By Kathy Feist
Construction in Kansas City was down at the beginning of 2024 but picked up toward the end of the year. Long-awaited projects began to make their way through the city’s approval process and are now at our doorstep.
This year, Grandview is seeing more housing construction than usual, offering mid-range priced options for first-time buyers or families.
Leawood is building out the 135th Street Corridor at varying speed. Houses have started going vertical in a couple of large luxury developments.
The following is an update on most development projects in south Kansas City. We begin with the newspaper’s hometown.
Martin City area
Blue Ridge & Wornall:
The former skilled nursing home at 12940 Wornall Rd. will soon become a mixed-use development, combining an apartment complex featuring 133 residential units with a small commercial space. IronDoor Development’s plan calls for conversion of the three existing buildings into studio, one-, two, and three-bedroom units.
The renovation includes new countertops, tile and appliances. A total landscaping makeover is also part of the plan. Rent amounts would run from $800 to $2,000 monthly. The city approved plans as late as January 2025. The apartments were built in the late 1980s.
135th & Holmes:
Cable-Dahmer Auto Group has purchased both the former Sutherlands and PaintBall properties located on the south corners of 135th and Holmes. According to Cable-Dahmer spokesperson Robert Merritt “Besides cleaning up the old Sutherlands buildin , making it usable and getting rid of the mold inside we don’t have any plans to share yet. They are still in development.”
Tilden Station:
The 28-acre development planned for 1 W 135th Street (former Martin City Sports Complex) will subdivide into three parcels: one for a 4-story apartment complex with as many as 300 units; a second for retail and restaurants, and the third for offices and sports facilities or storage units. Developer Revive Capital expects the city review process to last another seven months followed by 16 months of construction beginning this summer.
Red Bridge
Limeview Development:
A residential plan called Village West of Holmes by Limeview Development proposes 19 single family homes on 5.6 acres of wooded property at 12800 Holmes Rd. The builder describes four architectural choices as “modern in style, with a sought after contemporary aesthetic.” All vary in size from 2,000 to 2,900 square feet and feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two-car garages. The project has been approved by the city and land is being cleared of rocks.
115th & Holmes Rd:
IronDoor Development’s plan calls for 50 buildings and 174 living units on Holmes Road between 115th and 117th streets, a total of 17 acres. The project includes two- and three-story red brick townhomes and four single-family homes. Recent plans have included a widening of 117th and Holmes Road as well as 115th and Campbell to include turning lanes. Rezoning plans were approved in January. Once building plans are approved, IronDoor expects the project to be complete in two years.
112th & State Line Road:
The property at 1300 W 112th Terrace will eventually have five single-family homes along State Line Road, facing eastward. A new cul de sac has been built (Bell Street). Developer Midwest Associates estimates the first house will go vertical at the end of the year. Lots range from a quarter to half an acre. The two-story homes are expected to sell for $1 million.
Waldo
1500 Meadow Lake Apts:
EPC Real Estate Group is planning a three- to four-story apartment complex with 213 units and 237 parking garage stalls at 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, northeast of State Line and 76th Street (near HyVee). Plans include 6,500 square feet of commercial space, and two courtyards, a pool, including a fitness center, lounge and golf simulator space.
Waldo 74:
EPC Real Estate Group is also developing Waldo74, formerly the location of The Well at 74th and Broadway. The Well has been demolished and a foundation dug for the five- to six-story complex. The $90 million project consists of retail space on the ground floor, 25 studios, 176 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units, and a 374-space garage divided for resident and customer parking. An outdoor pool, whiskey lounge, clubhouse and golf simulator are part of the apartment amenities. The Well will return on the ground floor adjacent to three other retail spaces. No rooftop lounge is in the plans.
Bannister Corridor
The Villas at Oakwood:
Located at 9700 Grandview Rd., 29 acres will be transformed into a 9-hole per Par 3 golf course surrounded by 16 stucco villas, four cottages and other amenities. At least two villas are under construction after the plan received approval in August. The property connects to Oakwood Country Club.
Trails at Bannister:
PedCor Investments’ affordable housing plans have been approved for a 216-unit apartment all-income community on 24 acres south of the Cerner campus, 93rd and Hillcrest near the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks. The plans include 19 three-story buildings featuring one-, two- and three-bedrooms and garage parking. Thirty-three units will be reserved for families dealing with disabilities.
Depot at Old Santa Fe:
Kittle Property Group, Inc. is bringing a brand-new affordable housing opportunity for 252 families or individuals in the Kansas City metro-area. The Depot Apartments will provide a housing option that fits the budget of a growing work force. The Depot will consist of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, serving households of all sizes. Located at 9100 Old Santa Fe Rd., near Millennium Santa Fe Elementary and Hickman Mills Middle School, the 31- acre site is also adjacent to the Three Trails System and a transportation hub. Each apartment home will include washer, dryer, master bedroom walk-in closets, attached balconies, full range kitchen appliances. Community amenities include a clubhouse, pool with entertainment area, playground, bark park, rentable garages and storage, and a bike storage room. Old Depot is a pet-friendly community. The 227 units will serve families and individuals earning 60% of the area median income (AMI).
Grandview
City Center Townhomes:
A townhome development is being built at 1401 Goode Ave, across from Grandview’s City Hall and Police Station in the middle of its downtown area. The four-acre development will consist of 9 three-story double townhomes (18 units) and 21 two-story townhomes (42). The three- and two- bedroom homes include EV charging stations, lawn care, an HOA and a dog park. Developer BRED Inc says most infrastructure has been constructed. Townhomes will be built as they are sold. Prices range from $265,000 to $300,000.
Falcon Trails Subdivision:
The new townhome development planned for 3501 Blue Ridge Extension began clearing property in October for 20 townhomes (40 units) on about 10 acres south of the Fountain Lake Subdivision. Plans include a small playground and nature trails. The three-bedroom, 2-½ baths, 1-car garage units plan to rent for around $1800 per month. The developer Falcon Trail Development says the first house is expected to go vertical in May.
Grandview Acres:
Preliminary development plans for eight single family homes on a .83 acre parcel located at 13th and 135th streets (west of 71 Hwy) were approved this fall. The plans were submitted by Elevate Design + Build, LLC in Blue Springs. The homes will be built on a parcel of land adjacent to the Calvary Temple Community Church of the Apostolic Faith.
River Oaks:
River Oaks Golf Club, near 150 Highway and Byars Road, recently came under new ownership with plans to convert the clubhouse to an event space, build 80 homes on the former golf course and construct a small retail space for a coffee house, etc. Builder Jorge Hernandez reports that the first phase, the event space, now called the Glasshouse at River Oaks, will be completed by April.
Leawood
Regents Park:
The infrastructure for Regents Park mixed-use development along the south side of 135th Street is now complete. The high-end village-style community will include 59 townhomes, 81 maintenance provided villas, and 193 luxury apartments with retail and office space on the first floor. Construction is underway for the twin villas. Construction of the townhomes, called Mayfair, will begin in the first quarter of 2025. An age-restricted condo, Village Co-op, is being built on the northeast corner of the site.
East Village of Leawood:
The 120-acre property that travels along the north side of 135th St between State Line to Pawnee Ln. will consist of 648 apartments, 84 townhomes, 26 twin villas, 35 single family homes, 40 condos, a 100-unit assisted living center and office and retail space. Construction has begun on the first phase including infrastructure and single family homes.
Leawood Village:
A mixed-use development on 12 acres at 8680 State Line Rd., west of Ward Parkway Shopping Center, has completed construction of its 182-unit apartment complex and is in the process of building 24 townhomes.
Belton
Arrowhead Airpark:
The Arrowhead Airpark has plans for a 159-acre luxury housing development with airplane hangars located at 203rd St. and Prospect (east of Holmes) near Belton. Plans consist of 95 lots, 50 of which are on ½ acre lots and 45 on 1-½ to 2-acre lots. Homes on the half acre lots must have the airplane hangar attached to the home while the larger lots can have the hangars detached. A 3000-foot runway is planned. No take-offs are allowed after midnight. Arrowhead Airpark will apply for a Special Use Permit and rezoning (from Agriculture to R1 Single Family Homes) with the Cass County Commissioners. A public hearing is planned for March 25. Septic system and water drainage plans were approved in March 2024.