The Armory STL says it will ‘close temporarily,’ citing lack of funding

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The Armory STL says it will ‘close temporarily,’ citing lack of funding

ST. LOUIS – The Armory STL, a multi-purpose entertainment center that opened in St. Louis’ Midtown District less than two years ago, says it will “close temporarily.”

According to a press release shared on the

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, the complex says plans to reopen the venue are in the works, though a timetable for such plans isn’t immediately clear.

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The Armory says “due to lack of funding” it has been unable to complete a second phase desired for the complex. The building reopened as an entertainment center in December 2022 after several years vacant.

St. Louis property records show that Green Street Real Estate Ventures owns the Armory building. FOX 2 has reached out to Green Street for comment, but has not yet heard back upon request for comment.

Located in the 3600 block of Market Street in Midtown, the Armory is a historical landmark site in St. Louis. First built in the 1930s, previously served as a base for military operations in the 20th century. Throughout the years, it has also served as a concert venue and sports complex for indoor soccer, softball, and tennis.

Upon reopening, the Armory hosted party-game activities such as *********, table tennis, badminton, foosball and more. It also held various watch parties and charity events in recent years.

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According to the news release, many of the building’s current features were part of a first phase for the Armory as an entertainment center. Management sought a larger lower level with entertainment venues and a rooftop ***** garden as part of a second phase.

“The first phase that we opened was never meant to live on its own,” said Jimmy Smith, COO of the Armory STL, via the news release. “Even if we could have added just the rooftop, the whole picture would be different. What we had planned up there was amazing.”

Jacob Miller, one of the creators behind the Armory STL concept, says the decision to close temporarily comes down to finances.

“It’s pretty simple,” Miller said via the news release. “The landlord was supposed to fund the buildout of the whole thing. When only a fraction was funded, we were left with an incomplete project and were drowning in debt. We are working to restructure the whole thing.”

The news has left many employees wondering what’s next.

“A lot of people depended on this as a primary job; a lot of people have kids, and now they are lost. Everybody is really sad,” employee Michael Bradshaw said.

Miller thanked the St. Louis community for nearly two years of support to this point, adding “The concept worked, but without capital, it is just not sustainable.”

This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

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