Origin KC, New $30M Hotel Planned for Berkley Riverfront

By Kevin Collison

A Mississippi hotel developer is in final negotiations with Port KC to open the first hotel on the downtown riverfront, a $30 million project called Origin KC that would be located across from Berkley Park.

The Thrash Group of Hattiesburg intends to open the sixth boutique hotel in its Origin group, a concept that emphasizes additional fitness facilities for its guests in what’s  described as a “lifestyle action brand.”

“We have a 22-acre park and river out our front door,” said Ike Thrash, owner of the firm. “We’re much more about being outside, and being active and healthy.”

Thrash has been in negotiations with Port KC for the 120-room hotel project for the last 16 months, a process that was slowed by the Covid pandemic.

The Port KC board approved the transfer of the one-acre site east of the existing Union apartment complex in May.

The Origin KC is being proposed for Parcel 3A and a mid-rise apartment project is in the works for Parcel 12B on riverfront property owned by Port KC. (Map by Port KC)

The other Origin hotels are the Red Rocks near Denver; Lexington, KY; Raleigh, NC; Westminster, CO, and a project scheduled to be completed this year in Austin.

The Origin KC will be a full-service hotel with a restaurant and bar in addition to its fitness facilities. The hotel website said the restaurant will offer to-go catering services to people wanting to picnic at Berkley, and large outdoor seating area in its courtyard.

The hotel plans to create local partnerships with fitness-centric businesses to promote even more options for our guests such as fitness classes, yoga, and park workouts, according to the website.

The Origin KC also will be a part of the Wyndham group as part of partnership between the Origin Hotel brand. Wyndham plans to invest $1.25 million in the project.

A ‘massing’ rendering of the Origin KC planned for the downtown riverfront. (Rendering from The Thrash Group)

Thrash said construction could begin on the five-story hotel in eight- to nine months.

The Origin KC would be the latest project in a new boom in investment in Port KC property along the riverfront.

The 410-unit Union Berkley Apartments was completed in 2018 and construction is well underway on the 348-unit CORE apartment project being built by Northpoint Development.

Port KC also is in negotiations with an undisclosed developer for a mid-rise apartment project with 250- to 300 apartments.

In addition to the residential developments, Bar K, a dog park, bar and cafe, has found a large audience and a new public recreation center, cafe and bar to be operated by Bar + Rec is planned for the center of Berkley Park by the sand volleyball courts.