Nearly 300-unit complex, retail space breaks ground along Delmar Loop, is expected to boost business
Subtext announced the plans to bring around 270 apartments, townhomes as well as retail space to the western end of the Delmar Loop last year.
UNIVERSITY CITY (First Alert 4) -- Construction crews and developers broke “vertical” ground along the Delmar Loop Tuesday, promising an “elevated” living experience to residents and a boost to nearby businesses.
“We build our projects to increase the vibrancy of the community,” co-founder of Subtext Brandt Stiles told First Alert 4. “We really look for communities that already have strong character.”
Subtext announced the plans to bring around 270 apartments and townhomes, as well as retail space, to the western end of the Delmar Loop last year.
The development, 6650 Delmar Blvd., is across the street from popular restaurant Corner 17 and next to Vintage Vinyl.
Subtext says the complex, named “LOCAL on Delmar” will also host nearly 400 parking spaces in a “secure, attached garage” and over 7,000 square feet of vibrant street-level retail with an outdoor dining patio.
The complex will include 12,000 square feet of shared amenity space and will allow residents to walk out of their front doors and take advantage of all the Loop has to offer.
It’s a welcome addition to longtime Loop favorites, as well as fresh faces looking for a boost in business.
“Until they finish the building, it will be a little slow for me,” Neha Barot, owner of Brew Bites, told First Alert 4.
“We just opened up in August, and business has been slower at this end [of the Loop],” Barot said.
Even during popular Loop events, like the 2025 Loop Ice Carnival, Barot said potential customers walked past her business and flocked to the eastern end of the Loop.
The thought of hundreds of potential new customers next door to her new business is exciting, Barot said.
“If more people know about me and more people come this side, that will be very beneficial to my business,” Barot said.
As business looks ahead to a boom in the West Loop, leaders with the East Loop Community Improvement District, the stretch of Delmar east of Limit Avenue, also detail revitalization efforts to the area, including:
- Over 10 new Businesses opened in the East Loop in the past two years
- Five new businesses slated to open in the East Loop in 2025
- Crime in the East Loop dropping 40% from 2023 to 2024
“We’re seeing some amazing momentum in the Delmar Loop on both the East and West,” Samantha Smugala with the East Loop CID said. “We are excited to see this growth continue.”
The recent groundbreaking comes as Delmar Loop staple Peacock Diner closed its doors after serving customers for a decade. It’s a loss Stiles believes a boost in foot traffic could help prevent.
“We really focused on delivering a high-quality but contextual project that’s going to stand the test of time architecturally and fit in with the local character of the community,” Stiles said.
“LOCAL on Delmar” is set to welcome residents in August 2026.
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