City Club Apartments Kick Off, First Residents Expected Next Fall

By Kevin Collison

The City Club Apartments project at 20th and Main formally broke ground this week, and developers believe there’s a robust appetite for the kind of upscale units it will bring to the Crossroads area.

“What’s got me excited is the renters are out there waiting for us,” said Jonathan Holtzman, CEO of Detroit-based City Club.

“I’d like to thank the city for the streetcar and the Crossroads for creating such a creative neighborhood.”

The $76.8 million project, in the works for a couple years, will transform much of the block from 19th to 20th streets, between Main and Walnut, into a 283-unit luxury apartment development that includes a rooftop pool, restaurant and 299 underground parking spaces.

Jonathan Holtzman, CEO of City Club, discusses project at groundbreaking event at The Regier.

While construction has been underway for more than a month, the ceremony in The Rieger restaurant across the street from the project brought together City Club officials, their financial partners and city officials, including Mayor Sly James.

“The streetcar has been a magnificent catalyst for a lot of things going on,” James said. “The reason is, its connectivity and City Club Apartment is part of that connectivity.

“This investment is a sign of people who see Kansas City as a place worthy of investment.”

The project includes not only the construction of a new, seven-story apartment development, but the renovation of the historic Midwest Hotel at 1925 Main St.

On a lighter note, David Johnson from the Crossroads Community Association noted the tawdry last days of the Midwest Hotel before it closed, and the arson-fire that destroyed the adjoining Hereford House restaurant in 2008.

“I moved here in  2004 when you could rent a room by the hour at the Midwest Hotel and shortly after, the building next door blew up,” Johnson said.

The new City Club project is expected to sweep away that blighted legacy. Holtzman said the development will attract a “creative class” of younger and older residents seeking a vibrant, walkable environment.

Work already is underway on the City Club apartment project that includes the historic Midwest Hotel.

Its amenities were described as “resort” style with 24/7 concierge, a wine bar, hot tub, lounge, boutique hotel-style lobby, outdoor gourmet kitchen and even a “Zen Garden” with a water feature.

The developer said it has lease commitments with a local restaurant and wine bar with outdoor and rooftop dining, a specialty market and several local retailers expanding in the market.

And while it’s being marketed as a luxury project, the developer has set aside 20 percent of the units to be affordable.

Holtzman expected the development to begin accepting reservations in about six months and the first occupants and retailers to begin moving in Fall 2019. MW Builders is the contractor, BKV Group/Site Design is the designer.

Don’t miss any downtown news, sign up for our weekly CityScene KC email review here.