Development
Waddell & Reed Sold, Future of Downtown HQ Plans Uncertain
By Kevin Collison Waddell & Reed has been sold to an Australian global financial firm, casting a big shadow over its plans to relocate its headquarters to a $148 million downtown tower under construction that was approved for tax incentives only a year ago. The Overland Park-based firm announced late Wednesday it has entered into…
Developer Snaps Up Buildings on Main Near Planned Streetcar Stops
By Kevin Collison Exact Partners is continuing to snap up properties along the planned streetcar extension on Main Street, purchasing two office buildings at corners near where stops will be located at 31st and 39th streets. The firm, which includes Caleb Buland of Exact Architects and his partner Ilan Salzberg of Denver, is investing $10…
Artistry KC Adds Living to East Crossroads Scene
By Kevin Collison The East Crossroads is joining the downtown residential revival in a big way this week as Artistry KC, a 341-unit development that occupies almost two blocks, opens its leasing office 1918 Locust. The $72 million project by Indianapolis-based Milhaus, is the first major new construction in a corner of downtown that’s been…
Crossroads Newest Boutique Hotel Part of City Club Blend
By Kevin Collison City Club Apartments formally opened in the Crossroads this week and during a visit to the project, the top executive of its Detroit-based development firm touted its attributes, particularly its unique hospitality feature. Jonathan Holtzman, CEO of City Club, noted the 283-unit development at 20th and Main not only has traditional rental…
Developers Pursuing Affordable Housing Projects on Riverfront
Two developers are proposing separate projects that would add 166 affordable apartments along the riverfront and are seeking state low income housing tax credits to help finance their plans, according to a Port KC report released Tuesday. The developers, who were not identified, plan to submit their low income housing tax credit applications to the…
Proposal Would Redevelop Historic Westport High as Apartments
(Editor’s note: The PIEA board approved a blight study for the Westport High School redevelopment proposal on Oct. 15, the first step in the agency’s review of the plan.) By Kevin Collison The developers who renovated the former Westport Middle School into co-working space now are tackling the historic high school across the street, proposing…
KC a National Leader Converting Old Buildings to Apartments
By Kevin Collison Kansas City ranks among the top 10 cities in the country when it comes to converting older buildings to apartments, the large majority of them downtown office towers, according to a new report by RENTCafé. The report by the national real estate research firm found 43 buildings in Kanas City have been…
Mac Wraps Up Red Cross, Big Armour Crossing Rez Project Starts Soon
By Kevin Collison The former American Red Cross building in Midtown has been reborn as the ARC on Armour apartments, the latest residential project in the Armour corridor developed by Chicago-based Mac Properties. The three-story, 56,000 square-foot former headquarters at 211 W. Armour was built in 1945 and was vacated by the Red Cross in…
Developers Pursuing Big Residential Projects at 18th & Vine District
By Kevin Collison Private developers are pursuing two major residential and retail projects in the 18th & Vine District that would revitalize an approximately two-block section on the west side of the historic neighborhood. A local development group, 1900 Vine Street LLC, that includes Kelvin Simmons, a former Kansas City Councilman and state economic director,…
New Royals Owner Talks About Downtown Baseball, East Village
(Editor’s note: This article first appeared in CityScene KC on Jan. 3, 2020) While cautioning it’s early in the game, John Sherman, the new owner of the Royals, has no problem talking up the economic benefits of downtown baseball and says he’s already being lobbied on possible sites. “Baseball creates more economic opportunity in denser…