Draft:Michael Staenberg

  • Comment: Already stated as not notable but only change since resubmission was removal of sources so not sure how that would help. This is also WP:TNT territory as far as promotional tone. CNMall41 (talk) 16:39, 22 July 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: You have neither asserted nor verified the notability for this WP:ROTM real estate agent. 🇵🇸‍🇺🇦 FiddleTimtrent FaddleTalk to me 🇺🇦‍🇵🇸 07:31, 17 June 2025 (UTC)


Michael H. Staenberg (born March 8, 1954) is an American real estate developer and philanthropist. Staenberg is President and owner of The Staenberg Group, based in St. Louis, Missouri. Staenberg is most known for developing retail shopping centers with Stan Kroenke, through their partnership, THF Realty.

As of 2025, Staenberg is currently leading several developments, such as The Factory, The District, and the 10 year, $2 billion Downtown Chesterfield redevelopment project, in Chesterfield, Missouri, which was previously the site of Chesterfield Mall.[1] [2] [3]

Staenberg has donated over $100 million to various causes.[4] [5] [6]

Early Life & Education

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Staenberg grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, born to a Jewish family. After his father passed away, he began working as a grocery bagger to support his family financially. By working as a brick tender, he was able to attend Arizona State University where he received degrees in Economics and Finance. After college, Staenberg began his career in commercial real estate as a broker for Leo Eisenberg. [5]

Business Career

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Real Estate Brokerage

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Staenberg's began his career as a real estate broker for McDonald's. While working on a deal for McDonalds, he needed to negotiate the purchase of land from Walmart. In initiating the deal, Staenberg drove to Walmart's headquarters in Bentonville, AR, where he waited outside of a restroom, waiting for Sam Walton to use it. He pitched the deal to Walton, who accepted the offer, and gave Staenberg an opportunity to continue working with Walmart. Staenberg went on to broker and develop more than 200 Walmarts across the United States.[7]

THF Realty

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In 1981, McDonald's desired to purchase land in Clinton, Missouri, a deal which Staenberg was tasked with. The land was owned by Stan Kroenke, who refused to sell. Staenberg purchased four homes across the street, built the McDonald's there, and sent Kroenke a photo of the completed projected with a note: "What's the next challenge?". In 1991, Staenberg called Kroenke and proposed the creation of a development company, focused on building shopping centers around Walmart locations. Kroenke agreed, and THF Realty was then founded. The company would develop over 20 million square feet of retail space, valued at over $2 billion. The company developed the longest strip mall in America, Chesterfield Commons.[8] [9]

Lawsuit & Separation

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In December, 2012, Kroenke filed several suits against Staenberg in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Kroenke sought to buy Staenberg's interest in several THF Realty entities, totaling $110 million ($153 million in 2025 dollars).[6] In 2017, Staenberg & Kroenke had reached a settlement; Staenberg was paid $110 million, with additional terms and further compensation being undisclosed.[10]

Staenberg Group

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In 2012, Staenberg founded The Staenberg Group, a real estate development firm headquartered in Overland, Missouri. The company has been involved in over 45 million square feet of commercial real estate development and owns property in several U.S. states.[11]

Other Ventures

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The Factory

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In 2021, Staenberg completed construction of The Factory, a music venue which he founded in Chesterfield, Missouri. The 52,000 square foot, 3,500 capacity, event space hosts various concerts and events.[12]

Awards & Honors

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Staenberg and his companies have received numerous awards for his philanthropic activity:

  • The Staenberg Group receives The Saint Louis Zoo Corporate Award, 2019[13]
  • The Frank L. Weil Award from the Jewish Community Centers of North America, 2018 [4]
  • Hiram W. Leffingwell Award from Forest Park Forever, 2018[14]
  • Men’s Group Man of the Year Award from The St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer, 2018[15]
  • inducted into the Arizona State University W. P. Carey Business School Hall of Fame, 2017[16]
  • Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem (MOTJ) Atrium named by Staenberg Family, 2017[17]
  • THF Realty Top 150 Largest Privately Held Companies – St. Louis Business Journal, 2011[18]
  • Most Influential St. Louis Citizens - St. Louis Business Journal, 2011[19]
  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Ernst & Young, 2001[20]

Personal Life

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Staenberg lives in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Staenberg collects art and has donated pieces to various nonprofits, primarily to Jewish Community Centers and organizations across the United States.[21] [5] [22]

  1. ^ "Downtown Chesterfield STL".
  2. ^ "$2B Downtown Chesterfield project receives final approval from city". 6 September 2023.
  3. ^ "100+ people shaping St. Louis | St. Louis Magazine". 20 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Leadership Award Recipients".
  5. ^ a b c "Persons of Interest: Michael Staenberg, Giving is Job No. 1". 15 January 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Billionaire Stan Kroenke Splits with Real Estate Partner, Launches Legal Battle". Forbes.
  7. ^ name="auto">https://michaelstaenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MICHAEL-STAENBERG_-Still-Having-Fun-%E2%80%93-tour.pdf
  8. ^ chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://michaelstaenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MICHAEL-STAENBERG_-Still-Having-Fun-%E2%80%93-tour.pdf
  9. ^ "Michael Staenberg shares life lessons, plans for Chesterfield". 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/19/staenberg-says-hes-reached-settlement-with-kroenke.html [bare URL]
  11. ^ https://www.loopnet.com/company/the-staenberg-group/overland-mo/k7zsldcl/ [bare URL]
  12. ^ "Take a look at new Chesterfield music venue the Factory slated for 2021 opening". 27 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Saint Louis Zoo Announces 2019 Awards". 27 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Forest Park Forever Bestows 2018 Hiram W. Leffingwell Award to Michael & Carol Staenberg". 17 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Men's group raises $400K to fight cancer". 17 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Alumni generosity fuels student success | W. P. Carey News".
  17. ^ "From Jerusalem to Omaha". 2 September 2020.
  18. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/print-edition/2011/03/25/top-150-privately.html [bare URL]
  19. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/print-edition/2011/02/18/most-influential-st-louisans.html [bare URL]
  20. ^ https://eoyhof.ey.com/ [bare URL]
  21. ^ "How Michael Staenberg turned our blank walls into walls of inspiration - Jewish Light". 17 March 2023.
  22. ^ Mejia, Karla Vasquez. "Sculptures bring color to Orchard Town Center in Glen Carbon". The Edwardsville Intelligencer.