KCRag Forum

DaveKCMO wrote:

Midtownkid wrote:The Restoration Hardware on the Plaza closed. Too bad, it was a nice looking store.

I wonder what will happen to the space? I hope something great that uses the intact architectural details and maybe even makes use of the movie theater portion. Really hope they don't gut it

i say restore the plaza theater as a theater. could be an event space, concert venue, single-screen premium cinema, etc. they could still have some smaller retail stalls, just not the entire thing.

I've heard the new owners want to take the plaza in a different direction. More grown up stuff - less teenage clothing oriented. No movies.

It is possible to have movies without teenagers.

Highlander wrote:
I've heard the new owners want to take the plaza in a different direction. More grown up stuff - less teenage clothing oriented. No movies.

Millenials are the largest demographic. They are no longer teenagers. They are adults with jobs and money now. I expect most retailers are shifting to meet their needs.

As seen in that photo, I never knew 47th St had angle parking.

Highlander wrote:
I've heard the new owners want to take the plaza in a different direction. More grown up stuff - less teenage clothing oriented. No movies.

So, The Plaza wants to become Westport now?

beautyfromashes wrote:

Highlander wrote:
I've heard the new owners want to take the plaza in a different direction. More grown up stuff - less teenage clothing oriented. No movies.

So, The Plaza wants to become Westport now?

No - back to the days of an exclusive shopping center. Not sure that will be all that easy to accomplish.

grovester wrote:It is possible to have movies without teenagers.

ban them, like the cinemark used to do.

beautyfromashes wrote:

Highlander wrote:
I've heard the new owners want to take the plaza in a different direction. More grown up stuff - less teenage clothing oriented. No movies.

So, The Plaza wants to become Westport now?

lol westport = grown up

^ yes, was being a little tongue in cheek.

Aside from West Elm, Restoration Hardware was the last national home goods store on the Plaza, no?

Midtownkid wrote:The Restoration Hardware on the Plaza closed. Too bad, it was a nice looking store.

I wonder what will happen to the space? I hope something great that uses the intact architectural details and maybe even makes use of the movie theater portion. Really hope they don't gut it

i thought i read somewhere (probably on this board) that, for some reason, the KC Restoration Hardware is a really high-performing store and that KC was being considered for a more flagship type store? Did i make that up?

.

Here is a list of all of the current proposals or pending development surrounding the plaza. This excludes the currently under construction whole foods/UMKC apartments. All in all its over 800 units. Did I miss anything substantial?

47th and Madison/Roanoke Pkwy (The Triangle)
Units: 150+(?)
Height: 10+
Note: Proposed- Apt over retail

48th and Summit (Old Nelle Peters Site)
Units: 175
Height: 6
Note: Proposed- Stated not to need incentives

46th and Jefferson
Office
Height: 12
Note: Proposed- I’ve heard this is looking to move forward…just a rumor though

46th and Broadway/Wornall
Units:132/ Hotel- 175
Height: 10
Note: Approved- no incentives

46th and JC Nichols
Units: 84
Height: 7 (Currently 4 w/ parking garage- proposed addition of 3 levels)
Note: Proposed senior living

44th and Washington Street- midblock
Units: 18
Height: 3
Note: Approved-no incentives

44th and Washington
Unit: 188
Height: 4
Note: Proposed- wrapped garage- no incentives

45th Ter and Broadway
Units 31
Height: ?
Note: Proposed- No incentives

46th and Walnut
Units: 98
Height: ?
Note: Commercial and Rez- Proposed

And for some reason I thought I remember seeing a proposal for both the corner of 44th and walnut and 43rd and Walnut for new apartments…but I can’t find where I saw that.

RE: Plaza Theater - I've always thought that space would make a great small performing arts venue, and as such would add some much needed cultural appeal to the Plaza proper.

Does anyone know how much of the auditorium interior remains?

Apple Store opens 8/20.

rxlexi wrote:RE: Plaza Theater - I've always thought that space would make a great small performing arts venue, and as such would add some much needed cultural appeal to the Plaza proper.

Does anyone know how much of the auditorium interior remains?

In my youth a buddy of mine and I got in where the old theater is. I only went there once when it was still open for business. It closed in 99. We got in probably circa 2002-2003?

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If you go down the dead end alley across from Topsy's, then happen to get lucky with some unlocked doors and don't mind running up stairs next to windows, you can get up on the roof. After that walk over to where you're above Restoration hardware, and another lucky unlocked door takes you right into the projection room which is elevated above the otherwise flat roof. I remember going in a door on the right side where I circled but I can't make out where it is now. There was a bunch of dusty old reels, projector equipment, manuals, and trash. If memory serves me there was a row or two of seats up there in front of the projection booth, and we could see through cracks in a drop ceiling into Restoration hardware below. We didn't get any pictures unfortunately, this was obviously before smartphones.

My memories are a little fuzzy now of what it was like in there, I remember seeing the top of the screen where there was a crest, but I don't recall much else, such as if the ornate ceiling still existed or anything. My guess is it's still there, since there was a drop ceiling where you could look through cracks to Restoration Hardware or offices below. But, I think that would also mean that the theater would not be useable becase seats/floor was removed so that Restoration Hardware had a taller ceiling or so that offices could be added. Wish I had taken photos

A little history and some old photos:
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1434

kboish wrote:Here is a list of all of the current proposals or pending development surrounding the plaza. This excludes the currently under construction whole foods/UMKC apartments. All in all its over 800 units. Did I miss anything substantial?

47th and Madison/Roanoke Pkwy (The Triangle)
Units: 150+(?)
Height: 10+
Note: Proposed- Apt over retail

Any renderings or articles on this development? I see the sign everyday on the way to work but that is it...

Yeah, this is a particularly interesting one I haven't heard of.

hartliss wrote:

kboish wrote:Here is a list of all of the current proposals or pending development surrounding the plaza. This excludes the currently under construction whole foods/UMKC apartments. All in all its over 800 units. Did I miss anything substantial?

47th and Madison/Roanoke Pkwy (The Triangle)
Units: 150+(?)
Height: 10+
Note: Proposed- Apt over retail

Any renderings or articles on this development? I see the sign everyday on the way to work but that is it...

There isn't any article on the development I am aware of. It was discussed at length during the plaza/midtown area plan hearings because the height for this site was lowered from what was previously allowed. As a matter of fact, I am now remembering that the lawyers were discussing the potential purchase of the property. Since this particular parcel was not grandfathered under the previous plan they may have not completed the purchase and the project I'm listing may be dead.

http://kansascity.granicus.com/MediaPla ... ip_id=9357

Skip to 1 hour 29 minutes to hear her and others talk about it at length.

Interesting, thanks for sharing.