Attorney General Hanaway Announces Resolution to Mark Twain Hotel Nuisance Claims, Relief for Residents

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Today, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced a settlement agreement addressing the dangerous and unlawful conditions at the Mark Twain Hotel in downtown St. Louis. The agreement, reached with the property's owner, Anchor Point Hotel LLC (Anchor Point), resolves claims brought by the State of Missouri involving hazardous living conditions, chronic safety failures, and persistent criminal activity at the hotel.

"After years of deteriorating conditions and unchecked criminal activity at the Mark Twain Hotel, our office stepped in to help restore order and protect residents and the surrounding neighborhood," said General Hanaway. "Today's agreement ensures accountability, safeguards tenants, and paves the way for a safer, lawful redevelopment of this property. This is a crucial step towards improving public safety in downtown St. Louis."

General Hanaway has committed to taking decisive action to improve public safety in the downtown areas of Missouri's cities-including St. Louis. As part of that effort, on July 9, General Hanaway demanded the owner of the Mark Twain Hotel address the dangerous conditions and persistent drug activity, which constituted a public nuisance under Missouri law. The settlement is a negotiated resolution among the State, the City of St. Louis, and Anchor Point Hotel LLC, and it resolves the dispute without any admission of liability by any party. The nonprofit Peter & Paul Community Services (Peter & Paul) will administer restitution under the settlement to provide housing, relocation assistance, and essential resources to residents displaced by the hotel.

"When local and state partners work together with a shared commitment to public safety, we can deliver real results for the people of St. Louis. The Mark Twain Hotel had long created challenges for residents and the surrounding neighborhood, and through strong coordination we can ensure those affected receive the support they need while charting a path toward a safer future for this area," said St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer.

Resolution for residents and the downtown community includes:

• Anchor Point will pay $500 to each individual who resided in the building on July 1, 2026, including current residents as they vacate. All payments to residents are due no later than September 1, 2026. For residents who cannot be located despite commercially reasonable efforts, Anchor Point will deposit the $500 payments into an escrow account administered by Peter & Paul and provide the names of unlocated residents to Peter & Paul and the Attorney General.
• Effective immediately, Anchor Point will forgive all debts of all residents and all individuals who resided in the building as of the date it assumed ownership.
• Anchor Point will pay $100,000 to Peter & Paul to compensate for expenses incurred relocating current residents by August 28, 2026.
• Effective immediately, Anchor Point will pay $1,200 owed to the City of St. Louis for outstanding building code violations.
• Anchor Point will install and operate security cameras, maintain long-term security guards, and use all other commercially reasonable efforts to secure the property while it remains vacant and until redevelopment is completed.
• Anchor Point will continue to cooperate with Peter & Paul and allow access to assist residents with relocation until the last Current Resident has vacated.

The Mark Twain Hotel had become one of the most problematic properties in downtown St. Louis, plagued by health code violations, hundreds of calls for service each year, and persistent drug and criminal activity.

General Hanaway extends her appreciation to Peter & Paul Community Services, the City of St. Louis, Downtown Forward, and all partners whose efforts contributed to this resolution. The Attorney General's Office will continue to pursue nuisance centers across Missouri, protect vulnerable residents, and support efforts to reduce violent crime in our communities.

For questions about resident payments or relocation assistance, contact Peter & Paul Community Services. Peter & Paul's press release announcing their rehousing effort can be read here.