IMEG provided engineering and design services for the full adaptive re-use of a former YMCA in downtown St. Louis into a 21c Museum Hotel, a full-service boutique hotel, art museum, and restaurant. The 10-story YMCA building was constructed in 1926 in the Renaissance Revival style with some Gothic elements and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The renovation adhered to requirements from the SHPO for the historic preservation aspects of the building.

The museum is open free-of-charge to the public year-round and the property features a unique, independently branded chef-driven food and beverage concept and rooftop venue.

In addition to 173 guest rooms and suites, the property features exhibition, meeting, and event space showcasing rotating curated exhibitions, interactive site-specific art
installations, and a roster of cultural programming based on collaborations with local and national arts organizations.

Many stakeholders participated in the detailed design process. IMEG worked with the owner, operator, project manager, contracting group, art installation designers, interior designers,
lighting designer, spa designer, and the architect to coordinate the complex spaces through managed meetings and the documentation process. Early involvement by all involved parties was a major key to success.

The building is equipped with a 400-ton cooling tower and 7,500,000 BTUH boiler plant to produce condenser water for distributed heat pumps and air handling equipment, including dedicated outside air units and a pool dehumidification unit. A new 3000A, 480V electrical service was coordinated for the building with 600kW emergency generator that includes supporting optional loads desired by the operator.

Full technology systems in the building provide structured cabling, security, and AV systems for many of the amenity, ballroom, and museum spaces. Detailed coordination was involved in providing high performing AV systems within the historic context of the building. Creative placement of equipment and routing of systems due to non-stacking floor program spaces allowed the architecture and interior design to be highlighted while modernizing the buildings mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology systems.