TriStar Properties has begun construction on two buildings in Westport Commerce Center, a new 1.3 million-SF, master-planned industrial park in West St. Louis County.

The two 194,480-SF buildings — the first of six buildings planned for the park — are located at 15737 River Valley Drive in Maryland Heights, Mo., just minutes from Highways 141 and 364 and Interstates 270 and 70.

Westport Commerce Center is the first major Class A development in the Westport area in more than 30 years, according to David Branding, managing director for commercial real estate firm JLL and leasing agent for the property.

“The location of this development is significant,” said Branding. “It sits at the nexus of St. Louis and St. Charles counties, which have a combined total population of 2+ million people. With the growing popularity of online sales and the demand for final mile delivery services, it’s exactly where industrial tenants want to be.”

The Westport project will add to an estimated 3 million square feet of industrial space currently under construction in the region. Industrial vacancy is at a historic low in the region, and the reopening of the post-COVID economy is resulting in increased demand for warehouse space, according to JLL research.

“We recognized a void for last-mile distribution in the St. Louis metropolitan area, specifically in close proximity to the Page and 141 interchanges, so we went in search of the ideal location. Westport is the epicenter of the market, and this development is as close as you can get to the center for a project of this magnitude,” said Michael Towerman, principal of TriStar Properties.

The development offers the first 10-year real estate tax abatement in this submarket. Average taxes are estimated at $0.06/SF— a possible savings of more than $1 million over a 10-year occupancy, compared to other Westport properties (based on a 70,000-SF lease).