Steve Smith Returns to the Forum to Explore What’s Next for St. Louis
Date Posted: June 30, 2026
Posted In: Featured, Ideas, What we are thinking about,
The New + Found founder and Lawrence Group chairman returns 12 years after becoming one of Construction Forum’s earliest featured speakers to examine how St. Louis has changed—and where it goes next.
by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum
When Steve Smith spoke at a Construction Forum event in 2014, he was only the second featured speaker in the organization’s history. Much of what he discussed that morning—reimagining neighborhoods, reconnecting communities, and leveraging thoughtful development to strengthen St. Louis—was still aspirational
On Thursday, July 23, Smith returns to the Forum for a fireside conversation that will revisit those ideas from a very different vantage point.
The program, to be held from 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at City Foundry STL, will explore the evolution of one of the region’s most influential developers and the projects that have helped reshape St. Louis over the past decade.
As Founder and CEO of New + Found and Chairman of Lawrence Group, Smith has played a central role in many of the region’s most recognizable redevelopment efforts, including City Foundry STL, Angad Arts Hotel, the Syndicate Trust Building, and the continuing transformation of Midtown. Most recently, New + Found acquired Mansion House, where the firm is pursuing a long-term redevelopment strategy aimed at preserving one of downtown’s landmark residential communities while positioning it for its next chapter.
Beyond individual projects, Smith has emerged as one of downtown St. Louis’ most visible advocates. He has been an active voice in discussions surrounding public policy, investment, adaptive reuse, and the future of the city’s urban core, frequently emphasizing the importance of restoring confidence in downtown while creating neighborhoods where people choose to live, work, and gather.
The conversation will also examine the role historic tax credits have played in preserving and repurposing many of St. Louis’ signature buildings. Throughout his career, Smith has been among the region’s strongest proponents of historic rehabilitation as an economic development strategy, arguing that adaptive reuse can create both financial value and stronger, more authentic communities.
Appropriately, the conversation will take place inside one of those success stories.
City Foundry STL has become more than a successful adaptive reuse development. It has emerged as a destination for entertainment, dining, employment, housing, and innovation, illustrating many of the planning and placemaking principles Smith has championed throughout his career.
The discussion will look beyond individual developments to examine broader questions facing the region, including the future of downtown, neighborhood investment, public-private partnerships, office-to-residential conversions, historic preservation, and what it takes to build momentum in a legacy city.
Rather than focusing solely on completed projects, the fireside chat will explore lessons learned, the challenges that remain, and Smith’s perspective on the next chapter of growth for St. Louis and its built environment.
For Construction Forum, the event represents something of a full-circle moment.
Smith helped shape the Forum’s early years as one of its first featured speakers. Twelve years later, he returns to continue a conversation that has evolved alongside both the organization and the city itself.
Registration is free, but required. Those wishing to attend should register in advance by clicking here.
The July 23 program begins with networking at 7:30 AM, followed by the fireside chat from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at City Foundry STL.