The $150 million mixed-use development brings modern living, new amenities, and a growing sense of community to St. Charles County.

A growing community in St. Charles County is welcoming a major new development designed to bring residents together through modern housing, shared amenities, and thoughtfully planned gathering spaces.

Prairie Encore, a $150 million mixed-use development in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, is taking shape with the help of St. Louis-based contractor MBG and developer Mia Rose Holdings.

The project combines contemporary residential living with community-focused design, while demonstrating the importance of construction planning, coordination, and adaptability in delivering a complex development.

A New Approach to Community Living

Located approximately 40 minutes west of downtown St. Louis, Dardenne Prairie has evolved into a growing residential community of approximately 15,000 residents.

Prairie Encore introduces a modern multifamily living experience to the area, with its first phase featuring a 190-unit, four-story apartment community.

Designed by Glen Carbon, Illinois-based Hurford Architects, the development incorporates clean architectural finishes, contemporary layouts, and amenities that encourage residents to connect.

Community features include:

  • Modern apartments with nine-foot ceilings and in-unit laundry
  • Backlit vanity mirrors and updated interior finishes
  • Two interior courtyards featuring a swimming pool, grilling stations, and fire pits
  • Indoor lounge areas and shared gathering spaces
  • A fitness center, conference rooms, and leasing office
  • Outdoor recreational amenities, including a dog park and covered parking

These features reflect a growing emphasis on creating residential environments that extend beyond individual living spaces to support a connected community.

Navigating a Complex Construction Schedule

While Prairie Encore offers an inviting residential experience, delivering the project required careful planning behind the scenes.

The development’s distinctive figure-eight building configuration presented logistical and scheduling challenges, particularly as construction progressed through multiple phases.

MBG’s team developed a strategic construction sequence that allowed work to continue while portions of the development became occupied.

One of the project’s most significant challenges involved maintaining access to the building as construction continued.

Rather than waiting for the entire project to reach completion, the team coordinated the first phase of construction to accommodate residents moving into finished units while work continued on subsequent phases.

This required close collaboration among construction teams, local building authorities, and project partners to ensure safe access and efficient operations.

Collaboration Keeps the Project Moving

MBG worked closely with local building officials to coordinate access, prioritize safety, and maintain clean, accessible spaces for residents.

The construction team also adjusted its approach to accommodate evolving site conditions and the logistical demands of an increasingly occupied property.

By carefully sequencing work and maintaining communication among project stakeholders, MBG successfully completed the first phase while keeping the larger development moving forward.

The project illustrates how flexibility, proactive communication, and creative problem-solving can help construction teams navigate the challenges of phased residential development.

Supporting Growth in St. Charles County

Prairie Encore represents a significant investment in Dardenne Prairie and the broader St. Charles County region.

As communities throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area continue to grow, mixed-use developments like Prairie Encore are helping introduce new housing options and amenities that respond to changing residential needs.

The development also highlights the contributions of regional contractors, architects, and developers in shaping the next generation of communities.

Building More Than Apartments

Prairie Encore demonstrates that successful construction is about more than delivering a finished building.

From navigating a challenging site configuration to coordinating construction around incoming residents, MBG’s work reflects the value of strategic planning, collaboration, and adaptability.

As the development continues to take shape, Prairie Encore stands as an example of how thoughtful design and effective construction management can help create spaces where communities grow and connections thrive.

Source: Construction News and Review, Q4 2026, “Inside the Figure 8: MBG Navigates Complex Phasing to Deliver Prairie Encore on Time,” by Matt Smithmier.