The Donovan prepares for June opening in Lee's Summit

Phase two of Summit Square's luxury apartment complex, The Donovan, is expected to open this summer at 837 NW Donovan Rd. in Lee's Summit, Mo.

Developed and managed by NorthPoint Development, the 327-unit, multifamily community will showcase one and two bedroom units, highlighted by a cross-sharing amenities program with their phase-one counterpart.

The long (and impressive) list of unique and modern amenities includes a grotto-style plunge pool and meditation spa, zero-entry pool, 16-ft rock climbing wall, 24-hr cyber cafe + gourmet coffee bar and a private yoga studio.

"In my twenty-nine years of managing, leasing and opening brand new apartment communities in the Kansas City metro, I have never been so excited about a project. We can not wait for everyone to see how spectacular this community will be," said Pam Lakey, multi-site manager for NorthPoint.

The apartment amenities also include:

• 24-Hour cardio blast fitness center

• Poolside BBQ center

• Media lounge with jumbo screen sports simulator

• Resident event kitchen

• Detached and attached garages

• 24-hour emergency maintenance

• Poolside ping-pong & foosball

• Hammock garden

• Three-seasons solarium resident lounge

• Steam/dry sauna

• Controlled-access buildings

• Elevator-serviced building

• On-site guest suite

The Donovan plans to move in their first residents on June 20th and hopes to stabilize occupancy in less than a year. One-bedroom units start at $959/month; two-bedroom start at $1,449/month.

Summit Square opened in December of 2017 and reached stabilization in April 2019. To date, Summit Square is 96% occupied, increasing occupancy during the COVID-19 shutdown. 

Project partners include NSPJ Architects and Neighbors Construction. Construction will continue on the remainder of the five-building multifamily community, expected to be complete by January 2021. 

For more info, photos and leasing information, you may visit their websites at www.thedonovankc.com and www.summitsquarekc.com.

Northpoint's $60 million CORE apartment complex heads to Berkley Riverfront

NorthPoint Development's $60 million apartment complex, CORE, is heading to the Berkley Riverfront area in Kansas City, Mo.

The Port KC board unanimously approved the development earlier this week, which includes a revenue bond for up to $49 million in financing. The bond will be repaid by NorthPoint and its financial partner in the project, Northwestern Mutual.

CORE, an acronym for Connecting Our Riverfront to Everyone - also named by NorthPoint - will be the second apartment development in the Berkley Park area and Northpoint's third development in downtown Kansas City in the past couple of years.

The 355-unit community will showcase studio, one- and two- bedroom apartment homes offering a modern and convenient lifestyle within the urban core.

Amenities include a heated, saltwater swimming pool, poolside pickleball and bocce ball, a two-story fitness center and yoga studio, a library lounge, private conference rooms, a 16-ft indoor rock climbing wall, a virtual sports simulator, a WIFI lounge with gaming systems, co-working spaces and a pet spa.

Apartment home finishes will include custom melamine cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, modern backsplash, wood-plank flooring, oversized windows, keyless entry and modern hardware and lighting.

The NorthPoint development includes eight acres, previously owned by Port KC, just east of the Bar K dog park, restaurant and bar. Additional plans include adding a private street through the development as well as 70 parking spaces for public use, including Bar K patrons.

Plans to extend the KC streetcar to the Berkley Riverfront area is also in the works, according to Port KC.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with the first phase of the apartments estimated to be complete in Fall 2021. The entire development is estimated to be complete in Fall 2022.

To view a complete rendering portfolio of the CORE Apartments, you may visit NSPJ's website here.

CBKC plans $12.6 million multifamily project on Blue Parkway corridor

Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC), the area’s largest urban core developer, recently announced plans for a $12.6 million multifamily development east of Prospect Ave. in Kansas City, Mo.

The Rochester on Blue Parkway is one of the first projects announced in a Kansas City-area Opportunity Zone. The 81,400 SF, four-story complex will house 64 residential units.

“The Rochester brings a residential option to this corridor that does not now exist,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., president and CEO of CBKC.

“The Rochester adds another dynamic element to CBKC’s Blue Parkway campus that already includes more than 430,000 SF of diversified office, retail and service providers. This residential development marks the first of a number of projects CBKC has planned along the Blue Parkway corridor and throughout the east side,” Pierson, Jr. said.

CBKC announced last year that its 69,000 SF office building at 4001 Blue Parkway was 100 percent occupied. With tenants such as Legal Aid and the Mid-America Assistance Coalition, the three-story property has become a convenient services resource for the community.

“CBKC is changing the landscape of Kansas City’s east side with meaningful projects that matter to the community,” said former Missouri Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls.

“CBKC has proven it gets quality projects in challenging geographies done. We are excited to see this asset added to our community and know we can expect news of other development to come," Curls said.

The Rochester on Blue Parkway will feature in-demand finishes and amenities including stainless steel appliances, solid-surface countertops, in-unit washer and dryer, an indoor/outdoor rooftop deck, fitness center, package pick-up room, community meeting space as well as landscaped front and back yard spaces furnished for grilling and gathering around the fire pit.

Rates will be in the range of $985 to $1,275 for the one-bedroom/one bath, one-bedroom plus den/one bath and two-bedroom/two-bathroom units. There also will be a penthouse two-bedroom executive suite.

Founded in 1991, CBKC is responsible for revitalizing the Blue Parkway area by developing commercial projects such as The 4001 Blue Parkway Office Building and the Swope Health Services Campus and residential projects like Mt. Cleveland Heights and Townhomes. The effort brought affordable housing, retail development, commercial offices and countless social services to a formerly blighted area.

The property was named after R. (Rochester) Charles (Chuck) Gatson, the visionary founder of CBKC who grew up east of Troost and invested his career in service to the education, training and capacity building of individuals and communities in need. Gatson received numerous leadership recognitions including the James A. Johnson Fellowship from the Fannie Mae Foundation, awarded to leaders in affordable housing and community development.

“Straub Construction is appreciative to partner with CBKC in the project to honor a long-time visionary and client, Chuck Gatson. His significant impact on the community continues today,” said Parker Young, president of Straub Construction, the project’s general contractor.

CBKC currently has more than $80 million in real estate assets, from downtown to 63rd Street, under management.

Other project partners include project designer Hufft, Artin LLC, Custom Engineering, FSC,Inc., Land3 Studio and Taliaferro & Browne. CBKC is working with several partners to finalize the project’s capital funding.

Construction is expected to begin in Q4 2020 with an anticipated completion date of approximately one year later.

Meridian at View High luxury apartments celebrate grand opening

Meridian at View High, a luxury-apartment complex located at 201 NW Kessler Dr. in Lee's Summit, Mo., is complete and plans to celebrate with a grand opening event next week.

Construction began in 2018 on the 312-unit complex developed by Cityscape Residential, an Indianapolis-based firm who has developed several multifamily projects in the Kansas City area, including Summit & Apex on Quality Hill, Crossroads Westside, Residence at Prairie Fire and Greenwood Reserve.

The pet-friendly apartment community offers one, two and three-bedroom floor plans as well as numerous amenities; including free weights and group exercise, massage room and light therapy room, theater room, TV lounge, clubhouse, sundeck, bike storage, car wash, pool, off-leash pet park and a 24-hour fitness center.

"We are extremely excited about the opening of Meridian at View High. This amenity-rich community is perfectly situated with walkability to retail, proximity to golf, hiking and Longview Lake as well as Greater Kansas City via tremendous highway access. Meridian is the first piece of The Village at View High Lifestyle Center and extension of The New Longview commercial district, which we are proud to be associated with," Ryan Adams, vice president of Cityscape Residential, said.   

CityScape is also working on ELEVATE 114, a multifamily project in downtown Lee’s Summit. The complex includes 273 apartments at the corner of Second and Douglas streets. The $52 million project will integrate the 100-year-old sanctuary of the former United Methodist Church on the block into its design.  

Construction on ELEVATE 114 began last week with an anticipated tenant move-in date of June 2021.

The Meridian at View High grand opening event is scheduled for March 11, 2020, from 3-5pm.

Copaken Brooks adds The Walnuts, Plaza Pavilion to condo portfolio

Copaken Brooks is expanding its condominium management footprint in Kansas City. The firm will begin management for The Walnuts at 5049 Wornall Road and the Plaza Pavilion at 4949 Wornall Road, adding a total of nearly 300,000 SF to the current 1.3 million SF of the firm’s growing Class-A condo portfolio.

Just south of the Country Club Plaza stand The Walnuts - a 53-unit, 210,000 SF luxury condominium complex set in historic brick and stone, Jacobean-style buildings.

Around the corner from The Walnuts sits Plaza Pavilion, a five-story, 87,000 SF mid-rise community built in 2000 that houses 50 units, ranging from studios to four-bedroom layouts.

“Our city continues to grow, and with it, (so does) the multifamily market. Our premier condo management team is prepared to advise building owners, condo associations and boards on the best strategies to maximize their value while delivering consistent, high-quality service,” said Mark Thomas, senior vice president of asset and property management at Copaken Brooks.

The Walnuts and Plaza Pavilion join a growing list of condominiums managed by Copaken, including Western Auto Lofts, San Francisco Tower, Wallstreet Tower, Union Carbide Condominiums and One Park Place.