"Circadia brings together the strength of two legacy brands, uniting through a shared vision for creating spaces that foster balance, creativity, and growth," said Ed Wills, chief executive officer of Circadia. "Our teams embrace innovation to create environments that can empower, inspire, and elevate."

This rebranding comes at a time of significant growth for the company, driven by major project expansions with educational institutions and healthcare facilities. Circadia’s expanded services now encompass everything from advanced technology integration and construction to flooring and facility management. From the initial concept to the ongoing lifecycle of the space, Circadia delivers tailored solutions that address all aspects of the built environment.

Ballpark Village Developer Chosen to Remake St. Louis’ Millennium Hotel - STL Post Dispatch

ST. LOUIS — Downtown’s long-vacant Millennium Hotel will be demolished to make way for luxury housing, offices, an amphitheater, food hall and other amenities in a project officials say will transform the St. Louis skyline.



The Cordish Cos., the firm that developed Ballpark Village with the St. Louis Cardinals, was chosen from three bids to redevelop the shuttered hotel site, just 2 blocks east of Busch Stadium.

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the national park grounds, picked the company in conjunction with city officials, the region’s business lobby and independent experts, it said.

“We are delivering on our promise to take swift action to bring vibrancy once again to this critical downtown location,” Ryan McClure, executive director of the foundation, said in a statement. “The Cordish Cos. is a world-class U.S. developer, and their vision will be transformative for this site, creating a stronger, more connected downtown St. Louis and uplifting our entire region.”

Cordish Cos. Principal Blake Cordish called the opportunity a “once-in-a-generation moment.”

“By linking new and existing assets to thriving corridors, this project will act as a catalyst for further revitalization, bringing more residents and visitors, attracting new businesses, and driving long-term growth and vitality for St. Louis and the region,” Cordish said in a statement.

The organizations provided little detail as to how the project would be financed, whether more tax incentives would be sought, and even whether the Cardinals, who showed support for the project, could be involved. They said those details would be finalized as the project proceeds.

The Millennium Hotel occupies prime real estate on the Mississippi River and is among the first landmarks tourists see when they arrive at the Gateway Arch grounds. At 28 stories and 780 rooms, the hotel was once the largest in St. Louis. It opened in 1969 as Stouffer’s Riverfront and later carried the Clarion and Regal Riverfront names.

But the cylindrical tower — which notably had a rotating restaurant on the top floor — has been vacant since 2014.

Singapore-based real estate conglomerate City Developments Limited has owned the property, at 200 South Fourth Street, for years; it blamed the pandemic for its inability to reopen the hotel.

It’s one of four major vacant buildings, including the Railway Exchange, the former AT&T tower and the Chemical Building, that city officials say are crucial to revitalizing downtown.

Last year, city officials threatened to sue to take ownership of the Millennium, hoping to pressure City Developments Limited to redevelop or sell. The tactic worked, and in September the Gateway Arch Park Foundation announced it had the property under contract to buy. The organization has not yet closed on the deal.

The nonprofit always intended to partner with an experienced real estate developer who could provide a “bold vision” and The Cordish Cos. has done that, McClure, the nonprofit leader, said in an interview.

“This is what St. Louis needs and deserves,” he said.

His organization received two other bids, though McClure declined to share details of those plans.

Evan Schick said his company, Schick & Associates, put together a competing bid for a project that would have attracted visitors year-round with beer festivals in the fall and a Christmas market in the winter.

The proposal, called King Louie Commons, would pay homage to the city’s German heritage and brewery pedigree; it entailed a luxury apartment tower overlooking a town square-like layout with multiple entertainment venues, restaurants, beer halls and other amenities.

Schick questioned whether Cordish’s plan for a new office building would be appropriate given the vacancy downtown and the uncertainty of whether the plan could draw visitors outside of baseball season.

“The initial premise was it has to be something that’s an attraction, that’s a destination,” Schick said. “Does this proposal fit that need? I don’t know.”

Baltimore-based Cordish collaborated with the Cardinals on Ballpark Village, a mixed-use destination meant to draw crowds outside of baseball season.

But after the new Busch Stadium was built in 2006, Ballpark Village stalled. Its plans changed size and scope over the next seven years before Cordish and the Cardinals announced they secured financing for the first phase in 2013. A second phase with a luxury apartment tower, new offices and a hotel opened in 2020.

At the same time, business owners on Washington Avenue blamed the development for luring customers and tanking sales.

Mike LaMartina, the president of BallPark Village, represented Cordish on Tuesday in media interviews. He said the company’s goal is to complement Ballpark Village and build on the new improvements at nearby Kiener Plaza.

“It’s a complete disservice for us to propose we create something that actually is harmful to another project that’s been so transformational,” LaMartina said. “Our hope is that this continues to create seismic effect up and down the riverfront through downtown St Louis.”

Officials described the $670 million proposal from The Cordish Cos. as a “preliminary plan” but final elements are likely to include “upscale” housing, top office space, public spaces, an amphitheater, a food hall, event space, a potential home for the Gateway Arch National Park’s archives, pedestrian-friendly spaces and art installations.

A St. Louis development board in September gave initial approval for 20 years of tax abatement. The project will go before the city’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority for review on Tuesday.

“This redevelopment plan will transform the St. Louis skyline,” Neal Richardson, the head of St. Louis Development Corp., which oversees the LCRA, said in a statement. “Working with Gateway Arch Park Foundation and The Cordish Cos. on this project will provide the rejuvenation St. Louis desperately needs to transition into a world-class city.”



Bill DeWitt III, president of the Cardinals, called the plan a “fantastic addition” to Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village.

BEYOND THE BUILD | Hearts A Flutter Over Project Cupid: Importance of Community Initiatives and Being a True Partner

Whiteside Elementary was one of many schools in the St. Louis metropolitan area that participated in this year’s Project Cupid. Before February 14, volunteers sorted and delivered thousands of handmade Valentines.

“Our company saw an opportunity to assist one of our community partners in this special endeavor. Greg Williams, one of our Directors of Client Development, had the pleasure of going to Whiteside with the art supplies and participating in the creation of the cards,” said Amanda Bohnert, Chief Marketing Officer at S. M. Wilson.

“When clients hire S. M. Wilson, they hire more than just a construction manager for a project. We want them to understand that they are hiring a partner now and in the future. Our team members go Beyond The Build to assist with community initiatives whenever we can. Our goal is always to positively impact the communities where we work.”

Whiteside Elementary was one of many schools in the St. Louis metropolitan area that participated in this year’s Project Cupid. Before February 14, volunteers sorted and delivered thousands of handmade Valentines.

“Our company saw an opportunity to assist one of our community partners in this special endeavor. Greg Williams, one of our Directors of Client Development, had the pleasure of going to Whiteside with the art supplies and participating in the creation of the cards,” said Amanda Bohnert, Chief Marketing Officer at S. M. Wilson.

“When clients hire S. M. Wilson, they hire more than just a construction manager for a project. We want them to understand that they are hiring a partner now and in the future. Our team members go Beyond The Build to assist with community initiatives whenever we can. Our goal is always to positively impact the communities where we work.”

Kypta said S. M. Wilson initially contacted Whiteside Elementary to express a desire to donate supplies to assist in participating in Project Cupid.

“I talked with our art teacher, Mrs. Taylor, and asked her to create a list of items that she thought would be useful in making cards. She compiled an Amazon wishlist, and S. M.. Wilson truly exceeded our expectations by donating even more than what was listed. While Project Cupid would have still been successful without this generous donation, the extra art supplies added more fun and allowed for more decorative cards,” Kypta said. “The highlight of the project was when Mr. Greg Williams came in to make Valentine’s cards with our first and second-grade students. Everyone enjoyed having him in their weekly art class!”

S. M. Wilson is currently working as the construction manager at risk for the Whiteside School District #115, focusing on the expansion and renovation of its existing school facilities. The project includes a new classroom wing for the district’s pre-kindergarten and early childhood education and the construction of additional storage facilities. Whiteside Elementary will also receive security enhancements, a new playground and reconfiguration of the parking lot and drive lanes to improve traffic flow and safety...

Breaking the Cycle

So, how do we shift the mindset and ensure construction professionals don’t fall victim to affluenza?

1. Prioritize Safety Over Speed – Pushing for faster results can lead to cutting corners, which ultimately compromises safety. Research shows that workplace cultures emphasizing safety over speed experience fewer accidents and better overall productivity (Guldenmund et al., 2020). Construction companies that encourage a “safety-first” mentality foster environments where workers feel less pressure to overextend themselves, reducing burnout and injuries.

2.  Encourage Work-Life Boundaries – A study by Goldenhar and Stafford (2021) found that industries with poor work-life balance suffer from increased stress, higher turnover, and lower job satisfaction. In construction, setting clear expectations around time off, ensuring workers take proper breaks, and promoting work-life balance policies can improve mental well-being and retention rates. Companies that enforce maximum working hours and discourage excessive overtime have been shown to reduce fatigue-related incidents and increase long-term productivity.

3.  Invest in Mental Health Resources – A systematic review by Huang et al. (2023) highlights that high-stress environments in construction contribute to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), access to mental health professionals, and peer support networks can help workers manage stress before it escalates. Some construction firms have implemented mental health check-ins, leading to improved morale and a more engaged workforce.



4.  Redefine Success – Instead of measuring success purely by hours worked or revenue generated, companies should focus on sustainable productivity, safety performance, and worker satisfaction. Guldenmund et al. (2020) found that organizations prioritizing employee well-being see increased efficiency and reduced safety incidents. By shifting the focus from relentless output to long-term sustainability, construction firms can build healthier, more resilient teams.

Jeff Koziatek

Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach

Do what matters. Love the outcome.

“Free Download: 4 Ridiculously Fun Ways to 10x Performance.”

9 Tips to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

HR professionals play a major role in cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you’re looking to improve your DE&I strategy, start with these tips:

1. Establish a Clear Code of Conduct

A strong code of conduct defines what you expect from employees at work. This is HR’s first and best opportunity to tell employees about your company’s non-negotiables. Outline unacceptable behaviors like discrimination and harassment and clearly describe your reporting process...

2. Gather and Implement Employee Feedback

Run regular employee surveys that invite candid input. (Pro tip: make your surveys anonymous to foster psychological safety.) Then, implement the feedback you receive...

3. Update Recruitment and Hiring Practices

DE&I efforts should naturally expand your talent pool. Update your hiring practices to reach underrepresented groups. For example, you might implement skills-based hiring practices or partner with local universities to source candidates...

4. Foster Cross-functional Collaboration

Break down organizational silos to build relationships among diverse team members. Mentorship programs, networking events, and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) encourage employees to learn from and support one another...

Women in Construction Career Expo