Blackbird Partners Develops The Nest Private Hangars at KSUS

This article is based on an official press release from Blackbird Partners.

Blackbird Partners has officially announced the development of “The Nest at SUS,” a new 12.7-acre private aviation hangar complex located at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) in Chesterfield, Missouri. The project aims to deliver premium, purpose-built infrastructure to one of the Midwest’s most active international business aviation hubs.

Departing from the traditional aviation real estate model, the new development offers hangars for private ownership rather than leasing. This approach is designed to address a growing demand among high-net-worth individuals and corporate flight departments who require long-term asset control and specialized facilities for modern Commercial-Aircraft. According to the company’s announcement, presales are currently active, with groundbreaking scheduled for early 2027 and project completion expected in 2028.

The development promises to combine robust concrete construction with luxury lifestyle amenities, solving a nationwide shortage of adequately sized hangar space for ultra-long-range business jets. By integrating flight preparation spaces with high-end owner accommodations, Blackbird Partners is positioning The Nest as a distinct alternative to standard shared hangar spaces or traditional Fixed Base Operator (FBO) models.

Project Specifications and Ownership Model

Architectural Design and Scale

The 12.7-acre facility will be situated off Taxiway Delta at KSUS. According to project details, the site will feature four reinforced concrete hangar structures, referred to as “wings,” which will house a total of eight individually owned hangars. The use of premium-grade reinforced concrete, rather than traditional metal, is a key differentiator for the development.

Each wing is designed to contain two distinct spaces to accommodate varying fleet sizes. The smaller configuration offers a 6,705-square-foot private hangar capable of sheltering up to a super-midsize jet. The larger configuration provides a 14,909-square-foot single-owner hangar specifically designed for ultra-long-range jets or multiple smaller aircraft. For buyers with extensive fleet requirements, there is an option to purchase an entire wing, yielding 31,549 square feet of combined hangar and office space.

Beyond aircraft storage, the fully climate-controlled facilities will feature two floors of customizable owner, lifestyle, and crew spaces. These integrated areas can be tailored to include lounges, private offices, kitchens, and dedicated pilot facilities.

The Ownership Structure

A central pillar of The Nest at SUS is its ownership model. Blackbird Partners emphasized this distinction in their official announcement:

Built to be owned, not leased. Fully private. Concrete-built. Architecturally refined… Not an FBO. Not shared hangar space.

Buyers will purchase the hangars under a 40- to 50-year airport ground lease. To maintain the property, the complex will operate under a homeowner association (HOA) model administered by Blackbird Partners. This association will collect annual dues to manage all exterior maintenance and shared systems, ensuring a turnkey experience for owners.

Strategic Location at Spirit of St. Louis Airport

Infrastructure and Capabilities

The selection of Spirit of St. Louis Airports (KSUS) places the development in a highly strategic location. Situated 17 miles west of the central business district of St. Louis, the 1,300-acre airport is widely regarded as the business aviation center of the Midwest. Its primary runway (8R/26L) is a 7,485-foot all-weather concrete strip, easily capable of handling large, fully fueled business jets.

A critical factor for owners of ultra-long-range jets is the airport’s international readiness. KSUS features 24-hour U.S. Customs and Border Protection services on-site, allowing international flights to clear customs directly without the need for a repositioning stop.

Airport Traffic and Leadership Support

KSUS is a highly active airfield. According to airport data, it recorded 143,570 aircraft operations in 2022, averaging 393 per day, with 88 percent of those operations attributed to general aviation. The airport currently serves as the base for nearly 300 aircraft.

In their announcement, Blackbird Partners specifically credited local leadership for facilitating the development, extending special thanks to Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director of Aviation John Bales, David Schubert, and St. Louis County officials for their support.

The Team Behind The Nest

Founders and Contractors

Blackbird Partners is led by co-founders Carson Fox and Ryan Bedford. Fox brings a background as a former jet broker and real estate investor, providing insight into aircraft valuation and owner requirements. Bedford, a former Olympic speedskater and multi-family real estate developer, leads a company recognized as one of the nation’s largest insulated concrete form contractors.

The St. Louis project is the company’s second facility of this kind, following a smaller prototype complex recently completed at Waukesha County Airport (KUES) in Wisconsin. To execute the KSUS build, Blackbird has partnered with VJS Construction Services, a Wisconsin-based general contractor with a dedicated aviation division experienced in building hangars and FBOs. The architectural vision is being led by Daniel Merkt and Benjamin Mather (AIA, NCARB).

AirPro News analysis

The development of The Nest at SUS highlights a significant macroeconomic trend within the business aviation sector: the growing disparity between modern aircraft dimensions and legacy airport infrastructure. Most existing hangars at U.S. airports were constructed decades ago for smaller aircraft. Today’s flagship business jets, such as the Gulfstream G700 or Bombardier Global 8000, feature significantly larger wingspans and taller tails that simply cannot fit into older facilities.

Concurrently, there is a well-documented, nationwide shortage of hangar space. Because airports possess limited developable land, waitlists for premium hangar space can stretch for years. By offering guaranteed, long-term ownership of a premium asset rather than a temporary lease, Blackbird Partners is capitalizing on this real estate squeeze. This model not only secures necessary infrastructure for flight departments but also transforms the hangar from a pure operational expense into a long-term real estate asset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Nest at SUS?

The Nest at SUS is a 12.7-acre private aviation hangar complex at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) in Missouri. It features eight individually owned, concrete-built hangars designed for private ownership rather than leasing.

When will the project be completed?

According to Blackbird Partners, groundbreaking is scheduled for early 2027, with project completion expected in 2028. Presales are currently active.

Can these hangars accommodate ultra-long-range jets?

Yes. The larger hangar configurations (14,909 square feet) are specifically designed to accommodate the largest ultra-long-range business jets currently in production.

Sources

• Blackbird Partners Official Announcement