What’s to come in 2021: The apartment complex influx

By Kathy Feist

Despite the pandemic, south Kansas City continues to experience growth. Perhaps the largest growing sectors for the area are industrial parks (see story here) and apartment complexes. The two feed off each other: one creating jobs and the other housing employees and their families.  

Apartment Complexes

Not too long ago, there was an influx of new retirement homes in south Kansas City. The tide has turned. Apartment complexes are now being built for the first time in 20 years in some areas. Most exciting are the affordable housing units that are starting to take off, thanks to the low-income housing tax credit funding that the Missouri Housing Development Commission revived in late September after a three year absence.   

The Waldo Apartments – The five-story, $9 million multi-use complex, being built off 75th and Wornall, will consist of 44 apartments. Rent will range from $1000 to $1700 per month. On the ground floor level, 4000 square feet will be occupied by Waldo-based Littlefield Eye Specialists, leaving 800 square feet still available. Diane Botwin of Botwin Commercial Development says she is working with fiber artist Sonie Joi Thompson-Ruffin to make a site specific art installation. Completion is expected in the late spring/early summer.

Marlborough Lofts and Townhomes – The mixed-income project includes a reconstruction of the former KCMO elementary school near 75th and Troost into 37 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 18 new two- and three-bedroom row housing. The project is a joint venture between Prairie Fire Development Group, the Marlborough Community Coalition and Marlborough Community Land Trust. The project is currently stalled.  

The Edison at Bridlespur – The Edison at Bridlespur, 104th Terrace and Wornall, expects to start leasing apartments in the first of four multi-story buildings by June. The 160-unit complex at 104th Terrace and Wornall Road should be completely finished by August, said Rod Jones of St. Louis-based Quadrant Communities. Model units ranging from studio, one- and two-bedroom sizes should be available for viewing around the beginning of May with rents averaging $1,100-$1,400 per month. Amenities will include a community room, pool, fitness center, barbecue grills, dog park, cyber lounge, Lyft/Uber waiting lounge. Some of the units will be built with special soundproofing in the windows to deflect highway noise from nearby I-435, and a right turn lane on 104th Terrace is being added to allow vehicles to go north on Wornall.

Forest Ridge Villas – Over 10 acres at 133rd and Charlotte St., immediately east of Jack Stack BBQ in Martin City, will be the site for the 195-unit ski lodge style apartment complex overlooking 300 acres of scenic Jackson County parkland.  Rent will range from $897 to $1,119 a month. Amenities include a clubhouse with an exercise room, theater room and pool, as well as a tornado safe room. J.W. Ellis Development has already cleared the property and plans to break ground this summer. 

135th & Holmes Apartments – A $36 million apartment complex with commercial retail space in Martin City has been approved for a 75 percent tax abatement, according Dave Christie of Christie Development Associates. The project, which will be managed by Miller Commerce and TLC out of Springfield, includes three retail spaces and 200 luxury apartment units housed in eight 3-story buildings. The 20-acre site sits on the southeast corner of Holmes and 135th St. If plans go well, construction will begin in April. 

Regents Park Leawood– The plan for a $135 million mixed use development at 135th and Kenneth Rd (southwest corner) is in the final stage of approval by the City of Leawood. If approved in February, the high-end village-style community will include 60 townhomes, 81 maintenance provided villas, 183 luxury apartments over a ground floor filled with retail and office space. Amenities included a pool, clubhouse, two pickleball courts and walking trails. Developer Rick Lashbrook says he hopes to start construction on the public improvements at the site later this year. 

Libertad Grandview – Construction of 55 affordable and seven market-rate family units  will be built on three acres near I-49 and 127th St in Grandview. The three-story apartment complex will include residents 55 and older and families at risk of homelessness. The Vecino Group out of Springfield says if all goes well, construction will begin in late summer and completed in October 2022. Preliminary pricing, based on income, is $389 to $925 for a one bedroom unit and $460 to $1000 for a two-bedroom. 

Grand Summit Apartments – The apartment complex that borders Belton and Grandview along 155th and 71 Hwy has added 246 new units to its 20-year old development. At 1,146 total apartments, Grand Summit offers an 18-hole golf course and country club with swimming pool, fitness center, and tennis courts. Apartments in the final phase run $665 to $945. 

NorthPoint Apartments – Plans for a $44 million, 322-unit apartment complex at the intersection of 163 St and Turner Rd have recently been approved by the City of Belton. NorthPoint Apartments will consist of six 4-story buildings, a swimming pool, clubhouse, walking trail and dog park. Rent will range from  $850 for studios to $1600 for two-bedroom apartments. The developers, NorthPoint Development, expects to break ground on the 11.6-acre site in the spring.