New $15 million Wonderscope Children's Museum breaks ground

Wonderscope Children’s Museum has begun construction of its new $15 million site located at 433 E. Red Bridge Rd. at the Red Bridge Shopping Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The expansive 30,000 SF museum will more than triple their current 9,000 SF location in Shawnee, Kansas.

Kansas City’s newest children’s museum will feature ten exhibit spaces focusing on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities, birthday party rooms, classroom spaces and a half-acre of outdoor educational space.

“It’s been three years in the making, and we are so excited to share the news that Kansas City will soon have a new premiere children’s museum,” said Roxane Hill, Wonderscope executive director.

The new exhibits are designed by a world-class team of experts experienced in creating one-of-a-kind children’s museums. The themed “Crossroads of Kansas City” creation stations include rivers and railways, food, sports, music and nature and will allow children to explore art and science, generating the STEAM that moves Wonderscope forward.

In February 2017, Wonderscope launched a $15 million capital campaign for the new museum. Major donors include The Regnier Family Foundation which has been a long-time generous supporter of Wonderscope and its mission.

Wonderscope is also launching a community campaign creating the opportunity for KC residents to embrace the new museum filled with fun and educational activities. By making tax-deductible contributions, individuals and families can help build Wonderscope’s new home and forever be remembered on a unique commemorative wall display inside the new building. To participate, visit: https://www.wonderscope.org/a-new-place-to-play/capital-campaign

The project development team includes Haizlip Studio, MIG Portico, Paul Orselli Workshop, Dimensional Innovations, CBRE and McCownGordon Construction.

The new museum is expected to be complete in Fall 2020.

Construction underway at Metro North Crossings' T-Shotz

Metro North Crossings' main tenant anchor, T-Shotz, is taking shape at the northeast corner of Highway 169 and NW Barry Road, the site of the recently demolished Metro North Mall.

Earlier this week the driving range netting and pole installation were installed and general contractor, B Dean Construction, began erecting structural steel this week for the 55,000 SF golf simulation complex.

“We are very excited to be a part of this project. T-Shotz will be an outstanding golf and entertainment destination for Metro North Crossing and the surrounding area," said Randy Dean, B Dean Construction partner and project manager.

T-Shotz will feature 66 climate-controlled, technology-enhanced hitting bays and suites on three levels where guests can eat, drink and socialize while overlooking the expansive 200-yard green-turfed target range.

Designed for all ages and skill levels, the new venue will differ from other golf entertainment complexes in a variety of ways, including:

• Guests can “play” several famous golf courses, play unique golf games and compete on target golf games from their hitting bay as their golf shots are projected to both a high-definition monitor and television displaying games, courses or targets.

• Experienced golfers will enjoy advanced golf ball tracking technology (the same golf professionals use) and get real-time data on every swing, including club-head speed, spin-rate and distance.

• T-Shotz will include two restaurant/bar venues. Both restaurants will offer local farm-to-market comfort food and shareables, with the top-level venue having an added oyster bar and lounge area.

• More than 125 high-definition televisions will broadcast sports programming, making T-Shotz the hub for sports and entertainment viewing in the Metro.

• T-Shotz will offer dedicated special event and private event spaces for small to larger groups for corporate outings, tournaments, fundraisers, kids and teen parties and more.

“T-Shotz will provide an entertaining atmosphere to compliment the redevelopment’s retail, other entertainment and upscale contemporary apartments. With enticing food and beverage, and outstanding service, T-Shotz will attract more than just golfers,” said David Horn, project manager for Metro North Crossing Redevelopment.

The grand opening for T-Shotz is scheduled for the Spring of 2020.

Vertical construction of a 249-unit luxury apartment complex will also begin this Spring and will include 30,000 SF of boutique retail and restaurant space. The final phase of the apartments is expected to be complete by 2021.

Martin City Brewing Co. hops into Lee's Summit

The fourth Martin City Brewing Company (MCBC) location is set to open soon in Lee's Summit, MO.

MCBC Pizza & Taproom - Lee's Summit, located on the north side of Hiway 50 and SW Blue Pkwy in Pine Tree Plaza, will join the existing two locations in Martin City, MO and the pizza and taproom in Mission Farms in Overland Park, KS.

Co-owners Matt Moore and Chance Adams opened their first location, MCBC - The Pub, at 500 E 135th St. in Martin City, MO., in 2011. A few years later in 2014, they opened MCBC Pizza and Taproom, just across the street.

Moore, who grew up in a family-owned restaurant business, said Martin City was the obvious choice for their first location. Moore's family owns two popular Martin City establishments, Jess & Jim's Steak House and Rc's Restaurant & Lounge, so he was - and still is - very familiar with the restaurant business and the area.

"After years of home-brewing and business planning, Chance and I decided to open a brewery in Martin City. Thanks to an enthusiastic community, it wasn’t long until we had a full-blown brewing operation, with canning and distribution throughout the KC metro," Moore said.

In May 2018, MCBC decided to venture over to the Kansas side of the state line, opening MCBC Pizza & Taproom - Mission Farms, in the former Pizzabella restaurant at 4000 Indian Creek Pkwy in Overland Park.

"The building was built out as a pizza establishment already and we saw the need for an approachable dining setting in Mission Farms," Moore said.

Moore, who lives in Lee's Summit with his wife and children, said Lee's Summit seemed like the next logical destination to open the fourth MCBC.

MCBC Pizza & Taproom - Lee's Summit is located in a stand-alone building which was previously leased out for seasonal retail. The 6,000 SF building is double the size of the Mission Farms location.

Besides a wide selection of their own craft beers, the Pizza & Taprooms regularly offer a handful of MCBC beers that typically are not distributed or available elsewhere. Moore also plans to serve a nice selection of other beer, wine and "sangria on tap" at the new location as well as their known-to-be-delicious stone, wood-fire pizzas and other family-friendly menu items.

The MCBC in Lee's Summit will not be their last location, according to Moore.

"We do plan to add more locations in the KC metro in the future, as brewery expansion is on the rise," Moore said.

MCBC volumed 10,000 barrels in 2019, with beer in approximately 200 retail locations across Kansas to the Colorado line and the entire KC metro on the Missouri side.

This year MCBC released a total of 20 “bigger, bolder, local beers,” including Double Sacred Hardway, Alchemy Coffee Stout, Violet Carson Rose' Ale and Brooo Milk Chocolate Stout. A popular seasonal brew, Donut Stout, will be released next month.

Moore plans to open in Lee's Summit on Wed., October 30th, with bands each Friday and Saturday night, beginning the first weekend of November.

Other retailers in Pine Tree Plaza include Krab Kingz Seafood, Harbor Freight, Planet Fitness, Chuck's Boots and The Smoothie Shop.

Tutera completes $55 million rental-based senior living community

Tomorrow will mark the grand opening of Tiffany Springs Senior Living, a $55 million, luxury, rental-based community located at 9101 N. Ambassador Dr. in North Kansas City.

Unlike other senior living communities that require a buy-in or large upfront payment, Tiffany Springs, developed by Tutera Senior Living & Health Care, offers a rental-based option for seniors who want more choice and flexibility.

The new residential community is connected via breezeway to Tiffany Springs Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, which offers both short-term rehabilitation services and extended stays. Through these two facilities, Tiffany Springs residents are given priority access to a full continuum of care with a complement of post-acute health care services.

Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community comprises 289,000 SF; 261 total luxury apartment homes with three outdoor living spaces on 4.1 acres. Each one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den and two-bedroom apartment home features high-end appliances, upscale finishes, high ceilings, balconies and large windows.

“With the completion of Assisted Living and Memory Care, we now have realized the vision we set out to achieve at Tiffany Springs - a comprehensive senior living community that allows our residents to age in beautiful, amenity-rich surroundings,” said Randy Bloom, Ph.D., president and chief operating officer for Tutera Senior Living & Health Care.

This month, Tiffany Springs Senior Living opened 89 memory care and assisted living residential units, supplementing the 172 independent living apartment homes that became available in July 2019.

Tiffany Springs meets the highest standards in senior living and wellness design, which include these diverse community amenities:

• Upscale day spa and salon; yoga studio

• Multiple dining venues, including private and outdoor dining spaces

• Healthy menu options made to order by in-house chefs

• Resort-style heated indoor wellness swimming pool

• Large outdoor courtyard with fire pit, outdoor seating and BBQ kitchen

• Art studio

• Theater room with surround sound

• Multiple lounges for entertaining and playing cards

• Chapel

• Dog park and dog washing station

• 24-hour security

• Senior-inspired technology with secure, controlled access

• Full interior and exterior maintenance of apartment homes

• Concierge and transportation services

• Fiber-based Wi-Fi throughout the community

• Convenient access to shopping district with diverse retail, restaurant and entertainment venues

Tutera's project team includes NSPJ Architects,, BHC RHODES and Luke Draily Construction Company.

Assisted living and memory care apartment homes are now available; independent living residential options opened in July.

The grand opening will take place tomorrow, Thursday, September 26, at 3 p.m. Tours will be available.

New hotel+apartment concept opens in Overland Park

Hospitality industry legend Jack DeBoer, founder of Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites and Candlewood Suites, has brought his new concept to the Kansas City area, the first of its kind in the market.

Oakwood WaterWalk is a collaboration between DeBoer’s WaterWalk, a unique development concept in the travel industry that combines the space and comfort of apartment living with the services of a hotel, and Oakwood, the premier global provider of furnished housing and serviced apartment solutions.

The gated community, located at 11200 Glenwood St. in Overland Park, Kansas, consists of two separate, four-story buildings - one with 78 all-inclusive unfurnished apartments and one with 75 furnished corporate units. Both have access to a full-range of amenities, including 24/7 onsite staff to take care of anything the guests may need.

With one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, business and individual travelers can book short- and long-term stays and choose from furnished or unfurnished suites.

“In researching emerging markets across the United States, we identified Overland Park as a top priority for growth and development. It’s an exceptional residential neighborhood with a need for more long-term accommodation options, but we also saw an opportunity to expand our short-term housing solutions in a high-traffic, business-dense area. With Oakwood WaterWalk, we can provide both,”said Mimi Rogers, WaterWalk president.

Oakwood WaterWalk pricing includes all utilities, high-speed internet, DirecTV cable television, and phone service for nightly or monthly rates. All guests can also enjoy an on-site fitness center, 24/7 front desk service, and full-size appliances (including in-room washer and dryer) while furnished corporate (Gold) units include a fully-equipped modern kitchen, breakfast delivery and housekeeping.

“Since we announced our strategic partnership, we’ve already seen a significant spike in interest from Oakwood customers and guests, as well as inquiring investors and franchisees,” said Mandeep Singh, Oakwood chief operating officer.

“The Oakwood WaterWalk model fully satisfies the wide spectrum of needs across the extended stay, multifamily and corporate housing segments, and investors are satisfied with the return on investment that is significantly above the hotel industry average – with much lower operating costs as well.,” Singh said.

The surrounding neighborhood includes a mixture of retail, restaurant, lodging, and office and provides easy access to arterial and freeway corridors for accessibility throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

“WaterWalk is headquartered in Wichita, and we’re proud to continue investing in and expanding across Kansas. It’s an exciting time for our company. We’ve opened six new locations in key markets across Kansas, Texas and Colorado, and we have a strong development pipeline,” said Rogers.

Oakwood, wholly owned by Mapletree Investments, celebrated the grand opening of its newest Oakwood WaterWalk property yesterday.

Wichita-based JACO Construction served as the contractor for the project; LK Architecture as architect; and WaterWalk RE Development Services LLC as the developer.