Project Profiles

St. Louis Flaunts its First Green Energy High Rise

The old Dillard’s Building in downtown St. Louis recently received a major facelift, thanks in part to Kirberg Company, which helped turn the historic building into the first-ever green energy high rise in the city. The newly-renovated building, now home to the Laurel Luxury Apartments, features 184 Flex Light Photovoltaic Panels that will help to offset the building’s common area lighting needs. Advanced Green Technologies supplied the Photovoltaic (PV) Panel System, and Kirberg Company installed the panels over the roof.

The integrated PV Panels, more commonly referred to as solar panels, convert sunlight into electricity using solar cells and feed captured electricity into a grid. The system will save a significant amount of energy and money over an extended period of time, and thanks to improved solar panel technology, looks nearly identical to a regular roof system.

“We’re so excited to have been a part of this project,” Kirberg President Eric Kirberg said. “Thanks to the development team, Advanced Green Energy, Bell Electric, and our team of roofers led by Jason Waldek and Bob Cartwright, we were able to make the Laurel Building — and St. Louis — a better, greener place to live.”

Located at 622 N. Seventh St. within the Mercantile Exchange District on Washington Avenue, The Laurel was the 2012 winner of the Landmarks Association of St. Louis’ Most Enhanced Award. The building offers luxury one and two bedroom apartments, combined with the benefits of a downtown living experience.

“The renovation of the former Dillard’s Department Store into The Laurel Apartments and the Embassy Suites Hotel was an important part of the redevelopment of the former St. Louis Centre Mall into the Mercantile Exchange District,” said Stephen Metherd, development manager for Spinnaker St. Louis, which was also responsible for the district’s MX Movie Theater, retail shops and restaurants. “Working with Kirberg to add the solar energy system to this project underscores our commitment to making sustainability an integral part of our redevelopment efforts.”

For more information, visit www.kirberg.com.