The Big Reveal: Inside the Chase Park Plaza Penthouse

Written By Barbara Jacobitti

Photography By Matt Marcincowski

It’s rare to find an indoor space that can compete with a 360-degree view of the city it towers over, but the penthouse on the top two floors of a landmark building in St. Louis does just that– with ease. The stunning open living and dining space at the top of the Chase Park Plaza features 22-foot ceilings and six bay windows that overlook Forest Park and the historic homes of the Central West End.

The before shot of the penthouse atop the Chase Park Plaza in the Central West End.

“We wanted to keep the wow of the volume and the dramatic nature of the space,” says Allen Roehrig, Principal with Mainline Group Architecture, Inc. And they did.

What is now the main living area fills what used to be the 27th and 28th floors of the Tiara Room, a ballroom inside the Park Plaza. The rest of the Chase Park Plaza complex is a mix of residencies, hotel rooms, dining and entertainment spots that have all been redesigned since being built in the 1920s. For decades, headliners like Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and the Rat Pack walked through the doors to entertain.

The current owner is a headliner in his own realm: Dr. Michael Noble is the Chairman of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Mercy Medical Center. He worked closely with Roehrig on the plans for the penthouse. He agreed when Roehrig thought dividing the two floors, as earlier plans suggested, would “ruin it.” Dr. Noble, who has an interest in helicopters, actually flew Roehrig around the building during the purchase process for a birds-eye view of the project they were undertaking.

From the initial walkthrough inside, Roehrig’s first thought was to raise the floor to take advantage of the panoramic views through the bay windows. He says, “Before, you had to walk up to the window to look out.”

Now, just three steps up from the lobby’s elevator, one is greeted by the expansive living space and spectacular view through the 13’x 6” high bay windows– the treetops of Forest Park and the Saint Louis Art Museum in the distance. Those views, along with multi-color rooftops of the surrounding buildings, and a wide expanse of sky are visible from most anywhere in the living room and kitchen area. Even the floor-to-ceiling windows of the dining room offer guests the opportunity to dine among the stars or shoot pool in the clouds; a convertible pool table is in place more often than a set dining table.

The pool table converts into a dining table.

Behind the carved limestone fireplace at the other end of the living room is a glass enclosed solarium. At the solarium end of the living room is the dining area, seating and a television. Tucked behind a walnut wall, a Murphy bed is hidden for impromptu “outdoor” sleeping.

“There are two glass pocket doors with glass transoms that separate this room from the living room,” says Roehrig. “This gives them the ability to roll open the large sliding doors. So technically you are not under the stars but very much part of the street noise and breezes.”

The outside is incorporated throughout the space. The master bedroom is replete with two walk out balconies. Facing East, the view for the master and the other bedrooms is of course the city and the Arch, along with a glimpse of the riverfront.

Dr. Noble enjoyed the planning and building process, so much that he said, “If I didn’t have a day job, I could have pulled up a lawn chair and watched it all happen, imagining what it would be like.” He enjoyed keeping an eye on the details with Roehrig and the project manager, Jim Doss of McMillan Construction Group. And the details were aplenty! For example, the mirror that pops up in the dressing vanity in the master bathroom is retractable so the view isn’t obstructed when the mirror is not in use. The terrazzo floors were installed with decorative details at both ends of the living room, leading to the sliding glass doors that open to the outside. A tall fountain can be found on one of the back walls, providing a trickle of soft, soothing sound in nicer temperatures, or spreading a touch of humidity for the winter months.

Roehrig’s team did the interior design as well, choosing much of the furniture. Dr. Noble added a few quirky accessories like a silver-frosted tree trunk coffee table, and a bar table that features the rotor head of a helicopter.

The living room features two large seating areas in high contrast black and white. A pair of abstract paintings by St. Louis artist Alicia LaChance add a shot of color. The herringbone white oak hardwood flooring is set off with borders of maple and walnut. The decorative wall sconces that adorn the Mountain White marble pilasters were custom made to replicate a deco fixture that existed in the main dining hall of the building years ago.

“It’s great for entertaining,” Dr. Noble and his fiancée, Theresa Pulley, say of the 30’ x 80’ space. “When we have a party there’s plenty of room to move around.” The striking free-standing kitchen is both decorative and functional as it floats midway between the windows and back wall, boasting rounded ends. The details are reminiscent of a crossing on a glamourous ocean liner of the 1930s. Countertops and walls were created in shades of gray and white. Pierre Gris light brown marble contains a ground glass resin inlay. The stools at the counter provide seating for quick meals and can be lowered when the crowd calls for setup in the dining room, leaving the empty island as a perfect buffet serving station. That convertible pool table changes into a 16-seater when the additional leaves are added. There’s a custom designed cart handy just for that purpose.

Up the curving staircase is a window-lined corner office, cozy walnut bar and bookshelves that contrast with the lighter main floor. The metal arch set into the cabinet doors reference the arched window in the adjacent library. A brick wall and architectural feature of terra cotta from the original exterior of the space add a bit of history to the modern space. “This element was made part of the interior in the 1950s when they added these large glass storefront elements on what was an exterior terrace making them interior spaces,” says Roehrig.

Below that second-floor office is where the master suite is, along with two guest bedrooms, a bar and storage area. The spacious master bath features a general seating area, windows with a view toward Downtown, and a fireplace. The large bathtub invites the user to sit back and relax while watching the television, just above the fireplace. Just past the closest area is a 10’ x 15’ double shower. It has a 24” rain head, and there are doors that lead from the shower to the private terrace. That outside terrace in the master suite opens to the exclusive and luxurious 360-degree view.

“Was it worth spending two and a half years to make it happen?” Dr. Noble doesn’t hesitate as he adds, “I think it turned out fantastic.”

The Fully Loaded Penthouse