Bluhawk Apartments prepare for blastoff

Work has blasted off at the Bluhawk Apartments located at 167th Street and Lowell Avenue in south Overland Park, with mass blasting taking place over the past month. 

Haupt Construction has been busy clearing the site of native limestone with the help of three surface drill rigs. A rock crusher then processes large chunks of limestone to be recycled as gravel filler for use throughout the entire project. In October, HarenLaughlin Construction will begin laying footings and foundations in preparation for vertical construction to begin.

“It’s rewarding to see this project move closer to vertical construction. Bluhawk Apartments are a critical component of the overall 300-acre Bluhawk mixed-use development,” said Bart Lowen, vice president of Price Brothers Development.

When completed in early 2020, Bluhawk Apartments will include eight buildings and a total of 201 apartment units ranging from one- to three-bedroom floor plans with higher-end interior features such as granite countertops. Each building will have garages as well as open-space parking.

The community will include a basketball court and convenient location adjacent to the Shawnee Mission Health-Blue Valley full-service hospital, Cosentino’s Market, and Bluhawk’s many shops and restaurants.

Changing retail trends drive shift in Price Brothers’ BluHawk plan

Price Brothers recently announced new plans for its $750 million, 277-acre mixed-use BluHawk development that includes a 300,000-square foot indoor multi-sport complex operated by Colorado-based Sport Stable. The $205 million, 59-acre first phase will launch with a new redesigned civic and community center and arena, indoor complex and hockey rink, as well as additional restaurant and retail.

Originally envisioned in 2006 as the home of Sporting KC, the project been modified to fit neighbors’ wishes.

“The key words here are evolve and adapt,” said Price Brothers President Doug Price. “The (professional soccer) plan didn’t pass the litmus test with taxpayers. They want only amateur sports here, and this is our response to that. It’s not a change of course, it’s more of a slight change in sporting components. It’s always been a family friendly sports, science and educational development.”

The new timeline moves the Cosmosphere project and retail outlet stores to Bluhawk’s second phase and is in response to changing consumer demands and retail shopping habits, according to Price Brothers VP of Development Bart Lowen.

“We recognize that retail has to evolve from what it was 10 years ago and can’t just be a shopping only experience. It has to move beyond that. It has to start at the periphery and offer other opportunities to experience when you are there,” Lowen said. “BluHawk will be a place where kids can go to practice, families can take in an event, visit the Cosmosphere, and enjoy the day.”

Bluhawk started going vertical in 2015 and has sold nearly all of its single-family home sites, according to a release. In addition, currently open are Shawnee Mission Health - South Overland Park, public safety administration building, Cosentino’s Market and other nearby retail, as well as the 159th & Antioch interchange.

"Bluhawk will be a place where active minds and energetic bodies can thrive. Some will call it home and some will visit frequently,” Price said. “To all, it will offer an intersection of health, knowledge and leisure. Bluhawk will be about well-being, learning and playing – a next generation destination designed for both today and tomorrow.”