I don’t have any pics, but here is Santa Fe St.
There has been some new apartment development around there too. It’s mostly just a few blocks surrounding Santa Fe, but’s it’s slowly creeping out towards Metcalf.
There has been some new apartment development around there too. It’s mostly just a few blocks surrounding Santa Fe, but’s it’s slowly creeping out towards Metcalf.
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Too bad there are a ton of auto dealerships fronting Metcalf, and those aren't going anywhere.
Hmmm...I had been imagining something more like a mini-Clayton, or at least Downtown Chesterfield.
Oh, yeah it’s not even close to that. OP does have a kind of business district with some taller buildings around the convention center and 435/Metcalf. But it’s heavy, heavy sprawl with some high rises surrounded by huge lawns and lakes.
The Reverb Apartment tower has more glass on it as well as some gray facade. The gray is meh and the stepping pattern isn't as pronounced as the renderings made it seem it would be.
Pictures from NormalThings on the KCRag.
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Pictures from NormalThings on the KCRag.
I have always thought Crown Center = Central West End, Plaza = Clayton (except that the Plaza is in KCMO). KCMO's big advantage over the suburbs is that it has the only dense + walkable job centers. Area companies who want urban offices only have the choice of being in the city whereas STL companies can choose between STL or Clayton.sc4mayor wrote: ↑Dec 04, 2019Oh, yeah it’s not even close to that. OP does have a kind of business district with some taller buildings around the convention center and 435/Metcalf. But it’s heavy, heavy sprawl with some high rises surrounded by huge lawns and lakes.framer wrote: ↑Dec 04, 2019Hmmm...I had been imagining something more like a mini-Clayton, or at least Downtown Chesterfield.
Overland Park's Corporate Woods:
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I've actually always thought that the Plaza and Central West End were good equivalents, due to both being 4 miles from downtown.
I don't think Kansas City has a Clayton, which is 8 miles from downtown, or roughly about where Waldo is on a straight line from DTKC and CCP.
This has always made me appreciate St. Louis' density.
I don't think Kansas City has a Clayton, which is 8 miles from downtown, or roughly about where Waldo is on a straight line from DTKC and CCP.
This has always made me appreciate St. Louis' density.
^^ I had never considered that to be honest. Though I can see your point in terms of skylines I suppose, even though I've always considered Crown Center to just be a part of downtown. But outside of that I would agree with KansasCitian.
I think the Plaza is more analogous with the Central West End than it is Clayton. They look way different but have lots of similarities. Both are full of high end condos and apartments and hotels, the Plaza has a bigger focus on high end shopping but you can find that in the CWE too. Both have large hospitals as employment anchors in the area, though I would say BJC plays a much bigger role in the CWE than St. Luke's does on the Plaza. To me Clayton is a major business and financial center over a high end living or shopping spot...sure you can find some of those things there, but that's not the focus. Half a dozen Fortune 500 companies, even more Fortune 1000 headquarters, in addition to dozens of other private companies. Major law firms and financial firms. It's also the center of County government, so PD headquarters, the jail, county courts, etc. The Plaza has a couple big law firms and a few other office buildings, but it isn't near the business, government or financial hub that Clayton is.
I wouldn't say there is anything like Clayton in KC. Much like I would say there isn't anything really like Crown Center in St. Louis.
I think the Plaza is more analogous with the Central West End than it is Clayton. They look way different but have lots of similarities. Both are full of high end condos and apartments and hotels, the Plaza has a bigger focus on high end shopping but you can find that in the CWE too. Both have large hospitals as employment anchors in the area, though I would say BJC plays a much bigger role in the CWE than St. Luke's does on the Plaza. To me Clayton is a major business and financial center over a high end living or shopping spot...sure you can find some of those things there, but that's not the focus. Half a dozen Fortune 500 companies, even more Fortune 1000 headquarters, in addition to dozens of other private companies. Major law firms and financial firms. It's also the center of County government, so PD headquarters, the jail, county courts, etc. The Plaza has a couple big law firms and a few other office buildings, but it isn't near the business, government or financial hub that Clayton is.
I wouldn't say there is anything like Clayton in KC. Much like I would say there isn't anything really like Crown Center in St. Louis.
Crown Center has Hospital Hill (Children’s Mercy, Truman Hospital. UMKC Med., UMKC Dentistry) next door which furthers its equivalency to CWE imho.sc4mayor wrote:^^ I had never considered that to be honest. Though I can see your point in terms of skylines I suppose, even though I've always considered Crown Center to just be a part of downtown. But outside of that I would agree with KansasCitian.
I think the Plaza is more analogous with the Central West End than it is Clayton. They look way different but have lots of similarities. Both are full of high end condos and apartments and hotels, the Plaza has a bigger focus on high end shopping but you can find that in the CWE too. Both have large hospitals as employment anchors in the area, though I would say BJC plays a much bigger role in the CWE than St. Luke's does on the Plaza. To me Clayton is a major business and financial center over a high end living or shopping spot...sure you can find some of those things there, but that's not the focus. Half a dozen Fortune 500 companies, even more Fortune 1000 headquarters, in addition to dozens of other private companies. Major law firms and financial firms. It's also the center of County government, so PD headquarters, the jail, county courts, etc. The Plaza has a couple big law firms and a few other office buildings, but it isn't near the business, government or financial hub that Clayton is.
I wouldn't say there is anything like Clayton in KC. Much like I would say there isn't anything really like Crown Center in St. Louis.
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^ Valid point. Though that area still doesn't have anywhere near the density the Central West End does. Nor does it have a Euclid Ave like corridor of bars, restaurants, and shopping. Nor does Crown Center have the dense blocks of row homes and large mansions that the CWE does (Plaza has a lot more of that, minus the row homes). Crown Center is more like a shopping mall pocked-marked with Hallmark's HQ and some other office buildings with a bunch of sky-bridges. Yes, it does happen to have a hospital next door. In fact the more I look at it from the satellite the more I think it's even less like the CWE. Still doesn't put the Plaza any closer to Clayton though.
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Comparing the crown center area of KC to the CWE area of St Louis makes me laugh. They are nothing a like. Whenever I venture into that area particularly Euclid it almost has a feel of another city. Anyways it looks like KC is catching fire with all the current and new developments
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1. Wadell and Reed New Head Quarters:
W&R's selection of 14th and Baltimore is official. ~250k sqft of office. ~$140 million.
W&R's Rent - $55 sqft per year: $42 sqft + o/m expenses of $13 sqft. iirc, Strata is targeting an average of $32 sqft. The downtown market average is $21-24 sqft
Project advances to full council next week. The mayor's office supposedly worked with W&R on the deal and is in support.
https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity ... cifQ%3D%3D
2. $350 million Freight House District Redvelopment (KC Crossroads):
The developer now controls, owns, or has under contract 70% of the district. Superior Moving is envisioned as an office redevelopment. The Belger Group is looking at an expanded arts space and want to add green space.
The freight house PIEA moves to the full council next week - recommended do pass.
W&R's selection of 14th and Baltimore is official. ~250k sqft of office. ~$140 million.
W&R's Rent - $55 sqft per year: $42 sqft + o/m expenses of $13 sqft. iirc, Strata is targeting an average of $32 sqft. The downtown market average is $21-24 sqft
Project advances to full council next week. The mayor's office supposedly worked with W&R on the deal and is in support.
https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity ... cifQ%3D%3D
2. $350 million Freight House District Redvelopment (KC Crossroads):
The developer now controls, owns, or has under contract 70% of the district. Superior Moving is envisioned as an office redevelopment. The Belger Group is looking at an expanded arts space and want to add green space.
The freight house PIEA moves to the full council next week - recommended do pass.
^Is there a rendering anywhere yet of the office building? The KCBJ doesn't seem to have one.
Not yet, but a user on the KCRag, who works at Burns and McDonnell described the building this way...urbanitas wrote: ↑Dec 05, 2019^Is there a rendering anywhere yet of the office building? The KCBJ doesn't seem to have one.
I think what this user means by "stacking elements" point to the box style design of Strata with every few floors appearing to be in its own box. We will see though.jasty5 wrote: ↑Dec 04, 2019I've seen a rendering on this, initial look is that it looks interesting. Some stacking elements to it similar to how Strata is massed. Car entrance looks to be on Baltimore, some rooftop terraces. Also, not much engagement along I-670. Overall I think it looks like a positive addition.
Below is the most recent comment...
jasty5 wrote: ↑Dec 05, 2019All buildings on the parcel are being demolished. Also I forgot to mention that rendering shows I-670 as a park... building looks to be about 15 stories and fills most of the parcel.
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I always took the Plaza to be roughly analogous to a very planned West End and Crown Center to be a thing unto itself; a destination entertainment mall quite apart from the neighborhood around it. At one time St. Louis Center felt quite similar, but without the connected hotels. If I had to guess, I'd say Crown Center might have been the most direct inspiration behind that. Westport Plaza also feels like an iteration of the same idea, albeit far from downtown, but really, the location of that sort of thing is almost irrelevant. If you go to Crown Center you go to Crown Center not whatever is around it. Sure you can technically walk to Union Station in air-conditioned comfort now, but you're not likely to go anywhere else. Maybe Liberty Memorial if you're really adventurous, but most likely not. Really, that's probably the closest analog: large planned shopping and entertainment center with connected hotels and convention space. Anyway, glad to see all the construction in KC.
Burns & Mac and Financial Holdings Corp are developing the project. B&M is also the general contractor. Jasty is a well connected manager at B&M.chriss752 wrote:Not yet, but a user on the KCRag, who works at Burns and McDonnell described the building this way...urbanitas wrote: ↑Dec 05, 2019^Is there a rendering anywhere yet of the office building? The KCBJ doesn't seem to have one.I think what this user means by "stacking elements" point to the box style design of Strata with every few floors appearing to be in its own box. We will see though.jasty5 wrote: ↑Dec 04, 2019I've seen a rendering on this, initial look is that it looks interesting. Some stacking elements to it similar to how Strata is massed. Car entrance looks to be on Baltimore, some rooftop terraces. Also, not much engagement along I-670. Overall I think it looks like a positive addition.
Below is the most recent comment...jasty5 wrote: ↑Dec 05, 2019All buildings on the parcel are being demolished. Also I forgot to mention that rendering shows I-670 as a park... building looks to be about 15 stories and fills most of the parcel.
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1. Aloft and Tribute Hotels - Country Club Plaza:
Developer: Country Club Lodging LLC
Address: 46th Terrace & Wornall Road, KCMO
Keys: 304
Size: 2 buildings - 7 floors each, 265,150 square-feet.
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Developer: Country Club Lodging LLC
Address: 46th Terrace & Wornall Road, KCMO
Keys: 304
Size: 2 buildings - 7 floors each, 265,150 square-feet.
I'm very relieved to know that St. Louis isn't the only place that they're building ugly hotels.
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I think this warrants a discussion here
Proposal making Kansas City first major city with free public bus service moves forward
I am insanely jealous of this. Hopefully it works well and becomes of trend that spreads to STL. It just makes so much sense considering how much we spend on fare enforcement.
In a city where most people with any means have access to a car, transit just isn't the best option for 95% of trips. Even trips downtown for a baseball game make more financial sense to drive and pay $15 to park if you are with a group bigger than three people. (Four round trip fares on Metrolink = $16!)
Right now metro is a decent option for those who use it, but to be a truly successful system it has to be such a great option that those with other options still opt to use.
Proposal making Kansas City first major city with free public bus service moves forward
I am insanely jealous of this. Hopefully it works well and becomes of trend that spreads to STL. It just makes so much sense considering how much we spend on fare enforcement.
In a city where most people with any means have access to a car, transit just isn't the best option for 95% of trips. Even trips downtown for a baseball game make more financial sense to drive and pay $15 to park if you are with a group bigger than three people. (Four round trip fares on Metrolink = $16!)
Right now metro is a decent option for those who use it, but to be a truly successful system it has to be such a great option that those with other options still opt to use.
1. Waddell & Reed New HQ Tower:
The development plan was submitted today.
Height: 260' : 18 floors
Developer: Burns and MacDonald, FHC
General Contractor: Burns and MacDonald
Architect & Engineer: Burns and MacDonald
Tenant: Wadell & Reed
Rent: $55 per SQFT
Construction Start:
- Demo: Q4 2019
Open: H1 - 2022
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2. 1650 Broadway - KC Crossroads:
The proposal calls for two residential buildings, one seven stories, the other 12 stories, totaling 220 units, and a 12-story hotel with 220 rooms to be built at 1650 Broadway. A parking garage would be located beneath one of the buildings
Cost: $100 million
Developer: Mashburn Development
Announced: 12/9/2019
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The development plan was submitted today.
Height: 260' : 18 floors
Developer: Burns and MacDonald, FHC
General Contractor: Burns and MacDonald
Architect & Engineer: Burns and MacDonald
Tenant: Wadell & Reed
Rent: $55 per SQFT
Construction Start:
- Demo: Q4 2019
Open: H1 - 2022
2. 1650 Broadway - KC Crossroads:
The proposal calls for two residential buildings, one seven stories, the other 12 stories, totaling 220 units, and a 12-story hotel with 220 rooms to be built at 1650 Broadway. A parking garage would be located beneath one of the buildings
Cost: $100 million
Developer: Mashburn Development
Announced: 12/9/2019
Nice project proposals. W&R's tower is a bit odd since it includes no retail space. Kevin Collison told me W&R rejected this version. So we will see if retail is added. In my opinion, the building looks like a short version of 900 Church in Nashville (https://www.900chuch.com).
The Broadway project is nice. The buildings aren't too tall but they don't have to be. To me, the area around the Performing Arts Center is quite dead and needs some more life. Maybe this will help boost activity there. Maybe Hotel Bravo will return or be dumped in favor of apartments or condos.
The Broadway project is nice. The buildings aren't too tall but they don't have to be. To me, the area around the Performing Arts Center is quite dead and needs some more life. Maybe this will help boost activity there. Maybe Hotel Bravo will return or be dumped in favor of apartments or condos.
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A new Prospect BRT MAX line just started today and is free to ride (for 90 days and/or when city-wide starts). The new MAX stops have modern touch screen kiosks with WiFi with trip planning. This is through KC's violent E Side so will be interesting to see how this plays out before city-wide fare-less starts. I've been riding KC buses since the 90s and while there is an occasional troublemaker I haven't really come across vandalism or serious issues (does happen though). Concerns about homeless 'taking over' free streetcar didn't turn into any significant issues either. The newer buses last few years also have USB charging ports. I've seen gum in these in other cities, haven't see it yet on KC buses. KC will become the largest city proper to have city-wide free fare if this happens. If it works, could see burbs stepping in, especially KCK. JoCo I'd bet would be last if it ever happens.GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑Dec 08, 2019I think this warrants a discussion here
Proposal making Kansas City first major city with free public bus service moves forward
I am insanely jealous of this. Hopefully it works well and becomes of trend that spreads to STL. It just makes so much sense considering how much we spend on fare enforcement.
On the free fare thing, it would be interesting to compare operating costs and debt of RideKC and Metro. Maybe St. Louis could go free but I guess it depends on the two factors I mentioned.
Strata Tower has a start date eyed for the late summer 2020. This is due to design still being worked on, tenant commitments, working with Cordish to build the garage, and working with retail space tenants who may be affected by this project.
Once work does start, it should go vertical quick since it will be built on top of existing supports for the unbuilt H&R Block Tower 2.
Once work does start, it should go vertical quick since it will be built on top of existing supports for the unbuilt H&R Block Tower 2.
There's a new plan to cover the highway with a park and connect the Crossroads and Downtown. This plan shows Walnut Street closing.
https://www.kmbc.com/article/new-plan-f ... i/30260955
https://www.kmbc.com/article/new-plan-f ... i/30260955
