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Changing buying habits over the last couple of decades have spurred shopping centers to evolve as well. Many have been reimagined and reborn, such as the continuing transformation of the former Chesterfield, Mo., outlet mall into The District. The entertainment hot spot is now anchored by restaurants, a brewery, special events space, concert venue, fitness center, and recreational golf and bowling. It’s capped off by the Hub STL, a 700-person-capacity, $4 million, 40,000-square-foot outdoor area designed for fun and games, summertime concerts and events, and even a drive-in. Guests stay cool and shaded under two large flat canopies fabricated, designed and installed by Lawrence Fabric and Metal Structures Inc. of St. Louis.
The four tensioned fabric shade sails are more than 9 feet wide and 33 feet long and cover approximately 1,350 square feet. They reside on two substantial steel structures and required engineering due to the size of the framing and the shape of the sails. The fabrication and installation time frame was tight, with the project completed in May 2023 for an early summer opening of the entertainment area.
Developer The Staenberg Group called the Hub the heartbeat of The District entertainment venue, and Lawrence Fabric was excited to be a part of it.
PROJECT NAME: The Hub of the District
LOCATION: Chesterfield, Mo.
FABRICATION, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND INSTALLATION: Lawrence Fabric and Metal Structures Inc.
ENGINEER: Case Engineering Inc.
ARCHITECT: HDA Architects
FABRIC: GALE Commercial 95® 340 FR Desert Sand