Skyview: St. Charles’ 1st Street Plaza

Nestled along the Fox River, the new downtown 1st Street Plaza in St. Charles has a lot to offer.

Seen from above with a Daily Herald drone at about 115 feet, the design of the plaza by Serena Sturm Architects really comes to life.

Plenty of outdoor tables invite visitors to grab a bite from one of the many local restaurants.

The new plaza offers a central location for fairs and festivals, entertainment and events, or just enjoying the views. It creates a welcoming spot to gather in the already popular downtown St. Charles area.

The city originally broke ground on the project in September 2021. The total project cost was $6.4 million with $4.9 million coming from the city’s coffers and $1.5 million through grants and fundraising.