The Midland Lofts (formerly Midland Office Building)

[FangKC]

Project renamed to "The Midland Lofts."

Yay!

[normalthings]

Project is bidding

[DaveKCMO]

It's about time!

[normalthings]

Traffic control for construction permit issued!

dumpster for debris removal for mitigation/reconstruction work.

Start Date: 03/02/2021
End Date: 03/29/2021

https://compasskc.kcmo.org/EnerGov_Prod ... b=moreinfo

[DColeKC]

Traffic and street/lane closures are about to become a real pain downtown. Between a few projects stations up and Grand and Walnut being shut down on the weekends to prevent the donut shows.

[KCPowercat]

We are all too used to grand being shut down let's just hope some sidewalks are spared (despite clear ordinances against them being closed)

[normalthings]

Traffic and street/lane closures are about to become a real pain downtown. Between a few projects stations up and Grand and Walnut being shut down on the weekends to prevent the donut shows.

STL put jersey barriers in the street at intersections and in the middle of longer sections. At these points only the center lane or 2 are traversable. The barriers stay up 24/7.

[Chris Stritzel]

Traffic and street/lane closures are about to become a real pain downtown. Between a few projects stations up and Grand and Walnut being shut down on the weekends to prevent the donut shows.

STL put jersey barriers in the street at intersections and in the middle of longer sections. At these points only the center lane or 2 are traversable. The barriers stay up 24/7.

That was done after a teenage girl from DeSoto was killed last summer walking around downtown. Downtown St. Louis was the Wild West with cars last summer, so measures had to be taken. But it did work to slow some cars and prevent people from doing donuts. This year, the hope is the barriers can be removed. More permanent solutions are being looked at.

[DColeKC]

We are all too used to grand being shut down let's just hope some sidewalks are spared (despite clear ordinances against them being closed)

As far as within the PNL district, I’m sure sidewalks will be a priority.

I can’t think of a much better reason to shut down grand than to stop these dangerous situations from happening.

[FangKC]

Are the former retail spaces going to be apartments too, lobby / amenity space, or will they return as retail spaces?

[normalthings]

Are the former retail spaces going to be apartments too, lobby / amenity space, or will they return as retail spaces?

lobby/amenity.

[Chris Stritzel]

Redevelopment to begin later this summer. Some points from the Press Release...

The conversion of the historic Midland office building into the 139-unit, affordably priced Midland Lofts will begin this summer.

The Midland Lofts will sit in the midst of the burgeoning downtown Power & Light District neighborhood, directly connected to the Midland Theater and steps away from Cosentino's Downtown Market, Onelife Fitness, the KC streetcar line and dozens of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. An underutilized historic jewel that has been vacant for more than 20 years, the renovated building will include 139 units available for rent featuring multiple open-concept studio and one-bedroom floor plans. Pricing for the units in The Midland Lofts will begin at $700 per month.

"We are eager to bring the historic Midland building back to life as Midland Lofts," said Marnie Sauls, executive director of Residential Management for Cordish Living. "The residential renaissance of downtown Kansas City began with historic conversions and we think it is fitting as we begin this next phase of the renaissance that we are adding both high-rise new construction and a historic renovation of the highest quality to the Power & Light District."

Amenities at The Midland Lofts will include an impressive street-level lobby with large windows bringing in natural light, and multiple seating areas for conversation and entertainment, including a coffee bar and entertainment kitchen at the corner of 13th & Baltimore. There will also be a conference room, fitness center, music room, theater, rooftop deck, and various amenity spaces spread throughout the building for ease of resident access.

Local Kansas City architecture and design firm Helix is the project architect for The Midland Lofts. Helix was also the project architect for the historic renovations of the Midland Theater and Mainstreet Theaters in the Power & Light District. RD Jones Interior Design is the interior designer for The Midland Lofts amenity spaces and Three Light.

The architecture and the interior design of The Midland Lofts reflect the rich history and unique character of the building and theater while channeling the upscale finishes and design of One Light and Two Light. While the pricing for apartments in The Midland Lofts will start at $700 per month, the level of finish, amenities and attention to detail at The Midland will meet the same high bar as One Light, Two Light and Three Light.

"The Midland Lofts renovation is a significant step in the direction of making downtown KC more broadly accessible to the downtown workforce," said Emelyna Aurich, director of Property Management for Cordish Living. "We are extremely excited to be introducing so many apartment units to the Power & Light District that are priced below $1,000 per month and we firmly believe The Midland Lofts can be a catalyst for the development of more moderately priced apartment units downtown – both growing our density and making the community more affordable."

Plans for these projects are more robust today than what was originally outlined in the agreement between The Cordish Companies and the city of Kansas City, Missouri. Original plans called for Cordish to build 68 apartments within the Midland Office Building. The revised plans have 139 total units, and Cordish agreed that one-third of the units in the Midland would be affordable for renters making 80% of the area median income. The updated program for The Midland Lofts has all units priced below that threshold.

Renovations of the 12-story Midland Office Building are expected to begin in Q3 2021 and will be completed in Q4 2022.

Here are the renderings that came with it. Just like the Three Light renderings, you can click on these to download the full size...

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[FangKC]

My only criticism here is I wish they were using the first floor for retail businesses instead tenant amenities. It would contribute more to street life. That space would be a good location for a convenience store.

[DaveKCMO]

My only criticism here is I wish they were using the first floor for retail businesses instead tenant amenities. It would contribute more to street life. That space would be a good location for a convenience store.

Same. I assume they don't want to compete with the other retail stalls that are officially P&L.

[DColeKC]

My only criticism here is I wish they were using the first floor for retail businesses instead tenant amenities. It would contribute more to street life. That space would be a good location for a convenience store.

Same. I assume they don't want to compete with the other retail stalls that are officially P&L.

Space was just more limited on this project. Retail spaces create revenue but amenity spaces sell apartments. Being more affordable units, more the better as well.

[KCPowercat]

A convenience store is a huge amenity. Much more than a movie room.

[DColeKC]

A convenience store is a huge amenity. Much more than a movie room.

Not when there's a full service grocery store 300ft from your front door.

[KCPowercat]

Lol yes still.

[DColeKC]

Lol yes still.

Don't ever get into the apartment building/operating game. We will just end up with empty buildings.

You seem to forget they think about these things. Why in the world would a landlord put a business within eyesight of another tenant that will have a negative revenue impact on that tenant. Especially one that's been a long term and highly successful tenant. Restaurants are a bit more understandable, but two stores selling similar grocery and convenience items doesn't work.

Also, not sure what your living situation is, but yes, amenities like a movie room, game area, quiet lounge etc are more desired than having access to soda and candy bars in the bottom of your residential building.

[KCPowercat]

Especially for affordable housing I disagree. Having a convenience store with longer hours and convenience store items and mix in some drug store items, way more important than some of the new building amenities that are used to lure in the renter who will pay a premium rent and is wowed by all the fun amenities and rarely uses them.

Downtown and p&l visitors would greatly benefit too.