Catching the eye of more than future homeowners, The Private Residences are also increasingly gaining notice from some of St. Louis’ most admired interior designers.
In May, Barb Slavkin, president, June Roesslein Interiors, hosted a design session at The Chase Park Plaza to discuss color and lifestyle trends. The audience, including current residents, learned what colors are popular for this year (chameleon neutrals and various shades of red, blue, yellow and green) and how thinking about home spaces is changing. Slavkin spoke about the “demise of the formal living room” and the emergence of gathering rooms, smaller houses with more high-end furnishings, and outdoor living areas, amongst other topics.
“The Private Residences have done a fabulous job of incorporating simplicity in the design so that people can have contemporary or traditional, and it all blends beautifully,” said Slavkin. “The spaces and finishes here are phenomenal. Combine this with amazing views of the city and Forest Park, access to the pool and the cinema - it all adds up to a unique lifestyle I think people will greatly appreciate.”
Also in May, Karen Pepper, of Edwin Pepper Interiors, used one of the grand, recently constructed, residences on the fifteenth floor as a platform for her own lavish designs. The space combined two units into one residence, and was a featured attraction during the Central West End Home Tour, May 30-31.
As The Private Residences continue to garner more interest from the regions’ best designers as the paragon of high-rise living in St. Louis, future events are sure to continue pairing the excellence of The Chase Park Plaza and leaders in the design industry.
On May 29, The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza kicked off the Central West End Association’s annual condominium and terrace tour with an opening reception. The Friday evening event featured cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the recently constructed community amenity room, as well as a sneak peek at the two homes and terrace that were open for the two-day tour.
Exquisitely outfitted by interior designer Karen Pepper of Edwin Pepper Interiors, the 15th floor residence wowed attendees. Pepper decorated the home with high-end, one-of-a-kind fabrics and accessories that highlighted the new, larger floor plan.
Check out some of the photos from Friday evening’s reception here.
The Saint Louis Beacon recently posted its coverage of the upcoming 40th Annual Central West End Home Tour, May 30-31. Read the article here for more details about the featured homes and the starring role of The Private Residences.
This year’s tour focuses on condominiums and terraces, which makes The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza the prime attraction. Two units and a terrace will be on display for tour participants (including the unveiling of one of our most spectacular homes on the 15th floor, decorated by Karen Pepper of Edwin Pepper Interiors).
You can purchase your ticket(s) in advance or the day of the tour. Advance tickets are available The Chase Park Plaza gift shop and other neighborhood locations.
CWE Hospitality Services, LLC, the property management arm for The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza, recently announced the creation of its new in-house sales and development team. The team will manage the sales and marketing for the development’s remaining residences and assist with the expansion of CWE’s property management portfolio. Members of the team include Kathy Capps, sales coordinator, Lea Luchetti, sales coordinator, Beth Niehoff, director of resident communications, and Marion Penberthy, director of development. Capps and Luchetti are both new hires.
Together, Capps and Luchetti co-manage the sales and marketing for The Private Residences. They’re the first points of contact for prospective residents. Niehoff is the primary liaison for The Private Residences community. She also facilitates finish selections and construction details with residents, ensuring each aspect meets the owners’ standards. Penberthy coordinates the final move-in process until the homeowners are comfortably settled in their new residence.
“The transition to an in-house sales team was a needed and natural progression for the development. With residents already moved into nearly a third of the homes, our attention shifts from managing the construction of residences to assisting our new homeowners and marketing the remaining homes,” said Marcia Smith Niedringhaus, developer of The Chase Park Plaza. “With 60 percent of the 86 residences currently sold, we believe we have the right people in place to support both current and prospective residents.”
Capps’ nearly 20 years of real estate sales experience are rooted in St. Louis, where she became a multi-million dollar real estate agent with Century 21 Classic, Coldwell Banker and Janet McAfee Real Estate. She later supported and managed sales efforts for MLP Development Company/FRAMamerica, Garrison Partners, Maher Partners and Mayer Homes.
Luchetti brings to the team nearly three decades of experience in advertising, marketing, management and real estate. Luchetti held senior account management positions-introducing and marketing products with local and national recognition-at Peter Rogers Associates and Doyle, Dane & Bernbach in New York, The Franklin Mint in Philadelphia and Edward L. Bakewell in St. Louis. A licensed real estate agent, Luchetti also served as the director of relocation for Bakewell. She has long been involved with numerous not-for-profit organizations, providing her expertise to help raise development funds and gain visibility with marketing and leadership in the community.
Niehoff uses nearly two decades of office management, sales and marketing experience to assist residents. She previously worked with Siegfried Financial Group and Albert Adair Designs. She joined CWE in her current position in August 2007. Since then, Niehoff facilitated the smooth transition from construction to completion for the families who now call The Private Residences home.
Penberthy has spent almost 30 years in the St. Louis commercial real estate market. She started her career at Follman Properties before helping to found Bell & Associates, Inc., where she served as president. She is highly involved with Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) in St. Louis, focusing her efforts on the CREW/Safe Connections Charity Golf committee. Penberthy is a licensed real estate broker, commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Maryland Heights, and an associate within the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Aside from overseeing the historic Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, CWE accepted a management deal in May 2008 for the 56-room Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, near Beaver Creek, Co. The new team will also support the company’s plans to continue expanding its property management portfolio in 2009 and beyond.
Future and current residents and their guests are warmly invited to attend an exclusive interior design seminar at The Private Residences at the Chase Park Plaza.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Lenox Room, The Chase Park Plaza
Barb Slavkin, president of June Roesslein Interiors, will present “Lifestyle Trends for 2009 and Beyond.”
Ms. Slavkin will reveal the latest design trends and insights for creating efficient multi-use spaces, welcoming gathering rooms, recreational retreats… and much more! Learn about color trends and the palettes that will delight designers both now and in the future.
Please join us on April 30 for cocktails, intriguing discussion and an opportunity to mingle with your neighbors. A similar event, on May 14, will be open to the public and to members of the media. Please RSVP to Jean Hummel at 314. 633.3031.
Hope to see you there!
ROI Cloud Nine
Our new radio advertisements can be heard around town, beginning this month. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
Maria Jose March Kessler
Maria José March Kessler’s imagination has taken her from Spain to England and hundreds of places in between. To residents and their guests, Maria José is a treasure trove of helpful information, imaginative entertainment ideas and community background. Born and raised in Valencia, Spain, Maria José has the distinction of serving as the very first concierge to The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza.
How does your concierge job differ from serving hotel guests?
Honestly, most of my job is the same. People need help finding transportation, or they want to make reservations at restaurants. I make arrangements for dry cleaning, dog walking or simply give suggestions on shopping. Now that I’m working with residents, I’m really looking forward to giving more personalized service… I’m already getting to know people and their interests.
You have such a fascinating background, can you tell us a bit about your path to the Chase? I’ve been with the Chase four years, so we’re going back a bit. Nearly 30 years ago, my husband and I lived in the Central West End… and we’ve gone back and forth between here and Spain. I went to college in Madrid and worked there for an insurance company. I later moved to London to study, where I met my husband Ron, who was stationed with the American Embassy. We moved to the United States in the late 1970s. My two sons were born here. We moved back to Spain in 1989 and opened a private academy for teaching English to businesses and schools. When I came back to the Central West End after nearly 15 years in Spain, it was so nice to come back to this area. I felt like we were coming home!
What do you like about the neighborhood?
I love the Central West End, and anyone who knows me knows that. To me, it’s very European. The little cafes, the people on the street, Forest Park, the architecture… when I have company from Europe, I always show them around and point out the similarities.
What is your perfect travel destination?
Europe in general… I love its landscape, history and architecture. I really enjoy England, France and Switzerland. My two sons and the rest of my family still live in Spain, so of course I like to visit them!
What are some of your hidden talents that have benefitted guests or residents? My grandmother had a small boutique in Valencia. I learned to sew a bit out of necessity when I wanted to sew my own clothes. I guess you could say I can do a few stitches in a pinch! I’ve also tied a bowtie for a groom at the last minute. I’m also really alert to the needs of people who are new to St. Louis, like I was.
So what’s the most unusual thing you’ve been asked to help with?
We had a lady come to me just before a wedding—I think it was the mother of the bride—and she needed me to fix her dress. There was a large stain at the waistline of the dress, so we had to quickly sew it so that it wouldn’t show!
What do you consider to be a “must do” in St. Louis when guests and residents ask for ideas?
Forest Park. You could spend a whole week there with your family and see something new each day. And where else can you visit museums and listen to concerts for free? The museums in Forest Park are amazing… I could go to them every week.
What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love bicycling, helping people with Spanish, reading, listening to music and cooking. Paella is one of my favorite dishes. I haven’t made it for anyone at The Chase, but I’ve served it to guests in my own home.
The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza hosted a photo shoot for St. Louis Magazine’s At Home on April 7. Look for the design feature to run in the magazine later this year!
A story in the April 2 St. Louis Post-Dispatch spotlighted a CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) program that’s close to my heart… we even hosted them last year in The Private Residences penthouse space. If you have time, pick up the print edition and check out the group photo! –Marcia
Recently, the exterior Park Plaza tower received a new spring look, courtesy of some new signage. Check it out the next time you’re on Maryland Plaza.
