Nation's largest senior care referral firm selects KC for new office, creating 600+ jobs

The largest senior care referral service in North America, A Place for Mom, Inc. (APFM), plans to open their fourth office location in Overland Park, Ks. next week.

The Seattle-based, privately-held company signed a lease on a temporary space on the Sprint Campus while they finalize their new office details - including building out their permanent Overland Park location.

With offices currently in Seattle, New York City and Naples, FL., APFM's growing business plans include creating more than 600 jobs in the KC metro area in the coming years.

“We are committed to creating a world-class operation in the Kansas City area as we continue to transform our business to best serve our customers,” said Larry Kutscher, CEO of A Place for Mom.

A Place for Mom’s new Overland Park office will be the home to several job categories that are core to the company’s business operations - including managerial talent, finance and human resources professionals, local advisors, information technology experts, engineers, designers, writers, customer service associates and other support staff functions.

“We’re thrilled A Place for Mom has chosen Kansas for its new location. The jobs created and the investment in Overland Park will have a significant impact on the Greater Kansas City region,” Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.

“We look forward to welcoming A Place for Mom to the Kansas community and working with them as they grow their presence in our state,” Toland said.

Founded in 2000, A place for Mom employs more than 500 senior living experts and works with more than 16,000 provider communities in the United States and Canada. By growing its core operations, APFM will be able to continue to provide the most up-to-date information, tools, and options to help customers find the senior living arrangement that would best meet their specific needs.

“Overland Park regularly ranks among the top places for families in the nation, including caring for members of our extended family,” said Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach.

“It’s truly an honor for Overland Park to be home to A Place for Mom, a company that provides insight and information to make it a little easier to give the compassionate and necessary attention our parents and elders deserve. We look forward to supporting the company’s growth and its 600 employees in the coming years,” Mayor Gerlach said.

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) worked with a number of regional partners in attracting A Place for Mom to the Kansas City region including the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Occidental Management, Parker + Lynch/Ajilon, CBRE, Evergy, Kansas Gas, Johnson County Community College and TeamKC. 

“The Kansas City region naturally excels at customer care and offers competitive location advantages for companies from both coasts that need to serve a North American customer base,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of KCADC.

“We are excited to welcome A Place for Mom into our region’s operational and shared services corridor in KC Heartland,” Cowden said.

Hiring is already underway, and there will be openings at all levels, from recent college graduates to senior management. Interested candidates are encouraged to view opportunities and apply at aplaceformom.com/about/careers. 

Hunt Midwest development team breaks ground on Downtown Overland Park mixed-use project

Construction is underway at The Vue in Downtown Overland Park, a $49 million mixed-use project that will include 219 luxury apartments above 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and an attached 324-space parking garage. Developer Hunt Midwest and project partners held an official groundbreaking ceremony adjacent to the 2.5 acre construction site at 80th and Marty streets on Tuesday, April 4.

“Hunt Midwest wanted to create an urban living concept that offers chic finishes and conveniences that ‘renters by choice’ desire, while giving special attention to the building’s exterior, ensuring the design reflects the charming character and architectural style of Downtown Overland Park,” Hunt Midwest President and CEO Ora Reynolds said.

The Vue is located within walking distance to nearby attractions including the Matt Ross Community Center, Overland Park Farmer’s Market, historic Rio Theatre and newly designated Downtown Arts District. The City of Overland Park hopes the project, which repurposes an underutilized site in a prime location, will draw hundreds of new residents and customers to existing downtown businesses.

“While in the early stages of construction, we’re already seeing interest in The Vue- from Millennials to Baby Boomers- that is adding to the community’s excitement in historic Downtown Overland Park,” Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach said.

Outdoor amenities will include a resort-style pool area with bar and grill, lounge seating and covered bike racks. Inside, The Vue’s clubhouse will include a fitness center, coffee lounge, game rooms and a shared kitchen - all connecting to an outdoor deck that overlooks downtown. The project’s design reflects the changing environment of apartment living, according to Rob Welker, Hoefer Wysocki Architecture president and partner.

“Residents want to feel connected to their neighbors and have the opportunity to interact and engage with each other. The Vue portrays experiences through multiple types of interactions, delivered in spaces that accommodate a wide range of needs,” Welker said.

The Vue blends Hunt Midwest’s experience in luxury multifamily development with its award-winning infill redevelopment expertise, according to Brenner Holland, Hunt Midwest vice president of residential development.

“A rewarding aspect of the project involved making sure its design fit in with the existing style and vibe of Downtown Overland Park while adding fresh and innovative features,” Holland said. “This is a high-visibility location, so we really wanted to create an eye-catching addition to the heart of the city that enhanced revitalization while bringing new residents into downtown.”

Reynolds thanked the City of Overland Park for its support of The Vue, which is expected to open in the second half of 2018. Hunt Midwest’s development team includes: McPherson Contractors, general construction; Hoefer Wysocki Architecture, architecture and design; Olsson & Associates, engineering services; Bank Midwest, financing; and Greystar, leasing and property management.