Look up in downtown St. Louis and you can’t miss it. It’s that massive, rust-colored granite giant with the pointy green roof that seems to follow you around the city. We’re talking about One Metropolitan Square, or as locals usually call it, Met Square St Louis. It isn't just another office building; it’s the tallest skyscraper in the city, standing at 593 feet.
Honestly, it’s kinda funny how we take it for granted. Completed in 1989, it’s been the king of the skyline for over three decades. But being the "tallest" in 2026 means something very different than it did in the '80s. With the shift toward remote work and the "death of the office" narrative, you might wonder if this 1.5 million-square-foot behemoth is just a relic.
It isn't. Not even close.
The Architecture of Met Square St Louis: More Than Just Height
You've probably noticed the color. It’s not that boring glass-blue you see in every modern city. The architects at Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK) used eight different types of granite and marble.
The base is wrapped in Baltic Brown granite, while the tower itself glows with a sort of golden-brown hue. It was designed to look "timeless," which basically meant blending the old-school masonry of St. Louis with the power-suit energy of the 1980s.
Why the Lobby is Actually Worth a Visit
Seriously. Most people just walk past the doors on Pine Street, but the lobby is a 50-foot-high marble cathedral. It’s got a four-story glass front and original art commissioned just for the space.
There’s a retail area down there modeled after London’s Burlington Arcade. It’s got that "old world" vibe that feels expensive without trying too hard. If you’re ever downtown and need a place to feel small, stand in the middle of that lobby. It works.
Who Actually Lives (Works) in Met Square?
For a long time, Met Square was the "lawyer building." It still is, mostly. Big names like Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and Brown & Crouppen have called it home for years.
But things changed recently. In 2020, the USDA signed a massive 20-year lease for about 163,000 square feet. That brought roughly 1,000 employees into the building. It was a huge win for downtown.
Current Major Tenants:
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner: The legal heavyweights.
- USDA: The government anchor.
- HOK: The guys who actually designed the building.
- Better Business Bureau: Keeping things honest.
- Greater St. Louis Inc.: The folks trying to grow the region's economy.
The occupancy rate has hovered around 80% to 90% over the last few years. In a world where some downtown towers are sitting half-empty, Met Square St Louis is holding its own. It helps that 601 West Associates (the owners) and JLL (the management) have poured money into keeping it "Class A."
The "Top of the Met" and the Food Scene
If you’ve lived in St. Louis long enough, you remember Kemoll’s. For years, Kemoll’s and its "Top of the Met" banquet space were the peak of fine dining—literally.
The views from the 42nd floor are unbeatable. You’re looking down on the Gateway Arch. The Mississippi River looks like a ribbon from up there. While the restaurant scene in the building has shifted (Java Plus is the go-to for a quick breakfast now), that 42nd floor remains one of the most coveted spots for a wedding or a high-stakes corporate gala.
What People Get Wrong About the Height
Here is a fun fact to use at parties: One Metropolitan Square is the tallest building in St. Louis, but it is not the tallest structure.
The Gateway Arch is 630 feet tall. Met Square is 593 feet.
There was actually an unwritten rule (and some historical height restrictions) about not outshining the Arch. Met Square respects the Arch, but it towers over every other office building, including the AT&T Center and the Eagleton Courthouse.
The 2014 Drone Incident
Remember when someone crashed a drone into the building? It was a DJI Phantom. It hit the tower back in May 2014, and for a hot second, everyone was worried about security. It turned out to be just a hobbyist who lost control, but it highlighted how this building is a magnet for attention.
Why Met Square St Louis Still Matters in 2026
Cities are changing. St. Louis is trying to pivot from a traditional business hub to a tech and innovation center. You see this with the Cortex district and the NGA development.
Met Square is the bridge.
It provides the scale that large agencies and firms need while offering amenities that keep people coming into the office. We're talking about an on-site fitness center on the 19th floor, a full-service auto detail shop in the parking garage, and even a shoe shine stand. It’s that "concierge" lifestyle that smaller buildings can’t replicate.
Is it Worth the Hype?
Honestly, yeah.
If you’re a business owner, the prestige of the address still carries weight. If you’re a tourist, the architecture is a great example of Postmodernism done right. It’s not a "dead" building. It’s a vertical neighborhood.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Met Square:
- Public Access: You can't just wander into the offices, but the lobby and the ground-floor retail are open. Check out the murals; they're genuinely impressive.
- Parking: Use the entrance on Pine Street. It’s one of the few downtown garages that doesn't feel like a subterranean dungeon.
- Photography: The best angle for a photo of the building isn't from the sidewalk below. Go to Kiener Plaza. You can get the building and the Old Courthouse in the same frame for a perfect "Old meets New" shot.
- Leasing: If you're looking for office space, don't assume it's out of reach. They often have smaller suites (around 2,000 sq ft) available on the middle floors that give you the "tallest building" perk without needing a USDA-sized budget.
One Metropolitan Square isn't going anywhere. It’s the anchor of the St. Louis skyline, and even as the world changes, that green roof remains our North Star.
Keep an eye on the 42nd floor—it's still the best place in the city to see the sunset over the West End.