The Heart of St. Charles, a banquet hall that hosted weddings, proms and other big celebrations for decades, is set to come down this week as part of a multi-phase riverfront redevelopment. The long-vacant building has been closed since 2019, and demolition crews are expected to move in Friday morning, May 29, 2026.
As reported by St. Louis Public Radio, crews are scheduled to begin work Friday morning, May 29. Owner Sheri Steffans told the outlet, "We're proud to continue investing in this property and creating something that will serve residents and visitors for generations to come." Mayor Dan Borgmeyer called the project "a new chapter for South Main and our riverfront," according to the report.
Permits Show Asbestos Abatement Last Year
State environmental records list an asbestos-demolition notification for the "former Heart of Stl Charles Banquet Ctr," naming Spirtas Wrecking Company as the contractor and HISSC LLC as the listed owner. The filing from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources gives the project address as 1410 S 5th St and records work dated Oct. 21–29, 2024, including the types and amounts of asbestos-containing materials removed.
Developer Plans a Hotel-First Rollout
Project documents and developer comments indicate the site will be built out in phases, with phase two slated to include a 92-room Fairfield Inn on the northern portion of the property. St. Louis Public Radio reports the developer expects that hotel to open in winter 2028 and that a third phase would add a hotel and restaurant on the former banquet-center footprint.
Where This Fits in St. Charles' Riverfront Debate
The planned teardown arrives amid a wider local conversation about when older riverfront buildings should be preserved and when sites should be cleared for new development. recent fights over proposed demolitions of historic industrial properties downtown have shown how redevelopment plans can spark community pushback.
Next Steps for Residents
City planning and zoning bodies typically vet projects like this at public hearings, and the municipality posts upcoming agenda items online for public review. The City of St. Charles lists meeting dates where neighbors can follow and comment on redevelopment proposals.
