As 2020 comes to a close, we are taking the time to reflect on the good that this year brought. Our culture was able to shine and bring our people together. Take a look below at some of the incredible ways we were able to give back to our communities and continue to grow.
Giving Back
KDG is proud to work with #KeeleyCares to give back to our local St. Louis community. In 2020, most of our annual #KeeleyCares events were cancelled, but there were still many ways for our people to get involved. #KeeleyCares partnered with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to bring food, toiletries, and safety items to families in need every Saturday during the summer. Over 250 Keeley'ns were lucky to have served over 60,000 families and one Keeley'n was asked to join the Urban League Board. With over $2 million in donations and gifts contributed to this effort, we have witnessed firsthand that "Together We Make a Difference." Our people were also able to get out and work with the Urban League on November 21 and December 19 to ensure that those in need would make it through the holidays without worry. We are proud to work alongside the Urban League and support their incredible mission. Click here to learn more about our work this summer.
Pedal the Cause is another organization that is near and dear to our hearts. This year, the annual Pedal the Cause weekend event was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, they were able to pivot and the event was completely virtual with participants riding from wherever they were during the weekend. KDG supported this initiative by helping pack up boxes that were mailed to every participant with necessities for their ride – jersey, jersey number, sunglasses, and swag. While we missed participating in the event we know and love, we were proud to still be able to give back to Pedal the Cause and support the mission founded by our founder, Bill Koman.
As tradition, our apartment communities adopt local St. Louis families in desperate need of assistance. This year, both Clayton on the Park and Chroma each adopted three families to support this holiday season – with everything from clean linens, food, and clothing to toys, furniture, and basic household necessities.
Clayton on the Park worked with United Way’s 100 Neediest Families campaign, waiting until the last minute to pick up families that would not otherwise be adopted. We only had one week to fill their Christmas with joy, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the community rally together to raise thousands of dollars in gifts and monetary donations. We know the incredible impact this has because we personally deliver the gifts, as well as large Christmas meals generously donated by Café Napoli & Kingside Diner, to each adopted family. The smiles on their faces are priceless!
Chroma worked with Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation’s Holiday Outreach program to support families that reside in their own neighborhood, The Grove. These families’ health and well-being were further compromised this year due to COVID-19. Donations were entirely online this year to keep volunteers and families safe while giving much needed support. Chroma residents selected a holiday ornament from the giving tree and donated gift cards, grocery cards, and utility bill assistance. Our hope is that they could feel the love from their neighbors!
Together our team members, residents, and friends volunteer to help wrap gifts, shop with donation money, purchase gift cards, or deliver gifts to make the holiday season a bit brighter and ease some burdens for our adopted families.
Growth of Our People
Our people are our greatest asset and are the reason we are where we are today. As CEO, Rusty Keeley says, “If you get the people right, results will follow.” We take the time to help nurture our people and give them the resources and opportunities they need to grow within the company and reach their career goals. Our people truly are the core of what we do.
In 2020, KDG was fortunate to add six new team members to our growing family of over 30 real estate professionals. We welcomed these new team members in roles such as Resident Specialist, Property Manager, and Maintenance Technician. We are always looking for talent to join the KDG team. To view current openings or reach out to HR for more information, visit the Join Us page on our website.
Project Progress
This year, KDG kicked off construction of our latest multifamily development located in the Central West End. The development sits on 1.4 acres and is a seven-story, ground-up, multifamily residential building featuring 205 apartments above a secure parking garage. Unit floor plans are practical and versatile, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms and introducing “micro-units” to the St. Louis market at an average of 386 square feet. KDG is proud to partner with L. Keeley Construction and Lamar Johnson Collaborative to bring this project to life.
Due to great weather this fall and the dedicated construction team at L. Keeley, most of the sitework will be wrapped up in December. The parking garage is well underway, and we are forming and pouring the first elevated deck. The tower crane is up, ready to start going vertical in the new year. Finally, our development team is coordinating the A&E and construction management, finalizing the design of the interiors, and planning for pre-leasing launch in 2021. Click here to learn more about the project.
Our pipeline is full of exciting projects under development in addition to 4545 Laclede, including Olive Crossing and Cortex K. Olive Crossing is the exciting 14.8-acre redevelopment of a critical corner fronting Olive and I-170, redefining the pathway from the airport into St. Louis' urban core. The dynamic environment features over 300,000 square feet of Class A office space, a 160-key dual-brand Marriott hotel, and several local, regional and national food concepts assembled to create a culinary experience unrivaled in the area. Click here to learn more about the project.
Cortex K. will serve as the major gateway to the Cortex Innovation District, offering a diversity of uses within a campus that connects St. Louis' technology hub with the Grove’s strong cultural district. The mixed use development fuses live/work/play with dynamic spaces, shared amenities, and synergies. Click here to learn more about Cortex K.
We could not be more excited for 2021 and what the future holds for KDG!