will open in December 2023.
- Westport Soda Fountain Express: Classic diner food in an inviting, casual setting will be the focus and the sister location to The Soda Fountain at Union Station, famous for their "Freak Shakes." The restaurant will open in June 2023.
In addition to these new changes, there will be a complete renovation of the two Sheraton hotels on the property (Sheraton Westport Chalet and Plaza), and a redevelopment of the common area in the plaza adjacent to the World Wide Technology campus to open up new green space and public stages for outdoor events and activities. In total, the new developments will cost $127 million, all funded by private equity, and are estimated to bring over 300 jobs to Maryland Heights.
Westport Plaza opened in 1971 and quickly became a focal point for business and entertainment throughout the region. Originally, the 42-acre development included shopping, dining, and entertainment venues mixed with office buildings, with the distinctive Gold Tower quickly becoming an area landmark. In 1973, the Sheraton Lakeside Chalet opened on the property, and three years later, its sister hotel, the Sheraton Westport Plaza hotel, opened. This development is the latest chapter in the legacy that Westport has established in Maryland Heights over half a century, and marks a new step in the 135-year history Rawlings has had within the St. Louis area. Rawlings CEO Mike Zlaket noted that the development also further cements St. Louis' rich sports culture, and promises to be a new destination for baseball fans the world over.
"This is a new day in the City of Maryland Heights," said Jim Carver, Director of Economic Development for the City. "It has been a journey to see LHM’s vision for Westport come to life. Westport Plaza has always been the center of the City and for LHM to create a fantastic experience for our residents, businesses, and those visiting Maryland Heights will be an amazing transformation. We in the City are always looking to embrace the future while celebrating our past roots."
Stay updated with this development project (and several other projects) by visiting: www.marylandheights.com/activeprojects.