The developers of The Chase Park Plaza recently unveiled a historic floor plan and market offering to live atop the St. Louis landmark. One special resident will have the distinction of fully designing the building's first-ever, full-floor home.

Perched above Forest Park and downtown St. Louis, the penthouse is an expansive two-story layout, encompassing the entire 27th floor of the Park Plaza residential tower. The spacious living area totals 6,700 square feet and features floor-to-ceiling windows to take in an unparalleled view of the city.

"Throughout the building's 81-year history, the top of The Chase Park Plaza has never been home to just one family," said Marcia Smith Niedringhaus, one of the developers of The Chase Park Plaza. "To our knowledge, the penthouse area has been split into dual living areas and even served as the home of the Tiara Room restaurant in the 1950s. After some extensive planning, we're proud to offer this incredibly unique opportunity."

The penthouse is listed on MLS for $5.595 million. The area will be customized for the future owner.

New Entrance for Private Residences

The Private Residences development has a new sense of curb appeal. The first exterior change (on the Maryland Avenue side of the Park Plaza Tower) is a new canopy marking the dedicated entrance to The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza. Included with the canopy, the Central West End's own Bowood Farms was hired to provide seasonal plantings for the more than 16 new planters adorning the building along Maryland Ave. and Kingshighway.

STAFF PROFILE: Brian S. Hale Brings Unique Culinary Style to The Chase

In this ongoing series, Coming Home profiles people you may encounter as you make The Private Residences at The Chase Park Plaza your home. In this issue, Coming Home speaks with Brian S. Hale, Executive Chef.

Executive Chef Brian S. Hale joined The Chase Park Plaza in August. During his career, Hale earned a reputation as one of St. Louis' top chefs, garnering numerous awards. At The Chase, Hale drives the overall culinary direction for The Chase Park Plaza's hotel events and four dining areas: Café Eau, Eau Bistro, Chaser's Lounge and The Marquee Café.

When did you realize you wanted to be a chef?
I didn't know right away. I started off in music and wanted to be a rock star. I moved to Los Angeles with a band, but things didn't turn out the way I hoped. I eventually came back home and enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While in school, I realized I had a real passion for food. Once I figured that out, I decided the best way to learn would be to experience it. I moved to Milan and started my career.

Do you continue to be involved with music?
I'm not as involved with the music scene as I used to be, but music is still an integral part of my life. When I write menus, I normally turn on the Rolling Stones, spread my favorite cookbooks, magazines and plate-ware out on the dining room table, get a bottle of wine and get at it. I'll set three different pads of paper out and dance around the table while singing and looking at my books. When the juice is flowing, the ideas just come pouring out.

What keeps you passionate about being in the kitchen?
Once I was asked what my criteria for a job were, and I came up with three things: I need to be creative; I need to be on stage; and I need to get paid for it. This isn't a 'job' for me; I actually get paid to play with food, which I think is amazing. I would do this for free if someone would ensure my family was taken care of with a paid mortgage and college tuition for my daughter! I count myself very fortunate to find so much joy in what I do for a living. I have a beautiful family and get to feed people. I sometimes have to convince myself that all of this is real.

When you cook at home, what's your quick fix meal?
One of my favorite football game meals is Manwich with Velveeta shells and cheese with potato chips crushed on top. During the summer I have a full vegetable and herb garden I use for quick meals with some prosciutto, French bread, olives and a nice Pinot Noir.

First Homeowners Move into Private Residences

The first of the private residents recently moved into their homes on the ninth floor. Among the newly settled homeowners are Jeff and Judy Harris (pictured right, center). The couple relocated to The Chase Park Plaza from Des Peres on Aug. 30.

"Everything went so smoothly," Judy Harris said. "And now that we're here, we plan to take full advantage of everything The Chase has to offer."

The residences are currently 65 percent sold. Construction progresses on floors 10-27, with a final completion target of fall 2009.