Business
Lightwell Lands Two Tech Tenants
The lightwell office tower, formerly City Center Square, has landed two tech-oriented tenants: the Kansas City Tech Council and PayIt, a digital payment platform founded locally in 2013. PayIt is relocating from 1812 Broadway and plans to lease 23,000 square feet this June in the 30-story building currently being renovated at 12th and Main. The…
Crossroads Landing DGX, Dollar General’s Urban Concept Store
By Kevin Collison DGX, Dollar General’s new urban store concept, is coming to the Crossroads as part of the City Club Apartment development at 20th and Main. A 4,800 square-foot store that will offer a variety of products including grab-and-go foods, home cleaning supplies, home decor, electronics, pet supplies, paper products, coffee and fresh fruits…
No More Daily Nada
By Kevin Collison Our Daily Nada, the River Market bookstore and café inspired by a Hemingway short story, has closed its doors after operating less than two years. The commercial creation of a pair of attorneys, Andrea Back and Amy Covitz, sparked a lot of enthusiasm, but failed to generate enough business to make the…
New Loews Offers Spectacular Downtown Views, Luxury Accommodations
(Editor’s note: Updated May 14: Loews has announced June 1 as the new opening date for its KC Convention Center Hotel. The following is a statement from Loews: “Loews Hotels & Co is thrilled to announce that they will officially open the new Loews Kansas City Hotel on June 1, 2020. “Becoming an integral part…
‘Hypebeast’ Boutique Opening at Crown Center
Initial, a streetwear boutique that describes itself as specializing in “hypebeast fashion,” is opening a shop on the second floor of the Crown Center shopping center. The shop founded by Ivan Quiu, will feature high-end brands aimed toward the hypebeast fashion scene including Gucci, Nike, Comme des Garcons, Louis Vuitton, Vape Apparel and others, according…
New Loews Key to Landing Events With Over 100K Attendees So Far
By Kevin Collison The new Loews Kansas City Convention Hotel scheduled to open April 2 already is beginning to pay off, playing a key role in landing conventions totaling more than 100,000 people over the next eight years. At its recent Annual Tourism Outlook event, Visit KC reported this year alone, the new 800-room Loews…
Waddell & Reed Reveals Headquarters Design, Signs Lease
By Kevin Collison Waddell & Reed has signed a lease for its new, 1,000-employee downtown headquarters and released a design that depicts an 18-story glass tower resembling a cubist stack of multiple, angled boxes. The building, designed by Burns & McDonnell, is planned for the southwest corner of 14th and Baltimore and across the South…
Last Minute Sweetener Wins Council Approval for Waddell & Reed Downtown Headquarters
By Kevin Collison After another last minute incentive compromise accompanied by the blessing of the school district, the Kansas City Council voted 8-4 Thursday to approve a plan that will bring the headquarters of Waddell & Reed and 1,000 well-paid employees to downtown. “What we wanted to do is, we have a developer, we have…
Planned Convention Center Garage Has Potential Partner–Kansas City Southern
By Kevin Collison A growing Kansas City Southern wants to explore a potential partnership with the city developing property next door slated for a proposed convention center garage. Last week, the City Council agreed to purchase the so-called Carpenter site at 1200 Broadway for a planned garage. The decision was supported by a top railroad…
Council Abruptly Revises $140M Waddell & Reed Deal, Delays Vote
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Council abruptly changed the terms of the $140 million Waddell & Reed headquarters development deal Thursday, injecting last-minute uncertainty to a project that’s expected to bring 1,000 well-paid jobs to downtown. In a substitute amendment introduced during the Council meeting, a 15-year, 75 percent property tax abatement that was…