CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – Demolition has begun at the old Chesterfield Mall. In its place will stand something the city has never had before.

“The Chesterfield Mall has come and gone, and we have a new beginning,” Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation said.

As the sign atop the old mall collapses to the ground, the process of clearing the way for Downtown Chesterfield begins. Nation says he is excited for the future, as the city says goodbye to the old fixture.

“The vision for what is to be created, I think, is completely appropriate and complementary,” Nation said.

It will take about six months to complete demolition operations. After that, construction will begin on the new complex, which will feature apartment buildings, retail shops, a park, and more.

The Staenberg Group is going to be building everything. Founder Michael Staenberg says the city has a lot to look forward to.

“This is going to change the metropolitan area,” Staenberg said. “It’s going to be unique. There’s not going to be anything like this anywhere else in the United States.”

The mall had stood since the mid-1970s, with some very prosperous years leading up to the 2000s.

Staenburg Group Senior Vice President of Development Tim Lowe says the new complex will give city residents new options.

“You have amenities right at your doorstep,” he said. “You have public amenities like parks and things like that, so it just creates a new environment.”

Kent Herschelder used to own a restaurant at the mall. He says he’ll remember his time there.

“I’m sorry to see the mall go, but again, things move on. I got my souvenir brick, which, after all those years, I think I deserve,” he said.