Topgolf Opens Near SLU
10/20/2023
Golf balls were flying on Friday in Midtown St. Louis.
The newest Topgolf location, sandwiched between Saint Louis University’s north and south campuses, opened Friday. Leaders from Topgolf, SLU, the city and the region celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“On behalf of Saint Louis University, Topgolf, welcome to the neighborhood,” said SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. “We are thrilled to have you here.”
Topgolf St. Louis - Midtown, which is the second to serve Greater St. Louis, is located at the intersection of Chouteau Avenue and Compton Avenue, south of I-64.
“It’s a beautiful day to celebrate another milestone in the history of Midtown and the development of Midtown,” Pestello said. “. . . We gather to celebrate something that continues the transformation of our region.”
Topgolf St. Louis-Midtown has 102 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays spanning three levels. Each bay has lounge-type furniture or high-top tables for groups waiting for their turn to swing a club.
St. Louis 11th Ward Alderwoman Laura Keys said Topgolf is a “remarkable jewel now at the crown of our city.”
“It holds such great value and great promise for our city’s economic growth,” she said.
Jason Hall, Chief Executive Officer with Greater St. Louis, Inc., said the new venue is estimated to draw 600,000 participants and generate $2 million in annual sales tax. Hall, who lives by the site, said he watched the construction progress daily and was thrilled with the transformation.
“It’s a much better site now,” Hall said.
The land for the venue, which is in the city's 19th Ward, was acquired from Saint Louis University. Work on the site started in the fall of 2022. Topgolf said the new venue will bring approximately 500 new jobs.
L. Jared Boyd, Chief of Staff for St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, thanked Topgolf for having the vision to come to St. Louis
“Thank you so much for seeing something in St. Louis that sometimes we don’t see in ourselves, and that’s opportunity,” Boyd said.
Pestello said Topgolf was just one piece of the constantly evolving Midtown area. He noted the area has seen a number of new projects in recent years, with more still planned.
“We are very proud to be here in this moment,” Pestello said. “We are proud to have taken this piece of property and sold it for this purpose, Topgolf. We are appreciative now of the momentum of this area — if you look behind me, you have the Steelcote lofts, the Target department store coming up, and SSM announcing its plans to build a new children’s hospital in addition to the SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital that they already built. You also have The Foundry, the Armory — billions of dollars of investment have been made here in St. Louis, creating jobs and boosting the economy.”
Like Pestello, Hall said Topgolf is a positive sign of growth in the St. Louis region.
“We are resurgent here in the Gateway City,” Hall said. “In the real estate industry, they say location is everything. I can’t think of a better location to come together as a metro and have some fun and tee off with these beautiful views of the Gateway Arch.”
Hall singled out Pestello as being one of the leaders who had the vision to transform Midtown.
“A lot of people saw vacant land, and the leaders laid the groundwork for a deal like this and for an announcement like this years ago before anyone could see it,” Hall said. “They didn’t have to do it, but made a commitment to not just be a great institution, but to be a great neighbor to the city and provided the leadership to get where we are.”
In addition to the benefits to the region, the speakers also highlighted how the new Topgolf will be a new and desirable entertainment option for many in the area.
“Those of you who have tried it, or those who are about to try it, are going to realize just how much fun this brings and how much fun it is,” Pestello said.
For more info on Topgolf St Louis-Midtown, visit the venue's location page.