The Lodge at Des Peres

Des Peres, MO
Construction Cost: $19.34 million
Area / Square Feet: 76,365
Occupancy Date: November 2003

The design of The Lodge provides a community center environment that’s different from nearby community centers.

To take advantage of the 10.9-acre site’s topography, the two-story components housing the gym and pool appear to be one story tall at the main entry, yet preserve views and permit natural lighting via a two-story elevation at the rear. The tight site required a compact water park design that allows parents to watch their children in different activity zones from one location.

The Lodge incorporates a variety of user functions within a single facility. The free zone of the building includes classrooms, a child-care area, administrative offices, meeting rooms, a television viewing lounge and a large social space in the lobby. Primary recreation components include a two-court gymnasium, an elevated jogging track, a fitness center, a wave pool, a lap pool, and a multipurpose dance and aerobics room. The facility also includes an expansive outdoor water park with a tot spray garden, a cool-water whirlpool, a lazy river, slides and a bathhouse/concessions stand.

Interior finishes were carefully selected to replicate the warm, comforting environment of a mountain ski lodge. Natural stone used on the outside is also brought inside to the main lobby space. Exposed Douglas fir timbers provide an ambiance that is nontraditional in a typical Midwest community center. A slate floor at the upper level enhances that feel of warmth and durability.