Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Closes on Purchase of Caleres Headquarters

December 22, 2025 — On Friday, December 19, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) closed on the purchase of 6.67 acres in Clayton, Missouri after the conclusion of an 11-month due diligence process. The site, located at 8300 Maryland Avenue and previously owned by Caleres, will be redeveloped as a new, state-of-the-art performing arts center to be owned and operated by OTSL.

“We are excited and humbled to step into this new chapter,” said Opera Theatre’s General Director Andrew Jorgensen. “This land purchase is the single most significant transaction in our 50-year history and will be transformative for our organization as we plan for a new, permanent home that will add to the artistic vibrancy of our region. This moment is only possible thanks to the extraordinary generosity and support of our community, and we look forward to being in dialogue with OTSL’s audiences, local arts partners, and Clayton stakeholders about how this site can become a civic asset that serves the entire region.”

The organization views the purchase as an important milestone in a multi-year, community-informed process. In the months ahead, OTSL looks forward to soliciting input and feedback from Clayton residents, members of the community, and OTSL audiences while working with the City of Clayton on permitting and design approvals for the performing arts center.

“While we are full of optimism and excitement, we still have a great deal of work to do to realize our vision for a new home,” said Jorgensen. “I want to thank Webster University for their decades of collaboration and support — we look forward to presenting several more seasons at the Loretto-Hilton Center and continuing our partnership with the university for many years beyond that.”

Now in its 50^th year, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is a nationally and internationally acclaimed producer of both classic and new operas, as well as an incubator of American talent on- and off-stage. OTSL has produced 45 world premieres and 27 American premieres during its history, many of which have gone on to stages around the world, including The Metropolitan Opera and beyond. In fall 2025, the company was honored by the International Opera Awards with a nomination for the “Best Festival” award.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has operated in the Loretto-Hilton Center at Webster University since its founding in 1976; the proposed new performing arts center in Clayton would unite all of Opera Theatre’s activities — performances, administration, and rehearsals — under one roof. Given the expanded year-round presence a new performing arts center will offer, early studies indicate that the proposed redevelopment of the Caleres site could increase the region’s GDP by approximately $3.9 million and generate new tax revenue of more than $800,000 annually.

Clayton will continue to be the home of Caleres’ headquarters. The company will lease space at 8300 Maryland Avenue through mid-2026, at which point it plans to move into its new home at 8182 Maryland Avenue and 8235 Forsyth Boulevard.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that our current property will be redeveloped by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis — like us, an organization with deep roots in the St. Louis community,” said Jay Schmidt, President and CEO of Caleres. “Their new performing arts center will benefit not only Clayton but the entire St. Louis metro area. I’m equally pleased that Caleres is staying in Clayton, moving just two blocks east of our current location next summer. Our new space will embody our culture, celebrate our brands, showcase our commitment to craft and connect our Associates.”