Developers propose loft-style housing in Olathe

[KCgridlock]

Developers propose loft-style housing in Olathe
By KATIE WEEKS
The Kansas City Star

Bare furnace pipes standing floor to ceiling and wooden rafters contrasting with modern stainless steel counter tops embody a typical urban loft apartment.

Remodeled warehouses, factories or space above retail shops is typically used for living space as a way to revitalize downtown areas and make the best use of space in highly populated areas.

But now developers are building lofts in suburbs like Olathe using high ceilings, exposed brick walls and timber to give suburban dwellers a city-slicker feel.

"Everyone doesn't want to live on a cul-de-sac in a brown, gray or charcoal house," said Vic Applebaum of Haven Development Group Inc., who will break ground on 120 lofts early next year as part of a 100-acre mixed-use development a mile west of Kansas 7 on Santa Fe Street.

About 700 assorted living units in his development will include connected row homes and single-family homes.

Applebaum's New Village is one of two projects in Olathe to include lofts. The other is Village Square Neighborhood Center, which the Olathe City Council will consider Dec. 17, to include 102 lofts, above 118,600 square feet of retail and office space on nearly 32 acres at the southwest corner of 119th Street and Pflumm Road. Also included would be at least 53 town homes.

Lofts in Olathe are being proposed primarily with neighborhood centers, which are developments with retail, office and residential uses that resemble pre-World War II neighborhoods. This means homes are closer together, yards are smaller and porches are more common for neighborly interaction. Alleys and garages are behind homes.

Developers say they are shooting for pedestrian-friendly developments with some maintenance provided because they think there is a practically untouched market for it.

"I live out near 131st and Pflumm, and I was leaving to go to Town Center or Brookeside for shopping," said Marlys Weirick, developer of the proposed Village Square Neighborhood Center. "I found myself wishing there was something like that out here."

Olathe developers say their niche market for lofts would be baby boomers who no longer want to maintain a large home for one or two people, single-parent families who don't have time to take care of a yard, frequent travelers and young professionals.

In Applebaum's New Village, 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot lofts will sell for $190,000 to $285,000. In Weirick's Village Square, 800- to 1,100-square-foot lofts will be rented for $800 to $1,100 a month.

Applebaum said the Olathe developments will offer a loft lifestyle close to the upscale shopping in Johnson County.

"They may want to live in the suburbs to avoid crime, too," he said.

A third project with lofts was proposed as part of a 15-acre neighborhood center at the northwest corner of 159th and Ridgeview Road but was denied in June. That proposal, by developer Joe Campbell, included lofts, town homes and some businesses. City officials said it didn't meet the city's comprehensive plan and that the building height and design did not correspond with surrounding developments.

City planner Mearas said Olathe will have to wait until some of the planned lofts are actually built to see how hot the market is for the citylike living space.

"Cities tend to roll their sidewalks up at night," said Kyle Mearas, an Olathe planner. "But if you have that residential infused in there from the beginning, your neighborhood is more vibrant."

[trailerkid]

They have city planners in Olathe???!!!??