Platform launches new retail/office phase at New Longview as B&B goes vertical

The New Longview area in Lee's Summit is busy with construction activity as a huge crane finished tilting the exterior concrete walls last week for B&B Theatres' new boutique cinema located in the New Urbanism-themed commercial project. The theatre will include all-leather reclining seating, a full kitchen, a full bar, and a lounge and patio area.  

The property owner, a fund under the management of Platform Ventures (formerly Mariner Real Estate), is using the momentum to announce master plans for three to six additional retail and office buildings adjacent to the B&B Theatres project available for lease. The new phase on the north side of Fascination Drive within New Longview will include up to 60,000 square feet of space available for a mixture of commercial uses. 

"We are speaking with several potential tenants for office and retail buildings planned for 'Fascination North,' " said Platform Ventures Senior Vice President Corey Walker. 

The new buildings are conceived as creative/loft-style space and should attract a wide range of creative office, restaurant, retail, and medical-office users who appreciate the unique 'sense of place' that comes with a walkable project like New Longview, according to Brandon LaSala of NAI Heartland, which is marketing the project's office space. 

"We are really excited to work on lease-up of the next phase of retail/office buildings," LaSala said. "There is even a three-story headquarters office building availability that we've been discussing with a few users, and we look forward to some exciting announcements."

Office availabilities range from 1,000 to 8,000 square feet, plus a 55,000 square feet HQ office lot. Those interested in office space can contact Brandon LaSala here. 

Retail and restaurant availabilities range from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet. For more information, you can contact Chad LaSala here. 

The District at City Center seeks to fill void in Lenexa's office and retail market

Construction is officially underway for The District at City Center, a mixed-use project that brings additional luxury apartments, first-class retail and full-floor office space to the Lenexa City Center development area at 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard.

The District will add 175 luxury residential apartments, 45,000 square feet of office and 35,000 square feet of retail to the already successful Domain apartments and the recently opened Lenexa City Hall and Civic Campus.

Designed to complement the existing 800,000 square feet of retail, office and recreational mixed uses at Lenexa City Center, The District will fill a unique void in the Lenexa office and retail submarket with full floor offices for 5,000 square foot tenants plus much-needed first class retail space, according to Keith Copaken of Copaken Brooks.

“We are well underway with the District and City Center, as well as Lenexa as a whole, and are really hitting on all cylinders right now,” Copaken said.  “I’m not sure you could find a more exciting and active area in the Kansas City metro area right now.”

The District is scheduled to open in March of 2019 and is being co-developed by longtime Kansas City office and retail developer Copaken Brooks and residential lifestyle development firm EPC Real Estate Group.

“EPC is thrilled to create another development that provides convenience, connectivity and community. The District is located in a prime location adjacent to restaurants, office, the Public Market, and the Lenexa Civic Center just to name a few. People love the ability to be a short walk or drive away from an experience,” said Brendon O’Leary, EPC Real Estate Group vice president of development.

At the District's groundbreaking on Tuesday, Copaken thanked the City of Lenexa for serving as a valued partner: “None of this would be possible without the foresight, guidance and determination from the City...  Lenexa has been a great development partner in every sense of the word and every step of the way.”

Lenexa Mayor Michael Boehm said it is gratifying to watch a long-time dream take shape. 

“We could not be more pleased with all the development activity in the City Center area. It really has become what we and the community originally envisioned - the city and civic hub of the City of Lenexa,” Boehm said in a release. 

The District at City Center officially broke ground on Tuesday, September 19.

The project team for The District at City Center Lenexa includes: Copaken Brooks (Co-developer, office leasing agent & property manager), EPC Real Estate Group (Co-developer, apartment leasing agent & property manager), Klover Architects (architect), Studio A Architecture (residential consultant), BSE (structural engineer), Latimer Sommers & Associates (mechanical design), Phelps Engineering (civil engineer - private), GBA Architects Engineers (civil engineer - public), HarenLaughlin Construction (general contractor), Richard Clayton Barrett (landscape design) and Lewis Rice (legal).

For more information about The District, email Ryan Biery at rbiery@copaken-brooks.com. Or check out more about the project here. 

Terracon tops out new Olathe headquarters

Terracon "topped out" the frame of its new headquarters at Ridgeview Avenue and College Boulevard on Tuesday, less than six months after the $21 million project was announced. Completion is set for March of 2018.

The new 65,000 square foot office building will accommodate about 200 existing employees and will emphasize collaborative spaces, including a new training conference center and expanded amenities. 

"Terracon's new headquarters reflects our continued growth strategy, as well as our commitment to remain part of the Olathe business community," said Terracon President Swaminathan Srinivasan. "Our goal is to inspire our employees while we focus on our future and serve our clients in new, innovative ways."

The new building is a business retention win for the City of Olathe and the State of Kansas; Terracon has been headquartered in Olathe for more than 10 years and sought several locations on both sides of the state line before deciding on new construction near its current location.