Kansas City Projects and Updates

sc4mayor · PostDec 14, 2018#4262018-12-14T19:58+00:00

I just LOVE the Kauffman Center. Have yet to see a show there, but it's on my list. Easily one of the best photography subjects in KC, if not Missouri. As far as a jolt of bold and contemporary architecture, I'm gonna say we're not quite there yet. These two proposed office buildings look nice, but let's see how they turn out first. There have been several sexy renderings for buildings in the Crossroads, Plaza and others that have been supreme disappointments once they finally get off the ground. ARTerra being chief among those disappointments. And of course, ARTerra was designed and built by the same company that is proposing this office tower.

I for one would like to see the twisty office building that was rumored for downtown KC make a comeback. Now that would be bold.

St.Louis1764 · PostDec 15, 2018#4272018-12-15T00:44+00:00

I personally give this new building a thumbs up! KC is killing it and hope the momentum there continues..

symphonicpoet · PostDec 15, 2018#4282018-12-15T09:18+00:00

chriss752 wrote: ↑
Dec 14, 2018
I got a Mid Century Modern vibe from this project as you can see in the image below but I can see your architectural design in this too.

I tend to use the terms somewhat interchangeably, but that might be a composer blowing smoke out of his . . . horn. Yours certainly feels right to me. Probably a better description. Let's go with that.

chriss752 · PostDec 20, 2018#4292018-12-20T17:27+00:00

Time for A TON of updates from November 14 to now. I am skipping Strata Tower since that was thoroughly discussed on here.

11/14/18: Historic Palace Clothing Co. Building Finding New Future as Boutique Hotel
Description: The historic Palace Clothing Co. building at 12th and Grand is slated to become a 110-room Canopy by Hilton boutique hotel, the latest entry to the booming downtown hospitality market. The cost will be $30 Million
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/historic-palace ... que-hotel/
Rendering...

11/20/18: Uptown Lofts a Transformational ‘Valentine’ to Midtown
Description: Construction on the $45 million Uptown Lofts project is scheduled to begin late next spring, a development that’s expected to transform the struggling corner of Valentine Road and Broadway into a neighborhood asset... Besides providing 223 units of market-rate housing, the development will help solve two long-time problems in the area. It will replace the underperforming Uptown Shoppes retail strip and provide 380 parking spaces to the Uptown Theater across the street.
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/uptown-lofts-a- ... o-midtown/
Rendering...

11/21/18: Developer Passes ‘Squint Test’ on New Armour Apartment Project
Description: The design of the first apartment building in MAC Properties planned $78 million Armour Corners redevelopment won support from the City Plan Commission Wednesday after its developer noted it had passed the “squint test.”
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/developer-passe ... t-project/
Rendering...

11/29/18: One of Downtown’s Last Big, Empty Historic Buildings Slated for Apartments
Description: One of downtown’s last prominent, dormant historic buildings, the 23-story Mark Twain Tower, is slated to be redeveloped as a 202-unit apartment project following approval of incentives Wednesday... The Bernstein Companies of Washington D.C. plan to spend $51.9 million redeveloping the building with completion estimated in November 2020.
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/one-of-downtown ... partments/
NO Rendering

12/12/18: New Plaza Preservation Battle, Developer Plans to Demolish Prominent Church for Apartments
Description: The plan filed by Legacy Development calls for the first two floors of the proposed, 110,000 square-foot building to be used as a new home for the church along with retail and restaurant space. The third and four floors would be office space and 48 apartments are planned for the top eight levels. BNIM is the architect. If approved, the application timetable calls for construction to begin in June 2019 with completion in August 2020.
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/new-plaza-prese ... partments/
Renderings...

12/19/18: Developer Plans 248-Unit Apartment Project on Troost Near Hospital Hill
Description: Another big apartment project is in the works for Troost Avenue near Hospital Hill, a 248-unit development at the southeast corner of 25th Street that would take up an entire city block. The $40 million development planned by GSSW Real Estate Investments of Dallas was endorsed by the City Plan Commission Tuesday... The development calls for 10 buildings ranging from three- to six stories occupying the block between Troost and Forest, from 25th to 26th streets. The developer hopes to break ground in March with an opening in mid-2020.
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/big-troost-apartment/
Rendering...

12/20/18: Chicago Developer Proposes $90 Million Kimpton Hotel Project at 45th and Main
Description: A $90 million redevelopment plan that would transform an aging Holiday Inn at 45th and Main into a 275-room luxury Kimpton Hotel is in the works. The project is being pursued by the Janko Group from suburban Chicago. It’s design was endorsed this week by the City Plan Commission... The project calls for the current 240-room Holiday Inn to be completely renovated and a five-story tower added to its north side, mirroring an existing five-story tower on its south end. The new tower would expand the number of rooms to 275.
STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/chicago-develop ... and-main/ Renderings...

sc4mayor · PostDec 20, 2018#4302018-12-20T18:13+00:00

I live on the Plaza, and unlike your average Plaza resident, I generally support new development on the Plaza provided it's on the outer edges of the historic core of the neighborhood. But I may be with the NIMBYs on this one. According to an acquaintance of mine someone wants to also bulldoze the historic Jack Henry building next door once Tomfooleries moves out for another garbage retail store and overpriced apartments. I've lived in this neighborhood for 9 years and I'm not happy with the direction it's been moving. Over 14 business have closed just this year, crime is increasing, and nearly every locally owned business has moved out in favor of bullsh*t national chains. I made a final visit to Fooleries last night and all anyone was talking about is how much the Plaza sucks now. I guess KC people really love their overly corporatized bar/restaurant districts. Side note, the Plaza (one of the most historical parts of KC) has NO preservation protection, developers can demolish with impunity here.

Also, enough with the hotels. Even the new boss over at VisitKC has said downtown is over-saturated and that money needs to be focused on attracting the business and conventions needed to fill the existing stock and what's currently under construction.

Good to see the new apartments, though the Valentine project needs to be reoriented to place the parking in the back. That building should be fronting Broadway. I do like the rebuild of the Plaza Holiday Inn, that'll be a huge improvement.

You did miss one though:
https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 72790.html

Movement on a long planned office building at the 3rd and Grand KCATA lot.

jshank83 · PostJan 13, 2019#4312019-01-13T17:05+00:00

New Terminal update. No completion timeline anymore. Waiting on airlines and environmental impact still.

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/ ... eline.html

chriss752 · PostJan 21, 2019#4322019-01-21T19:14+00:00

The 1800 Walnut project, now known as REVERB, has started construction. There are some noatbale changes in design as well...
- It appears that the orange/copper stepping façade was kicked out for silver.
- Some balconies were eliminated.
- The left side of the building lost it's wavy effect.

Hopefully the stepping side is a stunner since this project's "wow" factor greatly diminished in my mind.

STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/copaken-brooks- ... zOzUHV1kuw

Old...

New...

survivor147 · PostJan 21, 2019#4332019-01-21T19:54+00:00

jshank83 wrote: ↑
Jan 13, 2019
New Terminal update. No completion timeline anymore. Waiting on airlines and environmental impact still.

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/ ... eline.html

STL Lambert should try to steal some business with their airport in turmoil. Hell go after Spirit Airlines. Not the greatest but I'll take anything new we can get!

sc4mayor · PostJan 21, 2019#4342019-01-21T20:07+00:00

chriss752 wrote: ↑
Jan 21, 2019
The 1800 Walnut project, now known as REVERB, has started construction. There are some noatbale changes in design as well...
- It appears that the orange/copper stepping façade was kicked out for silver.
- Some balconies were eliminated.
- The left side of the building lost it's wavy effect.

Hopefully the stepping side is a stunner since this project's "wow" factor greatly diminished in my mind.

STORY: https://cityscenekc.com/copaken-brooks- ... zOzUHV1kuw

I don't think it killed too much of it's wow factor. It didn't have much to begin with, it's mostly just a stepped glass box. It'll be a nice addition to the skyline though. I just hope it comes out better then ARTerra. That was built by the same developer here and it looks soooo basic compared to what the original rendering showed.

Also, more airport news, the city is now considering diverting funds from the Water Department to pay for design and other assorted costs. Remember, taxpayers were promised no city funds would be used on this. I talked to one of my old City Hall contacts from my days in the City Manager's office, and he said this whole thing is supposedly getting worse by the day.

Tried to copy the link, but the Star's paywall has something to say about that.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... WL34lBb6o9

jshank83 · PostJan 21, 2019#4352019-01-21T21:52+00:00

survivor147 wrote: ↑
Jan 21, 2019

jshank83 wrote: ↑
Jan 13, 2019
New Terminal update. No completion timeline anymore. Waiting on airlines and environmental impact still.

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/ ... eline.html
STL Lambert should try to steal some business with their airport in turmoil. Hell go after Spirit Airlines. Not the greatest but I'll take anything new we can get!

I am sure they are trying to get Spirit/Jetblue/international carriers constantly. Issue with Spirit is we already have pretty good coverage on routes they would fly. So I don't know what they would fly.

chriss752 · PostJan 29, 2019#4362019-01-29T05:40+00:00

I guess this is going to be KC's version of Cortex...

The Keystone Innovation District proposal took its first concrete step recently when backers signed a predevelopment agreement for the planned site of the $90 million-plus endeavor at 18th and Troost.

A development entity established by J.E. Dunn Construction reached the agreement with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, which owns the block targeted for the proposed education, research and entrepreneurial center.

Link: https://cityscenekc.com/keystone-innova ... nd-troost/

Rendering...

aprice · PostJan 29, 2019#4372019-01-29T17:18+00:00

I really like the location, bridging Crossroads and the 18th & Vine district.
I was going to say that I was hoping / expecting Plexpod on 39th to be the anchor of their Cortex equivalent. However while looking at google earth, noticing the enormous adjacent Westport High School, and google searching it, I found this: https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 57425.html

The building itself, the additions, and the former football field, if done properly, could become quite the district as well. And only 3 blocks from the future Streetcar stop at 39th & Main.

sc4mayor · PostJan 29, 2019#4382019-01-29T19:28+00:00

I actually don't like the location. I think it would be better suited closer to UMKC, Rockhurst and the Stowers Research Institute. I suppose it is close to Hospital Hill though. The developer has cited Cortex as an inspiration. Though in my opinion KC doesn't have anywhere near the institutional might to create something on the same scale as Cortex.

I hope something happens with Westport High School soon. They've been talking about doing something with that for years now and nothing has happened thus far. I would rather see UMKC's conservatory downtown, but thanks to Grietens, that got shut down. WPHS and the surrounding area would be a better spot for an innovation district if you ask me. Closer to the schools, Stowers, the Kauffman Center, all the new apartments on Armour (not that Downtown doesn't have that though), the museums, etc. But like aprice said, bridging downtown and 18th and Vine is a huge step forward too.

An exciting project either way.

ldai_phs · PostMar 09, 2019#4392019-03-09T03:31+00:00

1. Airport
KC City Council approved the developer agreement, term sheet, and other related documents last Thursday (2/8). Short term financing was voted out of the airport committee this week as well. Early foundation work (auger cast piles) began this week. The steel structure of Southwest's new baggage handling building looks to be pretty much complete. Groundbreaking for the new terminal will take place on March 25th.
Icelandair will be upguaging KC back to 757s for parts of 2019.

2. Strata
Copaken Brooks posted a photo tweet of their Strata office tower today. 2021 remains the target for opening.

3. 1800 Walnut
Pier/Pile foundation work at Copaken's 1800 Walnut project looks to be complete.

4. Loews Convention Hotel
A third crane has been on the Loews project for the last few weeks. IIRC, it was assisting with the installation of the ballroom ceilings. Topping out should happen sometime next month -4 ish floors left. New plans were filed that involved the addition of outdoor event/dining space, a bump out on the northeast corner of the complex, and some other assorted changes. "The Palm Restaurant" steak house will be opening their first KC location at the Loews hotel.

5. Berkley Riverfront Park
Port KC announced at a KC Downtowners luncheon that they have deals signed for more than 600+ apartments and 100+ hotel keys at Berkley Riverfront Park. A beer garden, more bathrooms, and other amenities are also planned for the park.

6. KC Streetcar
The additional CAF streetcars ordered last year are close to completion. The new streetcars should join the fleet in late spring/early summer. Design work on the Berkley Riverfront Park - Missouri Riverfront streetcar extension continues to progress. P3 delivery is now being considered.

sc4mayor · PostMar 12, 2019#4402019-03-12T17:20+00:00

Let's hope Strata doesn't come out anywhere near as hideous CB's ARTerra project. Was looking at that while I was downtown yesterday, that's just terrible.

As far as the airport, I really hope the design changes a bit. So basic and uninspiring right now.

ldai_phs · PostMar 19, 2019#4412019-03-19T04:48+00:00

New rendering for the 3rd & Grand Timber TOD Development.

PostMar 19, 2019#4422019-03-19T05:08+00:00

1. Loews: 2 cranes were added to this project. Total is now 2 Tower cranes and 2 smaller. The new cranes appear to be specifically tasked with lifting the non-glass facade elements into place.

The garage and ballroom space is absolutely massive - almost as tall as the Courtyard Marriot Hotel next door. The precast exterior makes this portion of the project look like a modern municipal auditorium.

I am suprised by how many sightlines the Loews shows up in now.

PostMar 19, 2019#4432019-03-19T05:16+00:00

^^Make that 3 smaller cranes on the Loews project.

2. 1800 Walnut

All grading work has been completed. Progress on the foundations continues. Unfortunately, a newly installed plywood fence will make future update posts difficult. This project’s tower crane will go up on Walnut.

chriss752 · PostMar 21, 2019#4442019-03-21T04:41+00:00

ldai_phs wrote: ↑
Mar 19, 2019

New rendering for the 3rd & Grand Timber TOD Development.

Here is just the building without the smaller render in front.

Here is another office building to be built just down 3rd Street at 3rd and Delaware.

ldai_phs · PostApr 15, 2019#4452019-04-15T04:38+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... u0xl7j_0ug
Flyover video of the Strata project. Still on track for a Q4 start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXb1rHDj2nE Drone footage of the 1800 Walnut (reverb) Project.

sc4mayor · PostApr 15, 2019#4462019-04-15T17:05+00:00

ldai_phs wrote: ↑
Apr 15, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... u0xl7j_0ug
Flyover video of the Strata project. Still on track for a Q4 start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXb1rHDj2nE Drone footage of the 1800 Walnut (reverb) Project.

That Strata tower better not get a damn dime in incentives or I might just finally pull the trigger and leave KC. As a non-downtown (so basically ignored) KC resident, I am getting really damn sick of P&L getting incentivized so much. The district itself has long been a financial failure (to the tune of about $15 million in debt payments per year), each of the residential towers were heavily subsidized with another $17 million in incentives proposed for Three Light. I'd really love to see a running total on how badly us KC taxpayers have been utterly ***** over by Cordish and the City. It's gotta be close to 9 figures if not higher by now. Add the fact that these developers want the city to guarantee the debt on Strata which means the city will be on the hook should the development falter...the exact same deal KC made for P&L, how stupid can you get? If Strata can be built on spec then what the hell is the reasoning behind the city pulling their pants down again?

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit ... 69440.html
https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 49385.html

Cordish's Ballpark Village on the other hand has received a total of about $80 million in incentives and will have a residential tower, office tower, hotel, retail building, and the original "bar mall/living room" or whatever you want to call it. KC may end up giving out nearly as much for a single spec office tower as St. Louis gave out for the entirety of Phase 2 ($65 million)...embarrassing.

ldai_phs · PostApr 15, 2019#4472019-04-15T19:12+00:00

I certainly would not be against your move.

sc4mayor · PostApr 16, 2019#4482019-04-16T14:59+00:00

^ Good to know, but I'd really like at least one KC resident to give me one good reason why this kind of incentivizing is good for the city. If it was affordable housing I'd be ok with it. But why does a city that claims things are going so well have to give away so much? I get you downtown boosters don't really care much about the rest of the us in other parts of the city (especially the East Side), but those of us watching City Hall forfeit tens of millions in tax dollars for another luxury apartment building or hotel in the Loop or Crossroads is getting really damn old.

Are you really going to tell me with a straight face that the city guaranteeing the debt on this office tower is a smart move? This is literally what got them into trouble with the P&L debt, and now we're shelling out $15 or so million per year for a development that was promised to pay for itself. I'd love to see another office tower in Downtown KC, just not on the backs of taxpayers. This is NOT a smart use of taxpayers dollars and as a KCMO taxpayer I have every right to be concerned, whether you downtown folks like it or not.

ldai_phs · PostApr 16, 2019#4492019-04-16T15:08+00:00

I don’t think we should back the debt on this project. But the city already agreed to incentives for this project’s parking garage and for light towers back in the first few years of this millennium. The parking garage portion of this project is proposed to be significantly smaller than what the city agreed to pay originally.(good thing)

I just think your overall attitude is negative, biased, and unproductive.

sc4mayor · PostApr 16, 2019#4502019-04-16T15:16+00:00

^ It's time for the city to renegotiate with Cordish. Things are different now than they were 10 years or so ago.

As far as my attitude, I've lived in KC for nearly 12 years now, it's not bias, it's experience.

Kansas City Projects and Updates

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