Development
Work on $57M Fashionbilt Lofts May Start Next Spring
By Kevin Collison The developer of the proposed 222-unit Fashionbilt Lofts near Quality Hill is wrapping up his application for historic tax credits and anticipates starting work on the $57 million project this spring. Gary Hassenflu of MW Development plans to renovate the historic Barton Brothers Shoe Co. Building at 423 W. Eighth St., build…
Persistence Bears Fruit at 2000 Vine Redevelopment
(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Aug. 20.) By Kevin Collison The developers of the 2000 Vine historic redevelopment are beginning to taste the fruits of their hard work over the past three years, but are candid describing how tough it can be doing projects on the East Side. “It’s become painfully clear and…
Historic Mason Building on Grand Could Become $11M Boutique Hotel
By Kevin Collison The historic Mason Building, now an inconspicuous office building wedged along Grand Boulevard, could become a 35-room boutique hotel, bar and restaurant if plans being pursued by a St. Louis developer come to fruition. Metropolitan Build has submitted preliminary inquiries at City Hall to determine whether the old building could become the…
St. Louis Gets First Urban Target, Can KC Be Far Behind?
By Kevin Collison The announcement last week Target plans to open one of its smaller urban stores as part of a midtown St. Louis development has prompted renewed speculation about when the chain plans something similar here. Perhaps as early as next year, according to real estate sources, although exactly where in Kansas City’s “River-Crown-Plaza”…
Historic Oglesby Hotel Being Restored as Affordable Housing on Troost
By Kevin Collison The historic Oglesby Hotel near 39th and Troost is being preserved and renovated as an affordable apartment project thanks to its good neighbor, St. James Catholic Church. The 130 year-old, Queen Anne-style mansion will find new life providing 25, one-bedroom apartments renting for $650 per month. Eight units will be eligible for…
Riverfront Soccer Stadium Planned, Includes ‘Massive’ Bar Overlooking Water
By Kevin Collison A $70 million, privately-funded women’s professional soccer stadium planned for the riverfront should spur more intensive residential development and quicken the pace of streetcar expansion. “I view this more as a gem you build the verticality around,” said Jon Stephens, Port KC president and CEO. “We’re still committed to millions of square feet…
Building at 17th and Washington Slated to Become Foodie Destination
(Editor’s note: CityScene is taking some time off for a vacation, this article originally appeared on July 28.) By Kevin Collison The former Screenland property at 17th and Washington is about to become a foodie oasis, its parking lot replaced with a landscaped courtyard and stage, and the surrounding level hosting a restaurant, bar and…
City Affordable Housing Policy Criticized at Industry Apartment Summit
By Kevin Collison The affordable housing mandate approved by the City Council earlier this year has slowed project applications to a trickle despite robust growth in the overall metropolitan apartment industry, real estate professionals said Thursday. “In Kansas City, there are headwinds,” Jeff Stingley of CBRE told the audience attending the 2021 Kansas City Apartment…
Revised Jamestown Square Plan Spares Building Tied to Truman
By Kevin Collison Harry Truman can relax, a small residential building in the Volker neighborhood he invested in briefly 100 years ago is safe now that developers of the proposed Jamestown Square apartment project have found a way to work around it. At a recent virtual briefing to the Volker Neighborhood Association, a representative of…
Conversion of Historic Ozark Building to Hotel Begins at Ninth and Grand
By Kevin Collison Preliminary demolition work has begun on converting the historic Ozark building at Ninth and Grand into a 249-room AC Hotels by Marriott with completion anticipated in about two years. “In terms of historic buildings, I think it’s in exceptional condition,” said Derek Alley, CEO of VCC construction, the contractor doing the project….