B&B Theatres celebrates opening of 'Old Hollywood'-inspired New Longview 7

B&B Theatres debuted its new seven-screen boutique theater in New Longview in March, the chain’s first metro-area ground-up project in six years.

Check out a time-lapse of B&B’s New Longview 7 Theatre nine-month construction project

New Longview 7’s Grand Screen is the first theater in the world to feature a dive lighting system with individual lights corresponding with each speaker, offering moviegoers an immersive, “rock-the-seats experience,” according to Brock Bagby, B&B Theatres executive vice president.

“Those lights can be changed and can do whatever we want them to. We can have every single one a different color, so let’s say we are watching Finding Dory, then we can change the entire room to look like an ocean. This is the very first theater in the world to have this, right here in Lee’s Summit, Missouri,” Bagby said.

The Grand Screen is six stories wide and four stories tall, making it one of the largest screens in the nation coupled with DTS immersive surround sound.

“You’ve got the biggest industry subs behind the screen, so it’s gonna shake your chairs. It’s an amazing experience,” Bagby told attendees at the theater's Opening Gala on March 21. 

Guests are greeted by an Art Deco-themed lounge and bar area complete with a 35-foot long bar, clusters of comfy chairs, outdoor seating area, and fireplace nook with sofas. Developer Russell Pearson with Box Real Estate Development said designers drew inspiration from Art Deco projects around the country, a theme that plays out with starburst designs incorporated into the flooring and custom lighting fixtures.

“The B&B design motif is very much ‘Old Hollywood,’ and the Art Deco period we focused on is very specific between 1930 and 1935,” Pearson said. “It just so happened that the architect that designed Longview Farms, Henry Hoit, went on to design a number of Art Deco projects in Kansas City from which we drew inspiration.”

The opening of the 28,000-square foot complex comes just two months after B&B completed a multi-million dollar upgrade of Lee’s Summit 16 on Northeast Douglas Street. The project included extensive remodeling, the addition of a new MX4D concept and screenPLAY, an auditorium dedicated to families and young children that includes a playground.

Check out a slideshow from B&B Theatres' Opening Gala below; click on the photo to advance.

Developer completes Longview Farms stabilization effort

The stabilization of four historic buildings at Lee’s Summit’s Longview Farm has been completed, setting the stage for full restoration of several structures central to the former show farm’s future redevelopment.

“These buildings serve as a historic cornerstone for Lee’s Summit’s New Longview development area and its $80 million in ongoing housing and commercial projects,” said Mark Moberly, Director of Development with Sunflower Development Group.

The stabilization project included structural repairs and weatherization related work to prevent further deterioration of two red-roofed barns, a farm house, a dairy manger house, and the show farm’s signature arch on the north end of the property.

The City of Lee’s Summit, along with Mariner Real Estate Management, now called Platform Ventures, and Sunflower Development Group, used tax-increment financing to cover costs of the stabilization effort. Full restoration projects will be completed with assistance from TIF district revenues to fund the additional improvements.

The City of Lee’s Summit worked with developers to inspect, plan and design the stabilization work, which will help ensure responsible redevelopment of both Longview Farms and the New Longview area, according to Lee’s Summit Mayor Randy Rhoads “Because historic redevelopment can be complicated and costly, the City was mindful of not over-investing in these structures. The goal was to stabilize, weatherize and shore up the buildings in anticipation of future investment,” said Mayor Rhoads.

In December, Sunflower Development Group announced it would complete $3 million in renovations to the 101-year-old Longview Mansion, 1200 SW Longview Park Dr., by late 2018.
Sunflower Development Group is known for historic restorations of several downtown Kansas City properties, including conversions to hotel, housing and other commercial uses.

Sunflower will secure private financing for the restorations, but public financial support is still needed to cover the extraordinary costs associated with stabilizing and rehabilitating the unique structures, according to Moberly.

“Working with the City of Lee’s Summit, State of Missouri and National Parks Service to secure the TIF and historic tax credits is extremely important due to the financial gap that exists with rehabilitating each property,” Moberly said.

While work on the Mansion began in February, the timeline for full rehabilitation of the remaining structures is uncertain due to the need for significant new construction commercial projects in the TIF, like a new theater, to happen first.

Sunflower Development Group maintains ownership of buildings it restores and leases them to tenants.

**Picture provided by Sunflower Development Group

New owners announce 'gentle facelift' for century-old Longview Mansion

An entity of Sunflower Development Group has purchased the historic Longview Mansion in Lee's Summit and plans to begin a historic rehabilitation of the 102-year old property in early 2018. 

Developers call the restoration project a "gentle facelift" that will prepare the historic property at 1200 SW Longview Park Dr. for new life as a regional event venue and destination. 

"After several years working with the City of Lee's Summit and residents of the New Longview area, we were able to create a rehabilitation plan that addresses structural, roof, mechanical, electrical and plumbing issues that have plagued the mansion for years," Sunflower Development Group Director of Development Mark Moberly said. 

Work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018. Rau Construction Company will serve as general contractor for the project, and Rosemann & Associates, PC will lead architecture and design efforts. 

The rehabilitation will utilize state and federal historic tax credits, proceeds from the area TIF plans, financing from OakStar Bank, and private capital. 

In December, Longview Mansion's longtime operators Jeanne Marshall, Jenny Gale and Hunter Gale, moved from the premises. 

"Their dedication to the Mansion, commitment to the Longview neighborhood, and support of the Lee's Summit community has been unwavering over the many years," Moberly said. "As the new owners of the property, we are thankful for the care they have taken to keep the historical property a hallmark of Kansas City during that time."

All events currently booked at the Mansion will continue as planned, and bookings beyond September 2018 are being accepted. For details, call 816-761-6999 or email info@longviewmansion.com. 

Platform launches new retail/office phase at New Longview as B&B goes vertical

The New Longview area in Lee's Summit is busy with construction activity as a huge crane finished tilting the exterior concrete walls last week for B&B Theatres' new boutique cinema located in the New Urbanism-themed commercial project. The theatre will include all-leather reclining seating, a full kitchen, a full bar, and a lounge and patio area.  

The property owner, a fund under the management of Platform Ventures (formerly Mariner Real Estate), is using the momentum to announce master plans for three to six additional retail and office buildings adjacent to the B&B Theatres project available for lease. The new phase on the north side of Fascination Drive within New Longview will include up to 60,000 square feet of space available for a mixture of commercial uses. 

"We are speaking with several potential tenants for office and retail buildings planned for 'Fascination North,' " said Platform Ventures Senior Vice President Corey Walker. 

The new buildings are conceived as creative/loft-style space and should attract a wide range of creative office, restaurant, retail, and medical-office users who appreciate the unique 'sense of place' that comes with a walkable project like New Longview, according to Brandon LaSala of NAI Heartland, which is marketing the project's office space. 

"We are really excited to work on lease-up of the next phase of retail/office buildings," LaSala said. "There is even a three-story headquarters office building availability that we've been discussing with a few users, and we look forward to some exciting announcements."

Office availabilities range from 1,000 to 8,000 square feet, plus a 55,000 square feet HQ office lot. Those interested in office space can contact Brandon LaSala here. 

Retail and restaurant availabilities range from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet. For more information, you can contact Chad LaSala here.