Law Firm Expansion Continues Redevelopment Success Along Delmar
A Central West End-based law firm is expanding to a larger space on Delmar Blvd–continuing the momentum of vacant, dilapidated buildings being redeveloped.
On Thursday, the St. Louis Development Corporation’s (SLDC) Board of Directors unanimously approved up to $5 million in New Markets Tax Credits for Stock Legal to move to 4709 Delmar Blvd, which is just at the edge of the Central West End neighborhood.
Stock Legal has outgrown its space and intends to redevelop the vacant building at the corner of Delmar Blvd and Walton Ave. The project is intended to add as many as 35-40 new positions and create coworking space for other lawyers, startups, and small businesses.
Stock Legal founder Sara Stock intends to also bring in her law firm expansion business to the new site called Legal Back Office, also founded by Stock.
The new site will also have space for four small businesses and a gym.
This project is at the forefront of trying to change the narrative of the Delmar Divide by investing in and creating jobs north of Delmar Blvd.
“This expansion is another pivotal step in our mission to bridge the Delmar Divide and create vibrancy along the corridor. By investing in historically underutilized spaces, we’re not only addressing inequities, but also fostering economic opportunity and growth in neighborhoods that have long been overlooked,” said Neal Richardson, SLDC president and CEO. “Stock Legal’s commitment to this project demonstrates how businesses can lead the way in transforming Delmar Boulevard into a thriving hub of innovation.”
“As a female business owner with two businesses, Stock Legal and Legal Back Office, I am so grateful to SLDC and the NMTC program for this opportunity,” Stock said. “It will allow me to keep my businesses in the City of St. Louis, and invest in existing infrastructure in the CWE to renovate a former candy factory built in the 1850s with gracious bones. I am excited to be a part of the existing redevelopment efforts on Delmar Boulevard, and to collaborate with the neighborhood to bring vibrancy and foot traffic back to this area.”
The successful LaunchCode site is located one block to the west of this project. In addition, Kingsway Development is finishing Evolution, a rehab of a building on the same block just west of Stock Legal’s new site. Evolution plans to complete construction and open the building to multiple commercial and retail tenants in the first quarter of 2025.
Just a few blocks to the west, the Delmar Maker District has welcomed several new restaurants within the last year.