5 Towering Facts About Metropolitan Square Building St. Louis: The Unshakeable King Of The Skyline
As of December 2025, the Metropolitan Square Building, officially known as One Metropolitan Square, remains the undisputed king of the St. Louis skyline. This iconic 42-story skyscraper, completed in 1989, stands as a testament to modern architectural ambition and continues to play a critical role in the downtown St. Louis commercial real estate market.
Despite the challenges facing many urban office towers, recent financial and tenancy news confirms the building's stability, with owners successfully restructuring its debt to ensure its continued prominence. The building's prime location and superior design by HOK have helped it maintain a strong occupancy rate, distinguishing it from other commercial properties in the region.
The Metropolitan Square Building: A Profile in Steel and Granite
The Metropolitan Square Building is more than just an office tower; it is a landmark that defines the St. Louis cityscape. Its distinctive granite facade and copper roofing make it instantly recognizable, a signature piece of architecture that blends classic materials with a modern, towering form.
- Official Name: One Metropolitan Square (often called Met Square)
- Location: 211 N. Broadway, Downtown St. Louis, Missouri
- Status: Completed
- Year Built: 1989
- Height: 180.7 meters (593 feet)
- Floors: 42 stories
- Architect: HOK (Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum)
- Primary Use: Commercial Office Space
- Significance: Tallest building in St. Louis, MO
- Major Tenants: Bryan Cave, Evans & Dixon, Bi-State Development Agency, Greater St. Louis Inc.
The building’s construction marked a significant moment for the city, replacing the former St. Louis Post-Dispatch building and setting a new standard for high-rise development in the region. Its address at 211 N. Broadway places it in the heart of the central business district, offering tenants unparalleled access to the city’s major corporate and civic centers.
1. It Holds the Title as St. Louis' Tallest Structure
The most famous fact about One Metropolitan Square is its height. At 593 feet (180.7 meters), it is officially the tallest building in the city of St. Louis. This makes it a critical part of the St. Louis skyline, visible from miles around, and a point of pride for the city’s residents.
While it is the tallest in St. Louis, it is the second-tallest in the entire state of Missouri, surpassed only by One Kansas City Place in Kansas City. The difference in height is marginal, at only about 31 feet, solidifying its status as one of the Midwest's most substantial skyscrapers. Its 42 stories of commercial office space offer spectacular, panoramic views of the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch, and the entire metropolitan area.
The Architectural Vision of HOK
The design firm HOK (Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum), a global architecture giant with deep roots in St. Louis, was responsible for the building's look. HOK created a distinctive design featuring a granite facade and a prominent copper-clad pyramid on top, giving the structure a unique crown. This architectural choice ensures the building stands out, even among newer, sleeker designs. The combination of materials gives the tower a sense of permanence and classic corporate elegance.
2. Recent Financial Restructuring Secured Its Future in a Challenging Market
In the post-pandemic commercial real estate environment, many office buildings have faced financial distress. However, One Metropolitan Square has demonstrated resilience. In a significant financial maneuver in late 2023, the building's owners completed a major loan restructuring. This strategic move was crucial for stabilizing the tower's financial position, ensuring its long-term viability and continued operation in the downtown area.
This action is a key differentiator when comparing Met Square to other St. Louis properties, such as the former AT&T Tower, which has faced significant vacancy challenges. The ability of the owners to successfully restructure the debt signals confidence in the property's value and the future of the downtown St. Louis office market.
Recent Ownership and Transactions
The property has seen several notable transactions. In 2021, the building was sold for $120 million to Sax Ventures. Another transaction, reportedly totaling $145 million, was also recorded around that time, reflecting the complexity of commercial property sales that often involve multiple entities and components. More recently, Kawa Capital Management has also been noted as an investor in a portion of the office property. These high-value transactions underscore its status as a premier investment asset in the regional market.
3. It Maintains a Strong Occupancy Rate Against Downtown Trends
While downtown office occupancy has been a major concern nationally, One Metropolitan Square has managed to maintain a relatively robust tenant roster and occupancy rate. As of recent reports, the occupancy rate hovered around 80%. This is a strong performance, especially compared to the struggles of single-tenant buildings or those with less modern infrastructure.
The building's success is attributed to its high-quality, multi-tenant design, which makes it appealing to a diverse range of professional organizations. Its modern amenities, superior location, and efficient floor plates continue to attract high-profile entities.
A Hub for Top-Tier Professional Entities
The tenant list reads like a who's who of St. Louis's corporate and professional services sector. Major tenants include the international law firm Bryan Cave and the regional firm Evans & Dixon. Additionally, it houses civic and economic development organizations like the Bi-State Development Agency and Greater St. Louis Inc.. The presence of these key entities reinforces the building's status as a central hub for business and economic activity in the region.
4. A Centerpiece for Downtown St. Louis Revitalization
The Metropolitan Square Building is a cornerstone of the ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown St. Louis. Its sheer size and high occupancy generate significant foot traffic and economic activity, supporting surrounding businesses, restaurants, and retail spaces. It is a symbol of stability and investment in the city’s core.
Its location on Broadway is strategic, connecting major downtown avenues and providing easy access to public transit options, including the MetroLink system. The tower’s prominence helps to anchor the central business district, providing a vital counterpoint to other major developments and attractions like the Gateway Arch National Park and Busch Stadium.
5. Its Design Has Influenced Later St. Louis Skyscrapers
The 1980s and 1990s saw a wave of ambitious skyscraper construction, and One Metropolitan Square was at the forefront. Its use of high-quality materials, including polished granite and copper, and its distinctive, non-flat roofline set a precedent. The building moved away from the simple glass boxes of earlier decades, opting for a more sculptural and classic look that has influenced subsequent commercial architecture in the St. Louis area.
The tower’s successful integration of commercial space with high-end finishes and modern infrastructure has made it a benchmark for Class A office space in the Midwest. Even decades after its completion, the Metropolitan Square Building remains a highly desirable and prestigious business address, cementing its legacy as an architectural and commercial icon in St. Louis, Missouri.
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