A 36-story tower at Seventh Street and Washington Avenue just got a major face-lift, and the timing is no accident. U.S. Bank Plaza's owners have completed the first phase of a nearly $12 million renovation aimed at keeping tenants in place as downtown St. Louis's office market struggles through its weakest stretch in more than two decades.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the renovation adds more natural light to the aging tower. The first phase neared completion at an estimated cost of $11.6 million, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Project plans include two patio options, a concierge desk and an in-building food operator. Minneapolis-based Greiner Construction served as general contractor on the project.
Later phases are planned. About 40% of the building remains available for lease, with U.S. Bank and law firm Thompson Coburn its major tenants.
A 1970s Tower Chasing Modern Expectations
A 1970s Tower Chasing Modern Expectations U.S. Bank Plaza was completed in 1976. Danielle Grubbs, a senior director at Cushman & Wakefield, is a leasing lead for the building.
Local firm Trivers was hired to renovate the tower, according to the CoStar account of the plans.
The building's history stretches back further than its current ownership. It was completed in 1976 as One Mercantile Center and reaches 589 feet with its antenna spire, according to background compiled on Wikipedia. MAP Property Holdings acquired the tower in 2021.
Tenants Staying Put, For Now
The investment comes as downtown's office district faces its lowest occupancy in more than 20 years, the Post-Dispatch reported, and some building owners have found that property upgrades help retain tenants who might otherwise look elsewhere. Thompson Coburn, St. Louis's largest law firm, signed a short-term lease renewal at U.S. Bank Plaza. The tower secured more than 210,000 square feet of total lease renewals.
U.S. Bank also deepened its commitment to the building, consolidating its downtown footprint in early 2025 by moving 300 employees from its U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance unit at 1307 Washington Avenue directly into U.S. Bank Plaza, according to REJournals. The bank had previously occupied separate space at the Fashion Square Building on Washington Avenue.
Downtown's Steep Vacancy Problem
Landlords are investing in upgrades as they compete for tenants in a challenging downtown market.
Still, downtown isn't losing the fight entirely. The district captured 48.1% of all office lease renewals across the St. Louis metro area in the first half of 2026, representing more than 200,000 square feet of retained tenant space, according to Greater St. Louis Inc. Regional new leasing activity reached 985,000 square feet in early 2026, its highest first-half level since 2020, the economic development group reported. U.S. Bank Plaza's overhaul also sits inside a $2.2 billion pipeline of active commercial, residential and mixed-use development across downtown, as civic leaders work to diversify the commercial core.
