Twin Tower Condos Proposed for Downtown

[ShowMeKC]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/b...ss/14117713.htm

Developer proposes twin condo towers on Grand

By MATT CAMPBELLThe Kansas City Star

Proposed twin condo towers with ultra-plush units and a 12th-floor restaurant sky bridge could flank Grand Boulevard and become an iconic gateway to the city, a developer says.

Bruce Roberts said he will file plans with the city this week for an urban redevelopment district. On Tuesday the city park board, which has a say-so over Grand Boulevard, endorsed the project between Seventh and Eighth streets.

Roberts said he typically builds homes in Mission Hills and has never attempted a project of this scale but was excited about the prospect. He described the concept as creating an old-world design to evoke the feeling of mansions in New York and London.

Roberts said he already has acquired the property and has financing in place for the approximately $90 million project. The developer hopes to have city approval by September and to follow an 18-month construction schedule.

A rendering of the project, to be called Wellington Place, prepared by architect Rick Woodbridge, depicts symmetrical towers 15 stories tall with copper roofs.

They would be connected at the 12th floor with a bridge that would be a seating area for a high-profile restaurant.

Woodbridge said he knew city planners last year had rejected a proposed skywalk on Baltimore Avenue that critics said would have blocked street-level views and discouraged pedestrian activity. But he said he believed this proposed bridge on Grand would be high enough to avoid such concerns.

[midwest]

That looks great, is that part of the power and light district?

[M. Brown]

NiCe!

[ShowMeKC]

No, it's on the complete opposite side of the Loop. It's about 4 blocks to the north. The skywalk will be going over the street.

This is something I put together to help those at the KC site imagine this better:

[KCMOlover]

I thought downtown KCMO was facing a glut of condos that aren't moving. Is that true?

[ShowMeKC]

What? Downtown has gained at least 2,000 people since the year 2000. (The original DT population number had been 6,334. However it turns out that estimation was wrong and the census estimates for postal codes puts it at about 13,000 in 2000)

KC has about 2,000-3,000 more units that are under construction or proposed for Downtown.