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Now that the showhouse tour days are over, this year’s remodeled Symphony Designer Showhouse (above) at 5833 Ward Parkway is for sale at just under $2 million with Julie  McLarney of the Mitchell Group at Reece & Nichols. McLarney (below at the backyard pool and fountain) said interest in the home is high, especially because of the historic nature of the property.

The brick colonial was built in 1922 for Elizabeth Smith, widow of William Smith, an early investor in Kansas City and president of the city’s first cable car line. Later, the widow of Daniel Green Saunders Jr., who owned the D.G. Saunders Lumber Co., moved there. By 1940, the icon of Kansas City mills, J. Kinney Moore, owned the home. Below, the home’s remodeled, grand entryway and staircase.

The home boasts three floors of living space, a remodeled kitchen and a carriage house. A three-car garage with a portico links to the home, built to match the original house, down to the slate tiles. Below, a sitting room looks out over Ward Parkway. For more information about the home, call McLarney at 816-304-6545.

Stats help put today’s market in perspective

Although the economy is soft and consumer confidence remains low, new data from the National Association of Realtors shows positive signs for the future. Here are 10 key facts to understand about today’s market.

1. The economy is growing, though slowly.
2. The private sector is finally creating some jobs.
3. Consumer confidence remains low, though clearly off bottom.
4. The 30-year mortgage rate is at generational lows.

5. The national median-home price is stabilizing.
6. Other home-price measurements also are showing price stabilization.
7. Home price-to-income ratios have returned to fundamentally justifiable levels.
8. Economists expect price increases in upcoming years.
9. Delinquencies are high but recent loan originations are performing well.
10. The long-term path to self reliance may be helped from long-term housing-wealth gains.

New Buckley Court townhomes shine in old downtown Overland Park

Sales are moving along at Buckley Court, the new townhome community in downtown Overland Park near 78th and Conser streets. John Foudray with Reece & Nichols, director of the project, said, “Buckley Court offers the perfect blend of location, luxury, lifestyle and low operating costs.  This project was created for people who wanted to drive less, live in a quality, luxurious home, and have lower, long-term maintenance and energy costs.” He said being downtown Overland Park’s first urban redevelopment project allows residents to enjoy the superb architecture, peaceful neighborhood, proximity to downtown shops and restaurants while living in a quality, brand-new home. The townhome contractor was Neighbors Construction Company, Inc., project manager Ryan Neighbors; the Architectural Firm was Gastinger, Walker, Hardin Architects, lead architect Steve McGuire ; and the landscape architect was Mike Ashley and Associates, designer Mike Ashley.

Buckley Court has three available floor plans: a two-bedroom, two-bathroom reverse 1 1/2-story plan with a detached two-car garage and the master suite on the first level; and two others with three levels of finished space with two bedrooms (a third bedroom is optional) and two bathrooms on the upper level. The lower level features a family room and storage room.  Prices start at $275,000. Provided maintenance includes lawn care and landscaping, trash service, snow removal, exterior building maintenance and building insurance. For information, call Foudray at 913-915-8009 or go to www.BuckleyCourt.com. Below, a kitchen at Buckley Court.

Kansas City-based 360 Architecture continues to be an innovator both at home and worldwide

H&R Block Headquarters

Story by Katy Ryan

Despite numerous challenges presented by the troublesome economy, 360 Architecture is pursuing several projects—both within the United States and abroad—thanks to a successful combination of what principal David Rezac identifies as streamlined business practices and a solid foundation.

“Just like other companies, we have had to run our business leaner and smarter,” he says. “We are very strategic in our project pursuits and marketing efforts. The competition is much stronger today because everyone is chasing everything, whether it is in their wheelhouse or not. We are relying on our business foundation, core values and diversity of project types to help us through this stretch.”

A significant benefit to 360 Architecture’s business practices is the firm’s ability to pursue a number of diverse projects, resulting in a breadth of experience that includes adaptive reuse, civic and government, restaurant, sports, residential, mixed-use and higher education designs.

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza

“People are often surprised when they hear about our diverse range of projects,” Rezac says. “Our projects include H&R Block World Headquarters, Boulevard Brewery, Kansas City Power & Light District, Synergy Services, Heartland Community Church, Sprint Center arena, JE Dunn headquarters, the T-Bones stadium, Valencia Place, the IRS Complex, SPIN! restaurant, Kauffman Foundation renovations, Lathrop & Gage, Sunset Drive Office Building and many more.”

One of the company’s newer projects, the K-State Olathe Innovation Campus, is “currently under construction and will be open in the spring of 2011,” Rezac says. “That project will attract people from around the globe interested in protecting the world’s food supply and promoting animal health.”

The K-State Olathe Innovation Campus is just one example of how successful architectural design can create a symbiotic relationship with the building’s functionality, a connection that benefits not only the individual property but also that building’s larger industry. That sort of convergence is something that Rezac identifies as one of the biggest changes impacting the design and construction industry as companies continue to move forward.

K-State Olathe Innovation Campus

“The architectural, engineering and construction industry has come together in the last couple of years in new and compelling ways,” he says. “The three things most responsible for this convergence are sustainability, technology, and project delivery methods. Clients and projects are demanding an integrated approach to achieve efficiencies and better end-product.”

Rezac is careful to point out that these practices aren’t merely “industry trends;” instead, they’re “methodologies and proven processes that deliver a smarter, more holistic project. It is very exciting to see the changes occur right in front of us, and to be in the forefront of this evolution.”

As a testament to 360 Architecture’s wide range of architectural abilities, the company is pursuing international projects that illustrate the company’s foundation while allowing for an expansion into new markets. The sports group is the master planner and lead architect for Basra Sports City, a new 360-acre mixed-use complex that the Iraqi government is building as the host location for the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations soccer tournament.

This sort of flexibility in pursuing and completing projects is one of 360 Architecture’s greatest assets, as it allows both individuals—and the company—opportunities to remain involved in projects that are both meaningful and significant, regardless of the individual budget.

Power & Light District

“It is very rewarding to have the flexibility to be able to work on a $5,000 project or a $500 million project and still deliver a quality product,” Rezac says.

Rezac has spent more than two decades with 360 Architecture, an impressive tenure that began with a six-month contract position in 1989.

“When I graduated from Kansas State University, the economy was almost as bad as it is now,” he says. “Jim Calcara and Marvin Manlove took a chance. Thankfully, the economy started to improve and a couple of projects came in that allowed me to stay and become full-time.”

Rezac says he “was always challenged, and given roles and responsibilities that allowed me to grow as a professional and understand the business of architecture.” That sort of team environment, which allows employees to learn and grow as they move through the process of each project, is one of many reasons Rezac declares 360 Architecture “a great place to work.”

He is not alone in his assessment. Based on a confidential survey of employees, Rezac notes, 360 Architecture was named by the Kansas City Business Journal as a finalist for the 2010 Best Places to Work award.

360 Architecture is headquartered in Kansas City, and also maintains offices in Dallas, San Francisco and Columbus.

Images courtesy of 360 Architecture

Kennedy Associates has received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the Lighton Plaza Buildings (above) owned by Multi-Employer Property Trust as a part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Volume Pilot program. This LEED EB: O&M certification is awarded to existing buildings for maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. “The Lighton Plaza Buildings have demonstrated tremendous environmental stewardship through its LEED EB: O&M certification,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Furthering the accomplishment, Lighton Plaza is a leading example of the importance of greening the existing building stock, which is among the most environmentally responsible actions we can take.” The Lighton Plaza Buildings are the three of the five Class A office buildings to receive LEED EB: O&M certification in Overland Park, Kan., and part of only the second LEED EB: O&M volume certification nationally. The buildings were judged on requirements in areas of site, energy, water, waste, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

“The Lighton Plaza Building’s LEED certification is a significant achievement and a reflection of the commitment of the building’s ownership and property management team to sustainable property operations and maintenance; a best practice in today’s market,” stated Mike McKee, CEO of Kennedy Associates. “We have achieved Silver certification for Lighton Plaza cost-effectively, providing its tenants a more sustainable, operationally efficient and healthy place to do business.” Kennedy Associates in partnership with CB Richard Ellis implemented multiple sustainable actions on behalf of MEPT to achieve Silver certification including:

• Achieved an ENERGY STAR rating of 84 at Lighton Plaza I, 87 at Lighton Plaza II and 88 at Lighton Tower, making, them eligible for the ENERGY STAR Label and demonstrating greater energy efficiency than the national average.
• Implemented water efficiency measures that reduced water consumption.
• Implemented sustainability policies and plans covering green cleaning, purchasing, waste management, water efficiency, site management, lighting, and pest management among others.
• Developed proprietary technical assistance tools and education/training modules.

Straub Construction receives three Capstone Awards

Straub Construction, now celebrating its 90^th anniversary, recently received three Capstone Awards for enhancing the KC community with quality construction and real estate. Above, Straub Construction President Ernie Straub III and Straub Construction Executive VP and COO Parker Young were presented the awards by event sponsor Walton Construction COO Dennis Thompson and KCBJ Publisher Joyce Hayhow.

No other company received three awards, so Straub was more than pleased with this accomplishment!  Winning projects included mixed-use Phoenix Building in Overland Park, plus two multi-family projects including Hyde Park Apartments in Kansas City, Mo., and Northeast Junior High Place senior living in Kansas City, Kan. Each project was completed in 2009. Straub Construction Company is a general contractor located in Shawnee. This is the fifth year the Capstone Awards program has recognized projects including real estate development, design, construction, and transactions that enhance the metro area. Straub Construction and its project teams have been recognized with Capstone Awards for the past four consecutive years.

This spring the Straub Construction team was also presented an Excellence in Construction award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) for the Phoenix Building project.  Located in downtown Overland Park, this building is a three-story development project designed by Incite Design and is located on the former site of the Gil Rumsey Art Gallery. The Phoenix Building is stylish, yet crafted to blend seamlessly with the existing historic area.

This appraiser knows his golf

We caught up recently with CB Richard Ellis’ Chris Williams, MAI, who was just promoted to managing director of valuation and advisory services in Kansas City. He joined CBRE in 2007 as a senior appraiser, bringing with him more than 13 years of real estate appraisal and consulting experience in property types including office buildings, retail, residential subdivisions, industrial, condominiums, golf courses and mixed-use developments.  He will continue to be the regional expert and coordinator for golf course valuations and consulting as well. His new role enables him to do two things he really loves: First, working closer with staff to ensure a quality service/product is produced.  “Teaching and training people something you love to do is always a privilege,” he said.  Second, he gets to market his services to lenders, developers, brokers, REIT’s and attorneys.  “In general, I get to meet and discuss real estate with market participants on a daily basis,” he said.

“I help officiate the real estate world,” Williams said. “That includes review of all appraisals that go out the door from the Kansas City office.  I market our expertise in valuation, consulting and appraisal assignments within our territory, region and nationally.  Training our less experienced staff and assisting veteran staff with tougher appraisal assignments.  I am the golf valuation leader for the South Central Region, which includes all golf course appraisal and consulting assignments in the region. A father of three, he’s an avid golfer and coaches his daughter’s softball team along with his wife. A huge college basketball fan, he’s typically watching the officials more than the game!