Plaza move-ins (ongoing)

[GRID]

I know it is the only lot the city controls, but really I don't care if it gets developed at all right now. There is already so many grass lots directly adjacent or just a block away from Main, and it's been that way for years. I'd rather see something there first. But again, the tennis courts are the only one the city can directly influence.

I agree with this. I'm also afraid it will end up being just another five over one and that would be a tragedy in such a prime location.

[langosta]

I know it is the only lot the city controls, but really I don't care if it gets developed at all right now. There is already so many grass lots directly adjacent or just a block away from Main, and it's been that way for years. I'd rather see something there first. But again, the tennis courts are the only one the city can directly influence.

I agree with this. I'm also afraid it will end up being just another five over one and that would be a tragedy in such a prime location.

I do not think Historic KC or other groups will let it be anything tall.

[FangKC]

I've found a few buildings that can be studies in what can be built on that parcel. They are to give some idea of scale, facade design, architectural elements, color, and texture. Some of the smaller buildings could have additional floors added.

[FangKC]

[FangKC]

[FangKC]

[Chris Stritzel]

^All of those are fantastic and would be great at the Plaza Tennis Courts site, but I don't see any of the 4 developers being looked at for this site being daring.

[FangKC]

The City can always deny development rights based solely on the architectural design not being appropriate and send them back to the drawing board.

...
The city's RFP said officials would favor submissions with higher apartment counts,... and design elements that reflect the Plaza's history and character. ...

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/ ... 8&empos=p7

[GRID]

I know it is the only lot the city controls, but really I don't care if it gets developed at all right now. There is already so many grass lots directly adjacent or just a block away from Main, and it's been that way for years. I'd rather see something there first. But again, the tennis courts are the only one the city can directly influence.

I agree with this. I'm also afraid it will end up being just another five over one and that would be a tragedy in such a prime location.

I do not think Historic KC or other groups will let it be anything tall.

I'm not talking about tall. I'm talking about a very well thought out design that fits in that spot. Something that compliments the plaza and makes a connection from the streetcar to the plaza. A boxy generic five over one on that block across the street from the JC Nichols fountain and the Giralda Tower would look terrible.

I think something could go there, but it would have take a true "outside of the box" type development and that's highly unlikely. So may as well just leave the tennis courts there IMO. But we shall see what they come up with. Maybe I will be impressed and surprised.

[Metro]

^Please. No more Block selections. They sit and hold. Look at how long their stuff at 47th and Madison is taking. What about them going silent on the Hospital Hill stuff?

Grayson Capital has yet to actually start any type of construction on Mohawk/1531 Holmes despite having that groundbreaking event last year. Their projects at 18th and Paseo will also start to eat them up a bit. They need to make moves on these things and actually get the projects going before pursuing something else.

Petra seems like they could be a decent option based on their portfolio, but I notice they don't actually show any completed buildings. Just six rendered projects (3 in Frisco Texas and 3 in the DC area). https://petradevelopment.com/portfolio/

SomeraRoad, depending on what they bring to the table, could be a good option because they have a track record of getting things done. They seem eager to get going in the West Bottoms and have had success with the Lightwell Building. They also likely bring investor connections to get something done here.

In all submissions, I don't expect a high-rise or anything exceeding 7-stories. I'd be pleasantly surprised if any response did exceed that height. No matter what's selected, there will be opposition. Design needs to be of high quality and the developer needs to be willing to move at a decent pace to deliver. It seems that RFPs often lead to stalled projects or projects that don't have an immediate timeline for construction (see 12th and Broadway or, again, 1531 Holmes).

do you think the 47th and Madison project wont happen?

[FangKC]

Bloch's site has that parcel up for sale.

https://www.blockllc.com/Property/Details/1524



Whoever develops that site ought to ditch Bloch's bland design and replace it with one similar to this one built in 2003 in Coral Gables, FL, below. It is more in keeping with the Plaza's Spanish architecture. This would be a more prominent building for that corner. It's the same number of floors as the last proposal. It's also a more elegant-looking building.







https://www.google.com/maps/place/Direc ... FQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Direc ... FQAw%3D%3D

[langosta]

They’ve had it listed for as long if not longer than the project has been proposed. Nothing new there.

Didn’t love the Miami building you linked in person. Either do a Spanish / Colombian style highrise or something modern imho.

[GRID]

This project is dead now? It liked it. The design was fine for the location and it was a high density project on a lot that has sat empty for about 500 years. I guess what's another 500 years?

What about the project across the street? Is it dead now too?

[langosta]

This project is dead now? It liked it. The design was fine for the location and it was a high density project on a lot that has sat empty for about 500 years. I guess what's another 500 years?

What about the project across the street? Is it dead now too?

It’s not dead per say. That “for sale” listing has been up since at least 2021 and iirc at least 2017 (becomes blurry for me at some point). Rendering on the listing is a few iterations behind.

[langosta]

Demo permits filed for the new Wornall road project by EPC

[msmith011]

Claire's is closed: https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 16631.html

I assume this is a strategic non-renewal/boot-out by the Plaza to align with their strategy.

[Metro]

Claire's is closed: https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 16631.html

I assume this is a strategic non-renewal/boot-out by the Plaza to align with their strategy.

Correct. This was talked about at one of their meetings a few months back.

[FangKC]

Claire's has been struggling financially for several years and has closed many stores. It likely won't be around much longer.

[Cratedigger]

Was out of town - did anyone go to the springtime market? How did it go?

[Metro]

Was out of town - did anyone go to the springtime market? How did it go?

I went it was ok decent crowd. Here's my beef with any event that goes on at the Plaza sans the art fair there never appears to be enough advertising for the event. I wouldnt have known it was even going on had I not been walking on the Plaza ar the time.

With that being said it was nice to see a glimpse of what the Plaza should/could be