Cushman & Wakefield opens high-tech, collaborative Plaza West office

Cushman & Wakefield's Kansas City corporate office has relocated to a 10,000-square foot, high-tech, collaborative space on the 8th floor of the Plaza West building, 4600 Madison Ave.

"As the workforce changes, we have the ability to adapt quickly. The technology package we have here allows us to work anywhere," said Cushman & Wakefield Principal Mike Mayer. "The space is built for change and designed so we can even move the walls if we need to."

The office provides a mix of open areas and private, enclosed spaces, including both assigned offices as well as "focus-and-huddle" rooms. In addition, the space offers seamless interactive technologies, fully wireless connectivity and conferencing, ergonomic work spaces, moveable walls, and glass sliding doors on the main conference room to easily create a large, central gathering space adjacent to the kitchen area.

"Flexibility is the key, and this space allows for collaboration not only with each other but also with clients," Mayer said.

With floor-to-ceiling windows and treetop views of Kansas City to the south, the space is heavily branded with Cushman and Wakefield corporate signage but also includes local touches such as a decorative steel art piece installed by local engineering firm and fabricator Zahner Co. 

The metal panel at the office entrance forms a rough map of Kansas City's highway system using a series of dots and was designed by Cushman & Wakefield's local Marketing Manager Ashley Resner.

"Corporate real estate really drives your brand. We advise clients about that," Mayer said. "So, this new space allows us to implement our own best practices."

Bells and whistles include full kitchen with bar seating and beer on tap, a wellness area, restaurant-style meeting booths, and floor-to-ceiling wipe-board maps of the Kansas City region.  

Project partners included BRR Architecture,architecture and design services and Mid-America Contracting, general contractor. Cushman & Wakefield leveraged its in-house project management team to coordinate the build-out and relocation. Todd Gast, who leads the project and development team locally,  oversaw construction. Project Manager Scott Quarterson and Assistant Project Manager Josh Scott helped create additional efficiencies.

New owners announce 'gentle facelift' for century-old Longview Mansion

An entity of Sunflower Development Group has purchased the historic Longview Mansion in Lee's Summit and plans to begin a historic rehabilitation of the 102-year old property in early 2018. 

Developers call the restoration project a "gentle facelift" that will prepare the historic property at 1200 SW Longview Park Dr. for new life as a regional event venue and destination. 

"After several years working with the City of Lee's Summit and residents of the New Longview area, we were able to create a rehabilitation plan that addresses structural, roof, mechanical, electrical and plumbing issues that have plagued the mansion for years," Sunflower Development Group Director of Development Mark Moberly said. 

Work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018. Rau Construction Company will serve as general contractor for the project, and Rosemann & Associates, PC will lead architecture and design efforts. 

The rehabilitation will utilize state and federal historic tax credits, proceeds from the area TIF plans, financing from OakStar Bank, and private capital. 

In December, Longview Mansion's longtime operators Jeanne Marshall, Jenny Gale and Hunter Gale, moved from the premises. 

"Their dedication to the Mansion, commitment to the Longview neighborhood, and support of the Lee's Summit community has been unwavering over the many years," Moberly said. "As the new owners of the property, we are thankful for the care they have taken to keep the historical property a hallmark of Kansas City during that time."

All events currently booked at the Mansion will continue as planned, and bookings beyond September 2018 are being accepted. For details, call 816-761-6999 or email info@longviewmansion.com. 

Hawaiian dining concept launches in KC market with Belton location

Two brothers who helped operate Hawaiian Time, a quick casual
restaurant chain with nine Oregon locations, are rolling into the Kansas City market with a similar concept in Belton, the first of as many as a dozen planned for the metro area.

Cameron McNie and Tyler McNie will open Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, 1112 E. North Ave, in February. The brothers partnered with longtime friends and brothers Paul Worcester and Joel Worcester of Worcester Investments to purchase the 2,800-square foot former home of Long John Silver's.

"Our family purchased a single restaurant in 2003 from a Hawaiian family," Cameron McNie said. "We'd never been in the restaurant industry, but the business just exploded from that one location and we grew it throughout Oregon. After working for our family restaurant for many years, my brother and I wanted to branch off and do our own thing."  

The McNie brothers already are scouting a second metro-area location, touring 7-8 potential sites in November.

"We think this is an expandable concept. We have proven that in Oregon, so we're trying to move fast on additional locations," McNie said.

Hawaiian Bros will feature Hawaiian-inspired island décor and an all-fresh menu that includes a signature teriyaki chicken dish, Huli Huli Chicken. At about $8.50, the restaurant's traditional plate lunch includes a main portion of meat, two scoops of white rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad.

"This is a very similar yet different concept than Hawaiian Time. We have re-branded the look and feel to be our own as well as added some new takes on the menu while keeping the core of the traditional plate lunch intact," McNie said. "We've been doing this for 14 years and think we have a good idea of what works."

McNie said the ownership group chose to launch in Belton because of population growth in Belton and Raymore, as well as the ability to purchase the standalone building near Target and Home Depot at the intersection of 58 Highway and Towne Center Drive.  

"There are plenty of other successful establishments nearby, and the square footage is ideal for our operation," McNie said. "We feel our food and price point will be appealing to a wide demographic, allowing us to be successful wherever we are located. We believe the Midwest is ready for Hawaiian plate
lunch."

Hawaiian Bros. rendering courtesy: Clockwork Architecture

Helix Architecture has designs on KCAI student living center expansion

Helix Architecture + Design has been chosen to design a new 250-bed student living center and dining hall for the Kansas City Art Institute. Construction will begin in 2018 on the project, which was made possible by a $10 million anonymous gift through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

Several firms submitted proposals for the student living center, but Helix' plan stood out because it created connections and emphasized relationships between the new student living center, the new garden space and current housing, according to KCAI President Tony Jones. 

"The result will be a thoughtful design that takes into consideration the needs of our students while respecting our historic Rockhill and Southmoreland neighborhoods, and advancing the college's extensive landscape plan," Jones said.

Helix partnered with Denver-based consulting firm Christopher Carvell Architects to land the project. Carvell has developed nationally recognized expertise in the design of "Next Generation" student life facilities.

"It is an honor to work alongside one of the country's leading arts education institutions to redefine the student housing experience and create a space that nurtures the creativity of these young artists," said Reeves Wiedeman, founding principal with Helix Architecture + Design. "KCAI's new student housing project will be a beacon for attracting talent to the campus and our city."

Helix is an award-winning, Kansas City-based design firm consistently ranked among the best in the nation by Architect Magazine. The firm's diverse portfolio of work includes extensive experience with higher education institutions throughout the region. According to a release, the KCAI student housing project includes contemporary dining that will be open to the public and a large terraced garden. 

Located at 4415 Warwick, KCAI is a private, independent four-year college of art and design awarding the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with 13 studio majors. KCAI also offers continuing education courses. Founded in 1885, KCAI is Kansas City's oldest arts organization. For more information, visit www.kcai.edu. 

Village at View High vision comes into focus with multifamily site prep

Site preparation and infrastructure construction officially is underway for Meridian at View High, a 312-unit luxury apartment community planned for the northeast corner of 3rd Street and View High Drive within Lee's Summit's Village at View High mixed-use development.

"Over the next few months, construction crews will build sewers, roads, and a retention pond on the development site. It is exciting to see this important first piece of Village at View High begin to take shape," said John Bondon, president of Parrot Properties LLC, master developer of the Village at View High.

Parrot Properties chose Indianapolis-based Cityscape Residential to develop Meridian at View High's 18 buildings, with vertical construction expected to begin in early 2018 and units available for lease by the spring of 2019. 

"The partners of Cityscape Residential have seen the attractiveness of investing in Lee's Summit since making our first luxury apartment investment in the city over 15 years ago," said Jim Thomas, Cityscape Residential partner. "High quality of life, excellent schools, proximity to good jobs, and thoughtful local leadership have all led Cityscape to make Lee's Summit a significant part of our $250 million investment in the Kansas City metro area."

When completed, the 74-acre multifamily project will feature walkability, high-end retail and a true "live-work-play" lifestyle desired by Millennials and empty nesters alike, according to a release.

Village at View High is located in the heart of Lee's Summit's View High corridor on the city's west side and overlooks the Fred Arbanas Golf Course in Longview Lake Park, a 4,800+-acre green space with plentiful outdoor recreational opportunities. 

"It is rewarding to see dirt moving on Meridian at View High, as it is a critical 'domino' for the overall Village at View High project," said Rick McDowell, president of the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council. "A high-quality, plentiful, and diversified housing stock is central to our mission of promoting Lee's Summit as a model community for economic innovation and growth."