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Millennium Hotel Story Collection
As the former Millennium Hotel comes down, memories are preserved.
Gateway Arch Park Foundation purchased the former Millennium Hotel site in July 2025, putting the property, which had been vacant for more than a decade, back into the hands of St. Louis for the first time in 26 years. After determining the site could not be restored, demolition began in November to make way for The Cordish Companies’ $670 million redevelopment. Now, the 28-story north tower that has defined the St. Louis skyline since 1968 and housed the rotating “Top of the Riverfront” restaurant is being dismantled floor by floor.
While the hotel itself is being demolished and is on its way to becoming something new for our city, the Foundation found it critical to preserve this iconic site’s history after seeing the outpouring of community stories each time the redevelopment of the Millennium Hotel made news headlines.
That’s why we built the Millennium Hotel Story Collection Project, which aims to collect those memories and photos, holding them for future generations.
The Top of the Riverfront restaurant is the undeniable heart of these memories—countless anniversaries, proposals, weddings, and family meals happened on the hotel’s rotating 28th floor. The panoramic views of the city were hard to beat. In just one 90-minute rotation, diners looked over (both iterations of) Busch Stadium, Downtown St. Louis, and Gateway Arch National Park. Families gathered for special occasions, from birthdays to Fourth of July fireworks. The Sunday brunch was a favorite among locals, featuring an impressive 100 menu items. Celebrities flocked to the hotel, dining at the rotating restaurant and attending events in the renowned ballrooms. How do we know this? Our community told us.
Since November of last year, more than 100 community members have submitted their memories to our digital archive, each chronicling a trip to the hotel.
Oftentimes these reference a common phenomenon caused by the rotating dining platform:
“November 15th, 1975, my wife and I went there for dinner. We were celebrating our first wedding anniversary. My wife set her purse on the window sill. She didn’t realize we were rotating until her purse was at the next table. Lovely restaurant and amazing view at night. Definitely one of our favorite memories.” (1975)
For others, the hotel was their first introduction to St. Louis:
“The very first time I came to St. Louis was for an all-day job interview with Union Electric at 18th and Gratiot. When it came time for lunch, they took me to the Top of the Riverfront so I could see the entire city that I might be moving to. I got the job - spent my entire 36- year career there - and I am still here.” (1977)
The site saw countless engagements:
“On the evening of October 1, 1976, my “date” and I had dinner and a beautiful view of St Louis and the Arch. Afterward, we stood directly under the Arch at midnight, when he proposed and we became officially engaged. The location was significant since he was from Illinois and I was from Missouri - where East met West. On March 5, 2027, we will celebrate 50 years of marriage.” (1976)
And a visit to the hotel often included trips to other St. Louis attractions:
“We took advantage of the special room rate that night, leaving the party about midnight. Our American Express charge was $44.75 ($35 room + $3.75 tax + $6 Stadium Garage parking). The next day we enjoyed brunch at the tower restaurant ($24.44), attended Noon Mass at The Old Cathedral, took a Tram Ride to the top of the Arch ($3), and arrived at The Fox Theatre in plenty of time for the 3 PM performance (for which our tickets cost $37.55).” (1997)
We’ve heard from former hotel staff members with fond memories of the site:
“One of the more memorable stories is when I had the opportunity to work along with the Secret Service advance detail and welcomed President Gerald Ford to the hotel. Here I was, a guy who grew up in North County, standing in front of one of the best hotels in [the] country, shaking hands and welcoming the president of the United States to our city and our hotel. For someone in their mid 20’s it didn’t get much better than that!” (1974)
And from community members who are happy parts of the site will live on:
“We ended the dinner promising to meet back there in ten years, hoping we would do so every decade. The hotel closed shortly after we left St. Louis. Maybe the new development will have a restaurant we can meet up at once it’s all built and make up for the lost reunion, but for now we have the memory of beginning our adult lives spinning around, bursting with optimism.” (2012)
As redevelopment of the former hotel site continues, we look forward to hearing from more of our community members. Just as the former hotel was a gathering place to connect, spend time together, and make memories, it’s our hope that people will find community in the shared history and stories of this iconic site.