RUMOR: World's tallest proposed in KC?

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 2:52 pm

I thought it was strange that the EDC would talk about a project like this and lie about it... Since they confirmed that they talked w/ the man who wrote that article.

Post by **staubio** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 2:54 pm

I assume Collison talked to someone at the EDC. If not, has anyone on here tried to contact the EDC. Devin is right -- the EDC is the missing link here. If this is pure foolery, the EDC should know.

The story has changed once again to say that the EDC was contacted but was skeptical that the plan would move forward.

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 2:58 pm

[quote]GlobeSt.com UPDATE: Man Behind $3B Missouri Proposal Speaks
By Brian K. Miller
Last updated: April 29, 2004 08:21pm

KANSAS CITY, MO-NSL Holdings Inc. of Vancouver, BC, is planning a $3.5-billion two-phase development on 1,000 acres near here that it says includes the worldâ€™s tallest building (2,460 feet, 115 stories); the worldâ€™s largest enclosed mall (four levels, 17.5 million sf); the worldâ€™s largest greenhouse garden; the worldâ€™s largest planetarium, and; 400 acres of indoor and outdoor theme parks.

GlobeSt.com has confirmed the facts of this story with the EDC of Kansas City, though sources there have expressed skepticism about the liklihood of the project going forward. NSL stands for Neal S. Lachman, the 33-year-old Dutch entrepreneur behind the grand idea. Twice bankrupt, Lachman says he has a history in finance and the telecom industry but no development experience. "We just think that as a new investment firm, we have to do something to stand out," Lachman tells GlobeSt.com. "What would be just another strip mall?"

To those skeptical of the project and his ability to make it happen, Lachman says, "I don't care; they will wait and see. I won't sleep one day less or more if somebody believes this or not. We have an LOI, we are purchasing property, we are involving architects and designers, we have done months of research and invested thousands of man hours.

"The only thing that could stop this is that the financing won't go through. To minimize that risk we have chosen an untraditional approach, to finance it through hedge fund of prviate investors. I know already that we will get no less than $250 million worth of investment as soon as we open the subscription on this property, and will probably sell most all of the shares. We will be successful."

Lachman wouldn't get specific on where the project would be built, but he did tell GlobeSt.com he has put in an offer for land in Clay County, which is located immediately northeast Kansas City. As proposed in a 52-page concept plan, the Grand Americana Resort Estate would be developed by Grand Americana Kansas City Inc. The company would have two major shareholders: NSL Holdings Inc. (55%) and Grand Americana Malls & Resorts Corporation (45%), a company formed for the sole purpose of providing capital for the project.

Lachman says the 21st Century Group of Funds--another of his companies, originally formed to fund telecom start ups--will attempt to raise the $3.5 billion by placing a minimum of 500 investment-units of the non-incorporated hedge fund Grand Americana I at $7 million per unit to qualified purchasers, each representing a 0.2% ownership of Grand Americana Malls & Resorts Corporation. Subscription to shares/partnerships of GAKC Inc. for those interested in purchasing a partnership unit is planned to be available from Sept. 1, 2004 onward.

According to the plan, the worldâ€™s largest building would have only 115 floors because 50 floors would be twice as tall as typical floors in order to house the worldâ€™s most luxurious hotel, with an average daily room rate of $12,500. The building would have two public observation decks accessed via elevators attached to the outside of the structure. The building would sit on a multi-story podium that would house a 2.5-million-sf convention center as well as the aforementioned mall complex, which would include a shopping mall, an auto mall and a furniture mall. The greenhouse, called â€œMother Earthâ€

Slappy the Wang · Post by **Slappy the Wang** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:12 pm

The Biz Journal's online update notes that this is incredibly laughable and that the "developer" has gone bankrupt twice. The EDC basically says "all we did was agree to get them some info on KC."

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:14 pm

Wow, they just sent me the 50+ page briefing and I can't get through it all...it's nuts.

The only thing positive about this whole thing is KC getting a little national pub...how crazy the proposal is everybody knows but this is free advertising.

Slappy the Wang · Post by **Slappy the Wang** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:19 pm

KCPowercat wrote:Wow, they just sent me the 50+ page briefing and I can't get through it all...it's nuts.

The only thing positive about this whole thing is KC getting a little national pub...how crazy the proposal is everybody knows but this is free advertising.

I got it too.

It may be free advertising for KC, but the rest of the world sees this headline:

"HICK MIDWEST TOWN AWESTRUCK BY FANCY PLAN"

DanCa · Post by **DanCa** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:37 pm

If this is real, then they want to build it out in a rural area? And who would want to stay in "the world's most luxurious hotel", up that high, with basically nothing to look at? Observation decks to observe what at that height? That's part of the allure staying in a highrise hotel in NYC or Chicago - the view. Also, I wouldn't personally feel comfortable being up over 2000 feet. If it's supposed to go in Clay County, would that interfere w/KCI's flight patterns?

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:38 pm

who's awestruck?

Slappy the Wang · Post by **Slappy the Wang** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 4:03 pm

KCPowercat wrote:who's awestruck?

Apparently we are. We've been talking about it all day. I have to say Collison hasn't called me yet about my plan which is even more delicious than the original.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 4:05 pm

God if we were actually awestruck by everything we talked about on the message boards we frequent, we'd be sick people.

We're talking about how stupid the proposal is, not "when will construction start"

JBinKC · Post by **JBinKC** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 4:40 pm

I have contacted NSL and submitted my application for employment. I can't wait to start working there!!

OK, so the story is true, a concept plan exists, and Neal Lachman is a real person...so what, there are still 3.5 billion reasons this won't happen. Publicity ploy, pipe dream or otherwise, I still like the thought of it, and the strange happenstance that is was announced for KCMO.

By the map in the concept plan it looks like the land they are talking about is near Station Casino on the MO river off of Hwy 210. Isn't the KCMO sh!t factory just on the other side of the river from here??? That's not much of a view...

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:01 pm

hehe, now I am beginning to see the whole picture. this isn't a hoax, but it's not happening, and only because of the developer, not because of KC itself

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:09 pm

the guy at SSC says he can't post now b/c Neal is very mad. and doesn't wish him to explain to those who are in alot of doubt, or something to that effect.
This isn't gonna happen, I'm just as happy with KC Live, IRS, and the Federal Reserve
He did point out that KC Live is 2.5 billion dollars and is publicly financed (to a degree) and that this project won't be.

GRID · Post by **GRID** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 11:18 pm

I am completely amazed at how far this has gone. It took me for a little ride just trying to get to the bottom of it.

It's time to close this thread now and continue talking about the 3.5 billion dollars worth of urban core projects that are happening.

Slappy the Wang · Post by **Slappy the Wang** » Sat May 01, 2004 1:52 am

GRID wrote:
It's time to close this thread now and continue talking about the 18 billion dollars worth of urban core projects that are happening.

Exactly, please go to my thread titled "My Project and its Vision."

KCK · Post by **KCK** » Sat May 01, 2004 5:03 am

Someone do me a favor and superimpose the Sear's Tower into the Kansas City Skyline. The Sear's Tower is much taller than One Kansas City Place, and would stick out like a giant ugly dick. How about this guy build 4 30-story towers instead.

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Sat May 01, 2004 5:23 pm

hehe but its fun talking about this and putting it down.

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Sat May 01, 2004 9:56 pm

Well, I read the concept plan, and Neal himself emailed me, since he is from central europe his english isn't that good but it is still ok.
He is very passionate about this project and isn't going to let anything get in the way of it. (from what he said)
If he gives me permission I will post what he said.
He said the project really is more for the United States than it is from Kansas City. But he still wants to improve KC.
He just chose KC because we are stratigically located (that is my own spelling, sorry)

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Sat May 01, 2004 10:45 pm

He also said they are only a few million dollars away from being able to go out and sell shares to investors at 7,000,000 each to raise the needed 3,500,000,000 needed.
And I'm sure the ppl who invest will get discounts and specials with the hotels and theme parks.

If you think about it, I'm am sure he can find 500 people in the entire world willing to invest 7 million dollars into the project. And I did the math and at .2% ownership and 500 people per share, that equals up to 100% ownership.
I don't know where I saw it, I think it was in the concept plan, but they pointed out there are a very very large number of millionaires in this world. I can't remember, but I think the number for last year's increase in the # of millionares was 70% or something. Maybe that was something else.

Call me crazy, but I think he can pull this off. As long as he can find 500 people out of millions of millionaires willing to pay 7,000,000 to invest in this very large tourist attraction.

KCDevin · Post by **KCDevin** » Sun May 02, 2004 9:52 am

I have another email from him. He told me this will not replace Bartle Hall, Municiple Auditorium or Wof or Oof.
Also, he told me that his contacts will invest about 1/2 of the 3,500,000,000 needed in the project. Which of course means he would just have to find 250 more ppl, or anyone willing to buy more than one share.
He also told me to expect a story on our local NBC Action News station this week.
Also, he plans that it will take 3 years to earn the 3.5 billion dollars needed. And then of course, after those 3 years, construction would start.
And of course, then you figure his contacts are already going to pay half the amount, he just needs to earn the other half in those 3 years.