Firebirds, First Watch join Lee's Summit's Streets of West Pryor

The first restaurant tenants have been announced for the Streets of West Pryor development, currently under construction at I-470 & Pryor Road in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Drake Development president, Matt Pennington, revealed Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and First Watch as the first restaurant tenants at the mixed-use development.

“Our whole team is being very selective about what goes in. This development, to me, is kind of the trend-setter of Lee’s Summit,” Pennington said.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, based out of Charlotte, NC., offers chef-curated American fare out of its "100% from-scratch" kitchen. The restaurant specializes in hand-cut steaks, sustainable seafood and craft cocktails.

Pennington said Firebirds focuses on quality when expanding its franchise.

“There’s only three locations opening in the whole country in 2020 - we’re one of them. So you can imagine what goes into that,” Pennington said.

Besides being an environmentally-conscious restaurant, Firebird's is also a partner of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which works to fight childhood cancer #OneCupAtATime.

The second restaurant, First Watch, is based out of University Park, FL., and has been serving up fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch since 1983. According to their website, the restaurant welcomes customers with a pot — not just a cup — of their Project Sunrise coffee, along with complimentary newspapers and WiFi Internet access.

More tenant announcements are expected to be announced soon, but Pennington stressed that Drake is not in a rush to fill the leases.

“We’re just taking our time - making sure it’s the exact right users, rather than just filling it up,” Pennington said.

The 70-acre mixed use development will feature apartments, senior living, a hotel, McKeever’s Market grocery store and connected walking trails to nearby Lowenstein Park.

The first phase of Streets of West Pryor is on track to open later this year.

McKeever's Market to anchor 'Streets of West Pryor' in Lee's Summit

The $180 million Streets of West Pryor mixed-use development in Lee's Summit will be anchored by McKeever’s Market & Eatery. The 63,000 SF grocery store is a new-to-market concept operated by the McKeever family, with third-generational roots and over 40 years’ experience in the grocery space.

Drake Development broke ground in May on the 70-acre, $180 million project, located at the intersection of Interstate 470 and NW Pryor Road.

Other highlights include a 220+ luxury apartment complex, 165+ room hotel, 160+ age-restricted apartments-villas, and a wide range of national and local retail and restaurants. Due to ongoing negotiations, Drake declined to disclose additional tenant commitments.

The luxury apartment complex is being developed by Indianapolis-based Pearl Companies. First-class amenities will include underground structured parking, pool, fitness center, multiple courtyards, and first-floor access to restaurants, retail, and walking-trails to neighboring Lowenstein Park.

Led by Drake Development president, Matt Pennington, Streets of West Pryor was designed with the intent of creating a walkable and sustainable mixed-use community at the gateway of Lee’s Summit.

“When people think of a “mixed-use” development sometimes the end-product falls short, as it’s commonplace to have opportunities for live and play, but the “play” doesn’t extend beyond shopping or dining. We wanted to extend the “play” to outdoor recreation, and this was achieved through ample green space and walking trails connecting to neighboring Lowenstein Park. It was critical we tailored the site plan to include Lowenstein Park, which is a favorite among Lee’s Summit residents,” Pennington said.

The property is one of the last large infill sites in the KC metro, continually pursued by developers for its ideal location, but plagued with significant development issues including large quantities of rock, varying topography, power line relocation, and land assemblage of thirteen parcels owned by eight different property owners.

“We had an obligation to listen to any and all resident concerns. Planning meetings were meant to be an open discussion, answering all questions and iterating the project as we moved forward to address those concerns. We truly believe Streets of West Pryor was “co-created” with the City of Lee’s Summit and its residents,” Pennington said.

"As a consultant to Drake Development throughout the process and as a lifelong resident of Lee's Summit, I am so proud of what this brings to our community today and in the future, John Lovell, Lee's Summit Planning Commissioner added.

Other partners involved in the development include Emery Sapp & Sons, Lovell Sagebrush Insurance, RI Architects, and Schwerdt Design Group. Streets of West Pryor is expected to be complete by Summer 2020.