The development team of The Chase Park Plaza proudly welcomes esteemed St. Louis chef, Brian S. Hale, to its staff as executive chef. Hale officially began his new role the week of Aug. 4, 2008.
“Brian’s reputation as one of the bright stars of the culinary world makes him an exciting addition to the Chase Park Plaza family,” said Marcia Smith Niedringhaus, developer of The Chase Park Plaza. “His talents, ambitious menus and passion for what he does fit in perfectly with our vision for continually elevating the Chase Park Plaza’s dining experiences.”
Hale will drive the overall culinary direction for The Chase Park Plaza’s four dining areas: Café Eau, EAU Bistro, Chaser’s Lounge and The Marquee Café. He will also lead culinary efforts for hotel events within the property’s 70,000 sq. ft. of banquet and meeting space. The Chase Park Plaza averages 150 events per week.
“I’m a St. Louis native and lived in the Central West End. I’ve frequented The Chase Park Plaza many times and have great respect for its history and allure. It’s the best St. Louis has to offer in hotels,” said Hale. “My goal is to build on The Chase’s foundation to create a new culinary destination for the city and region. People gather in this building for so many reasons—history, glamour, nightlife. I want to make the dining experience stand alone in its appeal.”
Hale started his culinary career in Milan, but has been a part of St. Louis dining for more than 15 years. His work has added to the tastes of several area restaurants: Al Baker’s, Harry’s Downtown, Sqwires, and most recently, Monarch. During his time in St. Louis, Hale has been recognized by Sauce Magazine as Best Chef in St. Louis (2006) and Favorite Chef in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times (2006). As executive chef for Sqwires (2002) and Monarch (2006), Hale’s efforts helped each restaurant earn various honors for Best New Restaurant in St. Louis. Hale also won the first annual Iron Fork competition in 2007 and has been featured by prominent culinary magazines Bon Appétit and Gourmet.
“My experience and successes have been with independent restaurants,” said Hale. “This opportunity with The Chase Park Plaza is a new challenge for me. I think my experiences have prepared me to take this next step in my career for directing the culinary fare for an entire hotel.”
Hale assumes the post left vacant by former executive chef, Omar Hafidi, who left to pursue other interests.
The developers for The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza have selected Loomis Associates as the landscape architect for the third-floor garden terrace of the Park Plaza Tower. Headquartered in Chesterfield, Mo., Loomis has worked on a variety of land planning projects in the St. Louis region since 1977. The firm’s past work includes the Delmar Gardens office building in West County, Maryville Centre in Town and Country, The Boulders at Katy Trail and the Great Rivers Greenway.
The terrace encompasses approximately 13,000 sq. ft., and will include a balance of planting and flower beds, paved social areas, an outdoor kitchen, lawn spaces, a water feature, quiet nooks, a pet exercise space and more.
First-phase construction for The Private Residences recently moved from structural to finishing. It’s been exciting to see the homes take shape before our eyes. Our first residents move in later this month and we’re sure they’re even more thrilled.
Check out some of the progress made on floor nine!
At 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays during pool season, Santé members, future residents and hotel guests have the opportunity to squeeze in a quick, 45-minute workout in one of St. Louis’ most famed swimming pools. “Aqua Fit” is a complete water workout held in The Chase Park Plaza pool. Participants work to tone muscles, increase cardiovascular fitness and improve flexibility with swimming, treading water and shallow water aerobics.
Current participants say the class is well-rounded and exhausting (in a good way!).
Class members can meet at the pool, or may enter through Santé and use the stairs to the pool deck – no sign-up is necessary.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the evening with yoga on the Starlight Balcony. During the month of July, beginning at 8:30 p.m., Santé at The Chase Park Plaza offers a unique relaxation experience where participants of all skill levels can get out of the confines of a gym and practice yoga in a natural setting. The class leads participants through a relaxing flow of yoga poses while providing dusk views and sounds of Forest Park and midtown St. Louis. The class ends with meditation that allows the day’s stresses to melt away. Following the class, participants are invited to visit with each other over cucumber, lemon and lime water.
Signing up is appreciated but not necessary for Santé members (and future residents) or hotel guests. The class convenes at Santé, where instructor Callie Sears provides participants with yoga mats and any other class necessities. For more information, visit www.santechase.com.
Omega 3s, poly-saturated, mono-saturated, saturated, hydrogenated … there are so many types of fats!
In line with its goal of providing fitness, wellness and balance, Santé at The Chase Park Plaza will welcome nutrition expert Aviva Solomon, a certified holistic health counselor, Wednesday, July 16, to speak on “The Skinny on Fats.” This free workshop is designed for those interested in learning the truth about types of fats to avoid and the foods that supply bodies with the healthy fats they need. Light refreshments will be served.
The seminar will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Mind and Body Studio of Santé. Prospective and future residents are welcome to join Santé members, Chase Park Plaza hotel guests and Santé personal trainers and instructors for this eye-opening seminar.
For more information, or to RSVP, please call 314-633-3020.
CWE Hospitality Services, LLC, the management company owned and run by the owners of The Chase Park Plaza, has landed its first long-term management deal outside of St. Louis. Led by President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Smith and Executive Vice President Marcia Smith Niedringhaus, CWE officially began management of the 56-room The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colo. on June 1.
The Colorado resort is owned by a real estate investment program of Dallas-based Behringer Harvard –which also holds a majority interest in The Chase Park Plaza — and offers similar amenities to the Chase, including a spa, luxury rental units and fitness center. The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera is often described as “an intimate hideaway combining casual elegance with rustic Rocky Mountain splendor.” Set high atop a privately owned mountain, this AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning chateau-style lodge offers guests a complete resort experience.
“The owners of The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera desire to create a culture that’s similar to the one that we have at the Chase,” Smith said. “It is a culture where the guest comes first and all needs are met to the fullest. With everything from the finest turndown service to impeccably manicured walks, guests who book a stay at a property managed by CWE Hospitality Services should expect nothing short of the best.”
Like The Chase Park Plaza’s Private Residences, The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera will soon feature the Paramonte Private Residences. Paramonte residents will have access to all lodge and spa amenities, just as The Private Residences’ owners have access to all of the amenities of The Chase Park Plaza.
The pool at The Chase Park Plaza was recently featured in Forbes Magazine’s ForbesLife Executive Woman online feature. The piece provided a brief survey of some of the finest fresh-air swimming pools for professionals to visit during business trips. About the pool at The Chase, the piece said:
For decades, this ’20s-era hotel was St. Louis’s place to swing, the magnet for big bands and bigwigs, presidents and princes. Newly remodeled, the Chase still harks back to its glory days. The pool is splendidly set in a Romanesque Revival–style courtyard, and you can envision that proud day in 1956 when a bevy of Miss America contestants strutted their stuff here. Times (and bathing suits) have changed, but the pool retains its mellow charm, with flower-filled planters and the chance to dine alfresco. And it’s heated, so the swim season spans spring through autumn, with early-morning exercise classes.
Residents of The Private Residences have complementary access to the pool at The Chase.
On Friday, May 30, Lisa R. Brown of the St. Louis Business Journal broke the news that the developers of The Chase Park Plaza are expanding their hospitality services, known as CWE Hospitality Services, LLC, beyond St. Louis. In landing its first out-of-town deal, the management of the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colo., CWE Hospitality Services, LLC solidifies its position as a nationally-recognized hospitality provider.
According to the article, CWE Hospitality Services, LLC was selected for its experience managing The Chase Park Plaza, which offers many of the same amenities as Lodge & Spa at Cordillera.
Read the full article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/06/02/story9.html
On Wednesday, April 30, future residents were treated to a delightful evening on the ever-popular Café Eau Patio. Attendees were able to enjoy the company of their future neighbors while sampling new menu offerings and cocktails served by one of The Chase Park Plaza’s bartenders.
