Pickwick Plaza gets dolled up for new generation

Pickwick Plaza, the 1930's-era hotel renowned for attracting high-profile visitors like Harry S Truman and Kansas City "Boss" Tom Pendergast, has been successfully transformed into luxury apartments and retail space. Developed by Gold Crown Properties Inc., the East 9 at Pickwick Plaza mixed-use development includes 260 units and 35,000 square feet of street-level commercial space.

East 9 at Pickwick Plaza is poised to attract a diverse group of renters, particularly Millennials seeking a downtown Kansas City address with quick access to nightlife, the central business district, and public transportation.

However, one well-known Empty Nester – Kansas City Mayor Sly James—said he would consider the property when he leaves public office.

“… my wife and I will be looking around town to figure out where we're going to live. This is certainly going to be a place on the list,” James said at the recent East 9 Grand Opening event, adding that he wants to live near the KC Streetcar line.

Construction on the $65 million adaptive reuse project was completed in less than two years, but Gold Crown Properties’ vision for giving the historic hotel a grand make-over dates to 2010. 

More than 70 percent of the units are already leased with full leasing expected by the end of 2017. Amenities include a fitness center, swimming pool and spa, community rooms, business center, wine lockers and wine tasting room, free Wi-Fi, and 314 parking spaces. Commercial tenants include UPS, City Gym and an unnamed restaurant and bar.

Local artist Joe Munson provided design services for the lobby, as well as exterior retail signage. Metropolitan Capital Advisors, MR Capital Advisors, Rosin Preservation, HarenLaughlin Construction, Helix Architecture + Design and Krudwig Structural Engineers rounded out the development team. ThirdRail provided marketing services for the project. 

Rainen Companies' new senior living concept eyes '55 and better' niche

Liberty at Shoal Creek, a $25.8 million luxury senior rental housing development concept developed by Rainen Companies, recently opened in the Northland. Located on six acres at NE 82nd Terrace and Farley Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., the community is geared to active Baby Boomers and seniors. Longtime Kansas City developer Mike Rainen recently sat down with MetroWireMedia to share more about the project.

MWM: What inspired you to develop this lifestyle concept?

MR: We wanted to provide a business solution to the Baby Boomers that are historically a moving wave. It wasn’t a surprise that this age group and demographic is growing, but the anomaly was the fact that they are maybe seeking different housing solutions. In 2013, we saw there was an age bubble or wave coming through, and we wanted to ride the wave. So we teamed up with Carl Yaeger and Yaeger Architecture to bring this concept to reality.

MWM: Tell us more about the trends that informed your design decisions?

MR: We conducted years of research as to what this group would desire and need. We secured a trademark for the term ‘55 AND BETTER’ to clearly define our target market and then we worked to provide features that are specific to the needs, lifestyle and life stage of that market segment. The result is a product that meets requirements of seniors pretty much in lockstep, but then we’ve taken our own little twist on what we think this group wants. 

MWM: Describe what differentiates Liberty at Shoal Creek from other senior housing products on the market?

MR: Along with Yaeger Architecture, we have created amenity-rich community for active Boomers and seniors, with features such as a putting green, movie theater with luxury seating, outdoor living spaces, indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub, fitness center and business center, all of which are specific to the needs of that market segment. 

MWM: Clearly you’re expecting strong demand for amenity-rich senior housing geared to active lifestyles. How competitive is that market?

MR: People are excited about what we are doing. Most competitors in senior housing are changing up their product to respond to this active market, so our main competition is people choosing to stay in their existing homes. 

MWM: Are you planning to expand Liberty at Shoal Creek? What about additional locations?

MR: The property includes land for a planned second phase, which would add additional parking and 60 new units, for a total of 245 apartments. We are in the process of replicating the concept, both in the Kansas City area and outside the region. We have locations under contract, but we aren’t releasing details just yet.

Liberty at Shoal Creek is the seventh area development owned or co-owned by Michael Rainen, a native Kansas Citian, businessman and real estate developer.

Check out a slideshow of Liberty at Shoal Creek below or click here for additional photos.