Ocean Prime restaurant joins sister-concept, Prime Social cocktail lounge, at 46 Penn Centre on the Country Club Plaza. Photo courtesy of Block Real Estate Services.
46 Penn Centre adds newest tenant Parris Communications
Parris Communications Inc., a leading public relations and strategic communications firm, will be relocating its KCMO office to 46 Penn Centre on the Country Club Plaza in fall 2021.
Parris, a 33-year-old firm with a roster of clients spanning coast to coast, will join existing tenants CrossFirst Bank, RSM Partners, UBS, Pulse Design, Triad, BRES, CROWN MedRealty Partners and Anthony Knipp Law.
The Kansas City-native corporate communications firm will occupy approximately 5,200 SF of “blank slate” space on the 9th floor of the 14-story building, developed by Block Real Estate Services, LLC (BRES). The space is being designed by KEM Studios and will be constructed by contractor, Nexus5.
“After living on the west side of the Plaza for over three decades, we’re inspired by the opportunity to reside in the heart of the Country Club Plaza,” said Parris Communications founder and CEO, Roshann Parris.
Founded in 1988, Parris Communications is a full-service strategic communications agency, specializing in corporate communications, public relations, crisis and issues management, public affairs, community engagement and executive presentation coaching. Among its many honors over the years, Parris has been named one of “Kansas City’s Best Places to Work” for 13 years, and is a “Small Business Philanthropist of the Year” recipient.
“We are excited to welcome the high-energy Parris team to 46 Penn Centre,” said Kenneth G. Block, managing principal of BRES. “Parris is known regionally and nationally for the impressive quality of their work with some of the region’s biggest and best companies. BRES has been honored to work with them over the years, and we can’t wait to welcome them to 46 Penn Centre, their new home on the Plaza.”
Also opening in fall 2021 at 46 Penn Centre will be exciting restaurant concepts Ocean Prime and Prime Social, the latter of which will open on the building’s panoramic rooftop.
46 Penn Centre is the first office building to be built on the Country Club Plaza since the Plaza Vista building opened in 2013. Opportunities remain available to occupy the state-of-the-art building, including the 14th floor. Please contact BRES at 816.756.1400 for all leasing inquiries.
Corbion tastes success with new Lenexa North American headquarters and innovation lab
Food ingredient research company Corbion has opened its new 58,000-square foot North American headquarters and advanced laboratory facility at 8250 Flint St. in Lenexa. The new $13 million facility consolidates the company's 200 employees into one regional operation.
Developed by Block Real Estate Services (BRES), the building is less than a mile from Corbion's longtime location at 79th and Quivira and marks the completion of Pine Ridge West Business Park, a flagship development for BRES.
"BRES has been excited to assist Corbion with the development of a new high-end facility in Pine Ridge Business Park,” said Kenneth G. Block, managing principal at BRES. “As a fellow industry leader, Corbion’s commitment to quality and innovation matches BRES’s commitment, which is visible in Corbion’s new facility and the nearby BRES apartment development of WaterSide Residences on Quivira.”
The facility includes a state-of-the-art bakery and demonstration kitchen, as well as meat research and application labs. Designed by Finkle + Williams, the building reflects the company's focus on sustainability through local sourcing, clean energy, centralized waste management, composting and recycling programs, according to a release.
The new headquarters and lab will inform the Dutch company's approach to helping create a safe and sustainable global food supply. Corbion has had a presence in the KC region for almost a century.
“We constantly encourage our employees and our customers to ‘Keep Creating,’ because the world urgently needs better solutions to the challenges we face,” said Andy Muller, Executive Vice President at Corbion. “The innovations we help create make a difference in the lives of people everywhere – people just like us. We try to merge our areas of scientific expertise with what we know and care about as consumers so we can develop solutions that make a meaningful impact for everyone, including ourselves and our families.”
Local vendors were chosen for the facility, including food services by Westport Flea Market and beverages by Messenger Coffee and Tea Market.
Block added that Corbion was a good partner for BRES because the companies are aligned both professionally and philanthropically.
“Corbion’s involvement in the community and focus on giving back align with BRES’s commitment to philanthropy which has made this an ideal partnership,” Block said.
Corbion employs a total of 350 in the region.