Another Big Apartment Plan in Works near Country Club Plaza

A 10-story apartment project is being proposed at 4627 Madison Ave. near the Country Club Plaza by Block Real Estate Services, just across the street from another residential tower being pursued by the firm.

Plans filed with the city indicate the proposed development would include 218 apartments on top of a four-level, 477-space garage. It would be located on a parking lot north of the Plaza Corporate Centre at 800 W. 47th St.

Across Madison Avenue, Block Real Estate already has the approvals necessary to build a 15-story luxury apartment tower on a vacant, triangular site where Roanoke Parkway and Madison meet at 46th Street.

That project, The Madison, was first proposed in in 2016. No construction activity has occurred however, since it completed the city approval process in early 2022.

The 238-unit The Madison development also would include a row of townhouse-style apartments along Roanoke. A 374-space garage would be built into the slope of the site.

Aaron Mesmer of Block said the two projects are separate and progress relies on lining up investors. He added that rising construction and interest costs have made the apartment development market difficult.

“Our goal now is to have everything teed up so when a deal comes into the strike zone, we’ll be able to go ahead,” he said.

The new proposal at 4627 Madison also joins another big apartment development proposed by Lane4 Properties at 4711 Belleview Ave. The firm wants to build a 13-story project that would hold 328 apartments.

The Port KC board recently approved the framework of a deal that would provide the developer with a 20-year property tax abatement, 10 years at 85%, five years at 80%, and five years at 75%.

The 4711 Belleview development planned by Lane4 Properties was approved by the City Council last year. It would be located on property that includes the former JJ’s restaurant location, which was destroyed in an explosion in 2013.

Together, should the three projects move forward, it would add almost 800 apartments in a roughly two-block area on the west side of the Plaza.

While the historic Country Club Plaza itself and its retail and security situation have been the topic of community concern, and the owners have defaulted on a $295 million loan, the area around the Plaza has experienced strong development interest.

In addition to the three apartment proposals, Price Management also recently completed the 102-unit West Plaza Flats project at 44th and Belleview.

A $100 million-plus hotel development by Capital Management at 46th Terrace and Wornall Road also is nearing completion.

The 124-room Aloft hotel opened in January and the adjoining 180-room Cascade is expected to open next month. The Cascade will include a Strang Food Hall with four chef-driven concepts and two bars.

Flatland contributor Kevin Collison is the founder of CityScene KC, an online source for downtown news and issues.

More on Flatland

Country Club Plaza Backers See Silver Lining in Loan Default A loan default by the owners of the Country Club Plaza has lifted the hopes of Plaza advocates about the future of the venerable shopping district. 

Mayor Backs Push for a ‘Pedestrianized’ Country Club Plaza A new group is pushing to covert some Country Club Plaza streets to pedestrian use, the latest expression of concern over the venerable civic landmark.