New York Developer has Found a Little Tribeca in Garment District

By Kevin Collison

Andrew Bolton specializes in historic redevelopment projects and had worked in New Orleans and Washington D.C. before coming to Kansas City.

He liked what he found so much he decided to relocate here from New York.

“I came to Kansas City in the 1990s on business,” he said. “I didn’t know much about the city, but I loved the architecture. It reminded me of Tribeca.”

Fast forward 20 years and Bolton is now redeveloping the historic Liebstadter Millinery Co. Building at 905 Broadway into 25 apartments.

The 115-year-old building is part of the historic Garment District.

“I came out and it’s almost like the building found me,” he said. “I left New York and I’m now living at Roaster’s Block.”

He’s calling his $8 million project Mulberry Lofts, “I’m big into nature,” and the first units are expected to be ready by the beginning of the year with the remainder done in February.

His project is above the Subway on Broadway, which will remain, and next door to the 915 Broadway apartment project recently completed by Yarco Development Co.

Bolton said the scale and feel of the turn-of-the-last century buildings in the Garment District reminded him of the old industrial buildings in Tribeca, one of New York’s hipper residential and commercial districts. His building was completed in 1902.

“I’m bringing elements from the New York lobby world into our lobby, preserving historic features like the stairwells and ceilings, and using the original hardwood floors,” he said.

“The heart of it is preservation of the past and continuing the building’s life into the future.”

He’s also arranged for residents at Mulberry Lofts to use some of the amenities of Roaster’s Block, another historic rehab apartment project one block north on Broadway. That project’s lounge, outdoor patio and pool will be included.

In keeping with the nature theme, Bolton named the apartment layouts after trees including Juniper, Cedar and Redwood. There will be eight studios, 13 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units. Rents range from $1,000-$1,100 for a studio; $1,200-$1,350 for a one-bedroom, and about $1,700 for a two-bedroom.

Mulberry Lofts will include a rooftop deck, fitness room and basement parking with 10 spaces. More parking has been arranged in a garage across the street.

The architect is KEM STUDIO and the contractor is Centric Projects.

Mulberry Lofts kitchen design.