St. Louis Developer Pursuing 228-Unit Apartment Project in Crossroads

By Kevin Collison

A St. Louis developer with deep urban chops has picked up the quest to build an apartment project on the site of the vacant Faultless Linen building at 1923 Broadway in the Crossroads.

Lux Living is pursuing a $50 million, 228-unit development at the northeast corner of 20th street and Broadway, the same location that Opus Development was pursuing a similar project before dropping its plan earlier this year.

Victor Alston, CEO of Lux Living, said his firm has had its eye on Kansas City for sometime.

“The Crossroads is a very interesting area,” he said, “it’s close to downtown and it’s an area that’s been doing well.”

Lux Living describes itself as “a burgeoning national real estate development team capable of all phases of a deal — from the development and brokerage, to daily management, marketing, and lease-up,” on its web page.

Alston said his firm prides itself on providing top amenities to its residents at a good value.

“The neighborhood has a tremendous amount of high-end, luxury apartments,” he said. “Generally speaking, we’re never at the top end of the market although our amenities go toe-to-toe with the top end.”

The layout of the Lux Living apartment project calls for the entrance to be on 20th Street. (Drawing by VE Design Group)

The Crossroads has seen multiple apartment projects the past couple years including the 283-unit City Club Apartments at 20th and Main; the 132-unit REVERB at 18th and Walnut; the 126-unit ARTerra at 20th and Wyandotte, and the 341-unit Artistry KC at 19th and Oak.

The proposed Lux Living project would include a pool deck, lounge, large fitness room and sky lounge with views of downtown. A small ‘bistro-size’ commercial space also is envisioned on 20th Street.

A plan prepared in late October and filed with the City Planning Department indicates the proposed Crossroads project would be five-stories above ground with two levels of underground parking.

The breakdown would be 74 studios; 40 studios with alcoves; 109 one-bedroom, and five, two-bedroom apartments. The garage would have 209 spaces.

City planners are recommending the garage design on the north elevation and part of the west facade of the project to be tweaked so its not solid brick.

“Blank walls on parking structures are discouraged, particularly on corridor streets,” according to the staff recommendation.

City planners are recommending the blank garage wall on the north elevation of the plan be modified. (Image from Lux Living)

“The exterior finish and architectural articulation should enhance the facade design, complement surrounding buildings and screen the parking area.”

The report indicated the developer is willing to make modifications to the design.

Alston said his construction timetable depends on the city approval process. He also said there is no plan to seek a property tax abatement as a public incentive.

“We’re eager to do it quickly, but I can’t put a timetable on it,” he said.

Lux Living’s St. Louis portfolio includes multiple projects in its downtown, Soulard and Central West End neighborhoods including the 93-unit Ely Walker Lofts; 152-unit Chelsea; 42-unit Icehouse; 160-unit Tribeca, and 128-unit Steelyard.

The firm’s website indicates it’s also pursuing apartment projects in Dallas and Nashville.

The Crossroads has seen multiple apartment projects the past couple years including the 283-unit City Club Apartments at 20th and Main; the 132-unit REVERB at 18th and Walnut; the 126-unit ARTerra at 20th and Wyandotte, and the 341-unit Artistry KC at 19th and Oak.

The most recent report by Colliers International found that during the third quarter of this year, the Central Kansas City apartment submarket, which includes downtown, averaged 94 percent occupancy with an average monthly rent at $1,266.

Liam Dai contributed to this report