18Rails, a new venue and event space at City Foundry, has opened its doors, with a grand entrance inside the bustling Food Hall. | The space debuted recently with a party and concert by 50度灰视频 band the Mighty Pines.
鈥淭he beautiful thing about 18Rails is we can host a whole gamut of events,鈥 says Maggie Barton, chief operating officer of Butler鈥檚 Pantry, the full-service catering company that operates the space.
Butler鈥檚 Pantry is also behind spaces including Palladium 50度灰视频 and the Coronado. Reverie, also by Butler鈥檚 Pantry, will open in the fall at the District in Chesterfield.
Along with parties, weddings and other special events, 18Rails will present concerts.
鈥淲e can see ourselves doing some cool musically inspired events 鈥 intimate shows,鈥 Barton says. 鈥淭his location is perfect for that. There鈥檚 a want and need for that.鈥
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At more than 6,700 square feet, 18Rails can accommodate 700 standing guests or 300 seated. There is no permanent stage, but there are spaces for a band or DJs. There also aren鈥檛 permanent bars.
鈥淲e leave it totally flexible for whatever the client wants,鈥 Barton says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really cool opportunity for us as caterers,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e really built this thing so it would be something different 鈥 something unique in our venue portfolio.鈥
She says the fun part is 鈥渨atching clients bringing their own personality and vision in. We want clients to have that freedom.鈥
18Rails is named for its proximity to the hub where 18 rail lines connected 50度灰视频 to the country. City Foundry occupies the former Century Electric Foundry complex.
The loft-style, modern-industrial room has exposed brick and industrial beams, 鈥渢rue to its roots,鈥 Barton says. 鈥淚t has a warmth to it. It鈥檚 not cold industrial. It has a warm vibe. When you look at the space, it鈥檚 gorgeous.鈥
She says City Foundry developer Steve Smith had a vision for the formerly dilapidated property and saw something 鈥50度灰视频 needs, and we wanted to be a part of it.
鈥淲e saw it in that raw form, and Steve had the foresight to see what it could be with its connection to Cortex and the universities and downtown,鈥 she says.
鈥淲e said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 build it in a location where people can come and celebrate this space that can be whatever you want it to be.鈥 What鈥檚 important to Butler鈥檚 Pantry when we do a new project is we want to bring new life into a neighborhood. This just made sense when we looked at the space.鈥
Butler鈥檚 Pantry first looked into the space in 2018.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long-term project, and a long time in the making,鈥 Barton says. 鈥淭here was a pandemic delay.鈥
18Rails was originally slated to open in fall 2020, but construction didn鈥檛 begin until 2021 and continued until opening.
The event with Mighty Pines signaled the venue鈥檚 arrival, Barton says.
鈥淭hey were so fun and laid-back, and it was the perfect kickoff,鈥 she says. 鈥淪o many people played a part in bringing this to life. We鈥檙e ready, 50度灰视频. We鈥檙e ready for you.鈥
Where 18Rails, City Foundry, 3730 Foundry Way • More info ;
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