The City of Lenexa has worked closely with architect Confluence and contractor McCownGordon Construction to include as many community priorities in the conceptual design as possible. Feature rendering credit: Confluence.
Butterfield's Bakery joins Lenexa Public Market
Butterfield's Bakery & Market will join Lenexa Public Market tenants this week, debuting their new-concept menu at its grand opening this Friday (December 4, 2020) at 8750 Penrose Lane in Lenexa, Kan.
Kate Smith, chef/owner of current Market tenant Kate Smith Soirée, will serve soups, salads and sandwiches featuring house-made breads for lunch and dinner, brunch on weekends and an expanded menu of pastries and ice cream treats. The restaurant's open layout allows guests to watch as bakers craft fresh breads and pastries throughout the day.
Smith’s specialty French macarons proved popular early on at shopping expos and weddings. In March 2019, she began selling macarons as a day-cart vendor at the Lenexa Public Market, then later expanded to a specialty confections stall, Kate Smith Soirée. When an anchor restaurant space became available in summer 2020, Smith decided to expand even further, offering a new comfort food concept via Butterfield’s Bakery.
Butterfield's Bakery & Market's regular hours begin Dec. 4 as follows: Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Lenexa Public Market is a unique destination for locally-made foods and goods. The dynamic indoor food hall and market offers local entrepreneurs an opportunity to launch or grow their businesses. The Market is located on the ground level of Lenexa City Hall at 87th Street Parkway and Penrose Lane and is operated by the City of Lenexa.
In addition to anchor, short-term and pop-up merchants, the Market houses a culinary-inspired event space called The Kitchen, which is used for cooking classes, samplings and demos, private events and more. Visit LenexaPublicMarket.com https://www.lenexapublicmarket.com/ for more information.
DBIA Mid-America announces 20th annual design-build award winners
SMSD Aquatic Center now open thanks to creative partnership
The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Aquatic Center is now open for local students – as well as the entire community - thanks to a unique partnership between the school district, Johnson County Parks and Recreation District (JCPRD) and the City of Lenexa.
Planning the facility, which sits in the heart of the new Lenexa City Center in Lenexa, Ks., began in February 2015 as a result of a $223 million bond issue approved by SMSD voters.
The 54,000 SF building includes an innovative design, expansive seating and potential configurations for hosting competitive swim meets.
"Very early on we wanted the design of the building to emulate the sense of moving water. The rolling roof, the shimmering glass, the multi-colored metal panels and the light sculpture in the lobby are a few of the elements that are inspired by water in motion,” said Duane Cash, lead architect on the project with ACI Boland Architects.
The natatorium features a 100-meter olympic-sized pool with a deep end for diving; plus, two 1- meter and two 3-meter diving boards. The pool can be configured in many ways depending on the meet via two movable bulkheads.
The center was designed for education and instruction and includes an additional instructional pool with warmer water and a shallower depth. A third of the pool includes a movable floor that allows for a change of depth from zero inches to seven feet, depending on the activity.
“All of these elements and many more were all about creating a great place to be. Many aquatic centers are perceived to be dark, stuffy, closed off facilities and we wanted to push back against those notions. We wanted this building to be open and inviting, light-filled and healthy. We wanted to foster a sense of community, education, opportunity, athleticism and competition,” Cash said.
The design celebrates the spirit of competition with intentionally designed layers of transparency provided in each area of the building so that viewers, both inside and out, can see events happening within the building.
“We were excited to be a part of the great public plaza that the city had created. With that in mind we wanted (it) to be open and full of light. I envisioned pedestrians walking by or cars driving down 87th Street getting curious about the activities inside and wanting to become involved,” Cash said.
The land for the aquatic center was donated by the City of Lenexa to SMSD and the City also contributed towards the 220-stall parking garage, located adjacent to the aquatic center. JCPRD will operate and provide programming for the aquatic center.
Other partners on the SMSD Aquatic Center project include Counsilman-Hunsaker & Associates, ME Engineers, Bob D. Campbell, BHC Rhodes, Vireo and JE Dunn Construction.
Klover Architects to relocate to The District at City Center Lenexa
Klover Architects, the firm behind the design of The District and the master plan of City Center Lenexa, will be relocating from 10955 Lowell in Overland Park to The District at City Center Lenexa this November.
Copaken Brooks announced Klover will lease 7,261 SF of the Penn III building.
“We’re very pleased to have Klover locate its headquarters in a signature development that they designed. This location in City Center Lenexa will certainly give them a competitive advantage to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent,” said Ryan Biery, senior vice president at Copaken Brooks.
The District at City Center Lenexa is located in the urban-suburban destination where retail, corporate, residential, civic and recreational interest have come together to create an experience unlike any other in the region.
“We’ve overseen The District’s design process, from preliminary city planning renderings through construction administration, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s come to life,” said Henry Klover, founding principal and president of Klover.
When fully developed, City Center Lenexa will consist of more than 2 million SF, including civic components for the City of Lenexa, nearly 1 million SF of office and retail space and 375 residential units.
“It’s incredible what can be done when the industry’s best professionals unite to advance a shared vision for the community, and we’re thrilled to soon call this up-and-coming mixed-use development home,” said Klover.
Founded in 1990 by Henry Klover and Danny Potts, Klover is a full-service design firm specializing in retail, mixed-use, office, restaurant and hospitality markets. Registered in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Klover prides itself on providing innovative design solutions for the real world.