East Crossroads Apartment Plan With Affordable Units Moving Forward

By Kevin Collison

Design work has begun on a 190-unit apartment project in the East Crossroads that will include affordable housing and a fitness center open to the public.

Developer Michael Collins has acquired the 1.2-acre site southeast of Truman Road and Holmes from the city and is anticipates beginning construction on his ‘Mohawk at 15th” development next summer.

The six-story project will include studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 510- to 1,000 square-feet. Thirty-eight of the units, 20 percent, will be reserved for people making up to 60 percent Area Median Income.

The Metro Kansas City AMI for a one-person household per federal guidelines is about $67,700 and $77,500 for two people.

The Mohawk project will include a 110-space podium garage. The development also will feature dedicated bike storage and electric vehicle charging stations. It’s located near the Troost MAX bus line as well.

A rooftop terrace with views of downtown also is part of the project design.

This former city building at 1531 Holmes will be demolished to make way for apartments.

“‘Mohawk at 15th’ is not merely a building—it’s an embodiment of the eclectic spirit that defines the Crossroads Arts District, according to a press release.

“Welcome to a development that will celebrate people from all walks of life, embracing an eclectic approach to diversity and inclusion.”

The development will include a 6,000 square-foot, ground floor fitness center called the DogPound open to the public. It will emphasize athletic performance, yoga, boxing, cardio and recovery.

“Founded by none other than Kansas City’s own Kirk Myers, this health, fitness, and lifestyle brand has already conquered New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and the virtual world,” according to the release.

Collins’ development venture is Grayson Capital. He began negotiating with the city a year ago to acquire the property. The site is currently occupied by a former city building at 1531 Holmes that will be demolished.

Grayson is being joined by Bryan Dennie of Corbella LLC for the development. Draw Architecture + Urban Design will design the project and Paric is the general contractor.

The Mohawk development would be the first to offer affordable housing opportunities in the East Crossroads, a growing downtown neighborhood featuring microbreweries, restaurants and shops.

The area’s first new residential project, Arte KC, a 341-unit market-rate apartment development, opened in late 2020 at 19th and Locust.