Copaken Brooks Starts Work on Crossroads Apartment Tower

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The 14-story Copaken Brooks project will add a dynamic new element to the downtown skyline. (Image from Copaken Brooks and Burns & McDonnell)

Construction of a 14-story apartment tower called REVERB at 18th and Walnut kicked off Monday, according to a release from Copaken Brooks.

The $40 million project, first reported last June by CityScene KC, is expected to be completed in the summer of 2020. Copaken Brooks said local engineering firm Burns & McDonnell will partner to design and build the project.

“This is an exciting time for new construction in the Crossroads,” Jon Copaken, principal at
Copaken Brooks, said in a statement.

“As downtown continues to grow and evolve, this new project will bring a unique but aligning identity to one of Kansas City’s fastest growing neighborhood for arts, entertainment, living and dining.”

Last month, Copaken Brooks opened ARTerra, a 12-story apartment building at 2100 Wyandotte in the Crossroads.

A team led by Trevor Hoiland of Burns & McDonnell designed the building, according to a release announcing the groundbreaking. Eric Wyancko of Copaken Brooks is the project manager.

This parking lot at 18th and Walnut will be replaced by a 14-story apartment tower. The Corrigan Station office building is in background.

“To shape the skyline of the Crossroads, it needs to be special,” Hoiland said in a statement.

“The building’s design is about an action and a reaction — a reverberation of form and a shift in apartment living. We really focused on how the tenants will live in the apartment units, which are very open and flexible, allowing for a multitude of furniture layouts.

“The design connects with the street life in the area and complements the arts district.”

Copaken Brooks originally had planned to begin work on the project in November.

The building will contain 132 units atop a two-story, above ground parking garage. With a commitment to make the housing economical for renters, 10 percent of the units will meet Kansas City’s affordability standards, according to the release.

An additional 2,000 square feet of retail/other commercial space will be located on the ground level, including space for food trucks outside and a sidewalk park.

Perched above the apartment units will be a penthouse level with a public, rooftop bar and a private outdoor terrace and lounge.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Interesting design. I like it.

    I love checking this site on all the development going on since I don’t live in KC anymore (almost 25 years now). I remember a Star article showing side by side maps of 1930s/1990s downtown and the number of buildings that had been lost to parking lots. Would be interesting same and 1990s compared to now and the number of empty lots that have been filled back in.

    All the hub bub is very exciting to see because I’m not in town enough to see it all for myself. When I am back seeing what’s popped up just blows my mind. As a twenty-something living in Quality Hill in the late 80’s and early 90’s I could only dream downtown would ever turn out like this, and I always did. I even left because it didn’t and never seemed it would. Now jealous as my life keeps me away from my moving back to my hometown which I’d be totally open to, after a couple of decades of absolutely not. Love KC!

    • As a 20 something living here now, the question of whether or not I should move away is constant. There is a serious disparity between wages and rent for these new apartments downtown, and the 10% “affordable” apartments are tiny studios. I’d love to honestly consider a future here, but that dream is beginning to evaporate.

      • I think Wichita is still pretty affordable, and maybe Springfield, MO. as well. You may want to explore those places for more affordable downtown housing. Hopefully you can find something here though.

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