KC Marriott Downtown completes $65M remodel

After eight years, the Kansas City Marriott Downtown's $65 million renovation is complete. The major investment includes a $44 million transformation of its 970 rooms into luxurious, technology-forward spaces designed for the modern traveler.

The Raphael Hotel Group, led by the Pistilli family, manages the flagship property, located in the heart of downtown Kansas City; steps from the streetcar, entertainment and attractions.

The new, modernly-designed rooms include modular furniture as well as a focus on technology. Each room includes an average of six USB ports, fast Wi-Fi and a 55-inch, high-definition smart television, ready to stream top services like Netflix, Hulu and more.

The hotel took extra steps to include green initiatives in the renovation plan by including a temperature-controlled energy system in each room. The system automatically resets when guests enter or leave a room. An extensive recycling program, composting, pens and note pads made from recycled material and paperless billing add to the hotels' green efforts.

“The $65 million invested back into the Kansas City Marriott Downtown is a commitment to continue providing the highest level experience for visitors and locals alike,” said Cynthia Savage, Raphael Hotel group vice president.

All beds in the 430 king rooms, 501 queen rooms and 39 suites, were replaced with the hotel's signature Marriott Bed and Marriott Bedding. The Marriott Bedding is curated, aimed to give each guest a luxurious sleep experience while the Marriott Bed markets to distribute body weight evenly and reduce pressure points for a serene sleep experience.

Additionally, the new bathrooms feature walk-in showers and are outfitted with spa-quality furnishings and features, including back-lit mirrors.

Artist Anthony Benton Gude, grandson of famous Missouri-born muralist Thomas Hart Benton, created an abstract jazz interpretation piece for every room, in honor of Kansas City’s jazz culture.

The lobby provides locals and visitors a perfect work-life balance. During the day, the adaptive, technology-friendly area serves as a space to recharge or use as a remote workspace. The area features Coffee Central, the hotel's quick-service coffee shop, a breakfast bar and a large two-story waterfall.

The lobby bar, Bar Central, offers locals and travelers a place to mix and unwind at communal tables with local beer, wine and spirits.

The hotel is equipped with a team of more than seventy experienced event and banquet associates and thirty-five customizable event spaces, ranging from a few hundred square feet to ballrooms as large as 17,000 SF.

For locals, the hotel holds an average of more than 300 social events a year, and provides high-quality dining experiences at Bar Central and its restaurant, MetropolitanKC.

The 22,000 SF fitness center on the 22nd floor offers expansive views, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, on-demand classes and an open-year-around, indoor pool. Locals can utilize the fitness center as well with a no-contract membership for only $45 a month.

The locally owned hotel is the largest hotel in the region, attracting more than 323,000 guests annually and hosting more than 900 meetings and events a year.

Kessinger Hunter brings Silicon Valley's ITRenew to I-35 Logistics Park

Kessinger Hunter & Company has finalized a long-term lease with ITRenew, an information technology and service provider from Silicon Valley.

The 315,000+ SF space in Building C was the last vacancy of the 1.3 million SF presently constructed at Olathe's I-35 Logistics Park.

“We could not be more excited to make I-35 Logistics Park our largest North American facility. As our processing and production capabilities continue to scale at a rapid rate, I-35 Logistics Park and Kansas City more broadly offers us the skills and resources we need to grow,” said Aidin Aghamiri, CEO of ITRenew.

Located only 2.5 miles from the city’s new 159th & Lone Elm interchange at I-35, and 8.5 miles from the 1,200-acre BNSF Intermodal Center, I-35 Logistics Park is primed to deliver up to its capacity of 4.7 million SF.

“Companies like ITRenew in the information technology sector are just another example of the continuing strong demand for state-of-the-art, large facilities in the Midwest,” said Dan Jensen, Kessinger Hunter landlord rep.

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, ITRenew is the world’s leading provider of hyper-scale data center services. The firm is orchestrating a circular global IT hardware ecosystem by providing technology-enabled hardware decommissioning services to the largest technology businesses in the world and using hyper-scale technology to create high-performance compute and storage solutions for all other IT-hardware buyers.

Eliminating all data security risk and ensuring complete regulatory compliance for clients lies at the foundation of the firm’s work.

“We are now looking to move forward on developing our next building at I-35 Logistics Park and our belief is that the availability of Class A big-box space will make Kansas City an even more enticing destination for expanding companies,” Jensen added.

The landlord was represented by Dan Jensen, SIOR and Kurt Jensen, SIOR member associate, both of Kessinger Hunter. ITRenew was represented by Brad Struck, SIOR and Sharon Morrison, SIOR of esrp Tenant Advisory Services of Dallas; and represented locally by Matthew Severns, SIOR of Kessinger Hunter.

Lane4 breaks ground on two senior living communities

LANE4 Property Group began construction on two sites within the Kansas City metro for its newest independent senior living development concept, Novel Place.

The facilities are located at 95th and Metcalf in Overland Park, and Hwy 40 and Hwy 7 in Blue Springs.

“Novel Place is setting a new standard for affordable, yet convenient, independent senior living. Future residents will have access to more amenities without having to break their bank,” said Hunter Harris, Lane4 partner.

Novel Place’s mission revolves around providing each resident with an improved sense of lifestyle rather than just a place to call home. Home health, dining, wellness, and transportation programs are available to future residents; each thoughtfully crafted to enhance the residents’ experience.

“We’re thrilled both Novel Place locations will be joining neighborhoods in Kansas City that already embody a strong sense of community,” Harris said.

Novel Place offers refined common areas, outdoor courtyards, an in-house fitness studio, and multiple gathering spaces for residents and their guests.

Each location features 134 apartments in a three-story building with a variety of studio, one, and two-bedroom floor plans.

“Our ergonomically friendly features, relaxed contemporary coastal design, and passionate commitment to foster a true sense of community are the cornerstones of our mission,” said Deb Wagner, Novel Place vice president of senior living.

“In our minds, it’s not just about constructing a building; it’s about providing a safe and affordable solution where neighbors can enjoy, support, and celebrate each other,” Wagner said.

Omaha-based, NewStreet Properties, LLC, has joined LANE4 as investment partners for both Novel Place locations. Architectural services for each project will be provided by Davidson Architecture and Engineering and construction services will be provided by Centric.

Academy Bank will provide financing for Novel Place of Blue Springs and Security Bank will provide financing for Novel Place of Overland Park.

Both locations are expected to be open by Summer of 2020.

Astoria Healthcare Properties adds senior living to the map

The Retreat of Alameda will be the first senior living facility for Leawood, KS-based, Astoria Healthcare Properties, who has typically developed ambulatory surgery centers, surgical specialty hospitals and medical office buildings.

The assisted living and memory care facility consists of approximately 93,000 SF with 72 apartments for assisted living, and 38 memory care apartments in a separate, secured setting.

“Adding senior living as a product type is a natural extension for us. Our expertise is developing healthcare facilities with the goal of providing higher quality care at a lower cost. Not only is the demand for senior living increasing, but the ability to provide a product that provides quality care at an affordable price is in greater demand," said John Foudray, Astoria Healthcare CEO.

Amenities include a full kitchen and private dining room with wood slat ceilings, contemporary café/pub, theater, therapy room, fitness center, salon/barber, multi-activity room, lounge and outdoor courtyards. A looped walking path is connected to a central outdoor atrium, giving residents the opportunity to be outdoors on their own. The entire facility will be steel-framed and have an emergency generator system.

The facility, designed by triARC Design, provides a fresh take on traditional senior living, focusing on the current generation of design-savvy seniors who appreciate a more contemporary aesthetic.

"The design story revolves around how different people approach the concept of “retreat, ” said Jon Hanna, triARC Design senior project manager. "Each space gives a different way to retreat; to wander, to contemplate, to be vibrant, and to decompress."

The Retreat at Alameda will be managed by Paradigm Senior Living, a national provider of management services to the senior housing industry. Paradigm has assisted in operation of more than seventy senior living communities, totalling 8,500+ living units, valued at more than $1B.

The project is located in northern Phoenix, at 1920 W. Alameda Rd., an area currently undergoing rapid residential development. Construction on the project is scheduled to commence in September with completion in March 2021.

Astoria Healthcare Properties is owned by Nueterra Capital, a private equity company investing in healthcare and technology companies.