KCRag Forum

Glenn Stephenson, Highwoods Properties vice president and division manager, said: “These highly regarded establishments add to the Plaza’s exceptional mix of exclusive boutiques, trendsetting retailers and world-class stores and restaurants.”

chrizow wrote:Glenn Stephenson, Highwoods Properties vice president and division manager, said: “These highly regarded establishments add to the Plaza’s exceptional mix of exclusive boutiques, trendsetting retailers and world-class stores and restaurants.”

I thought, "Like we really need another kitchen store", then realized it was a fast casual Mediterranean restaurant. So basically Zoe Kitchen is a another Panera like place. Hmmmmm.

Underwhelming, mostly. But Barton Perreira is actually pretty cool. Ultra luxurious eyewear that's popular with celebrities.. Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus are a couple of the few retailers that carry the brand.

A|X Armani Exchange has closed.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/business ... 43836.html

Hopefully Highwoods will fill this prime space at 47th and Broadway with something unique to the market.

Or a basic neighborhood service that serves the Plaza residents and hotel visitors... like the drugstore that used to be there. I know...

earthling wrote:Or a basic neighborhood service that serves the Plaza residents and hotel visitors... like the drugstore that used to be there. I know...

would Walgreens or CVS pay the higher rent? would a drugstore even be profitable there? if a Beauty Brands works there, a CVS or Walgreens probably could also

Nearly every high rent touristy/entertainment district on the scale of the Plaza (with residential hirises surrounding it) has a CVS or Walgreens (if not a local drugstore).

One of Walgreen's flagship stores would be a good fit, I'd think. In the checkout line of the one in Chicago, I was standing behind a guy buying a bottle of Dom Perignon.

I would actually put a full sized one NW of 47th and Roanoke and a second, smaller one on the plaza that doesn't do prescriptions.

find a place for the Apple Store to move to on the Plaza and that's exactly the size I'm thinking

earthling wrote:Nearly every high rent touristy/entertainment district on the scale of the Plaza (with residential hirises surrounding it) has a CVS or Walgreens (if not a local drugstore).

is that space even big enough for a CVS or Walgreens? could a local drugstore afford the rent? is Highwoods even interested in attracting a drugstore?

Highwoods does not acknowledge there are Plaza residents, so no. I've seen many urbane CVS/Walgreens that size on E coast, and Duane Reade's in NYC - much much higher rents than Plaza. They use taller shelves. There used to be a drugstore in Armani Exchange spot and was always busy.

earthling wrote:Highwoods does not acknowledge there are Plaza residents, so no. I've seen many urbane CVS/Walgreens that size on E coast, and Duane Reade's in NYC. They use taller shelves.

what about a drugstore in the building Block controls?

When the streetcar gets expanded to the Plaza, I would like to see the tennis center redeveloped as there will likely be a stop right in front of it. I think this would be a great spot for some neighborhood amenity retail, like a drug store and perhaps a Trader Joe's, hopefully with hotel and residential towers above.

KCtoBrooklyn wrote:When the streetcar gets expanded to the Plaza, I would like to see the tennis center redeveloped as there will likely be a stop right in front of it. I think this would be a great spot for some neighborhood amenity retail, like a drug store and perhaps a Trader Joe's, hopefully with hotel and residential towers above.

The University of Missouri (not UMKC) used it for one event this past fall. So it's already a big deal tennis setup. You wouldn't see Mizzou driving 2 hours and getting one schools to drive 12 hours (Mississippi State) to play tennis there if it wasn't.

I could see way more value to step up the quality of the courts, put in an innovative enclosure for all season use, maybe even adding a second level of courts elevated above the current courts, and turn it into a nationwide top tier *public* tennis courts in a great urban environment. Couple it with a comprehensive urban bike network on street and on trails across the metro you have a fitness tourism draw. Use it as a loss leader to bring someone that wants activity but doesn't want to go skiing or diving and the associated cost.

for a place to put a building, look at the NW corner of 46th and Wornall. most of that block is under used. even the parking lots don't fill it. look at across from American Century. there's plenty of opportunities that don't involve losing public park space in the urban core

The tennis courts are on park land if memory is correct.

KCtoBrooklyn wrote:When the streetcar gets expanded to the Plaza, I would like to see the tennis center redeveloped as there will likely be a stop right in front of it. I think this would be a great spot for some neighborhood amenity retail, like a drug store and perhaps a Trader Joe's, hopefully with hotel and residential towers above.

Yeah, the Tennis Center seems like such a great piece of real estate that needs to be redeveloped. They should move the tennis center to Theis Park, or maybe move it down Brush Creek like between Ward Park where it splits.

It does appear to be on park land.

I think it's beautiful to have tennis courts there instead of more trashy mall stores. It is the Country Club District after all.

Lets get all those vacant storefronts filled before we worry about tearing out our parks.

There are a ton of empty lots nearby, too.

Foodoo the vegetarian “earth grill" that opened last year on the plaza closed along with A/X Armani Exchange and so on...

The Coveted Home opening on Plaza but not Crate and Barrell or Ikea because those are in Joco and so on.... wow this is fun

http://www.kansascity.com/news/business ... 73003.html