Courtyard by Marriott Renovations - Phase Two
Cost - Approximately $1 Million
Updates to the 128-room hotel's design and color schemes will commence in the fourth quarter 2013 as well as a refresh to the meeting spaces. This is the second phase of a two-phase renovation. Previously the lobby and guest areas were renovated and completed in February 2013.
Union Station
Cost - N/A
Recently announced was the sale of the Wichita Historic train station, Union Station, which includes the historic Rock Island depot and baggage facility and the former Wichita Grand Hotel. Plans to transform Union Station into a multimillion-dollar destination attraction, include retail, restaurants and potentially hospitality and office space.
WaterWalk Apartments
Project Cost - $8.5 - 9 Million
The proposed 4.4 acre WaterWalk Apartments are located adjacent to the Wichita Ice Center, on the Southwest corner of Maple and McLean. The two proposed four-story buildings will include 134 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. This $8.5 - 9 Million project is scheduled to be completed in 2014.
Commodore Apartments
Project Cost - $5.9 Million
The Commodore Apartment project will renovate an existing Wichita landmark at the corner of Elm and Broadway, just North of Central Avenue. The property is being refurbished by Garrison Community Development LLC and will take advantage of historic tax credits for the restoration. Upon completion, the proposed project will offer a total of 58 apartments including 17 studio units, 26 one-bedroom units, and 15 two-bedroom apartment units. The apartments will be made available exclusively to persons over the age of 55. On-site amenities will include laundry facilities, a community room and a computer lab.
Corner 365
Cost – N/A
Garvey Center owner, Builders Inc, will be constructing 36 new apartments at the corner of First and Waco. Tenant parking will be within the Garvey Center’s existing garage. This new project will dramatically transform the prominent intersection and will be a catalyst for further development along the First Street corridor. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.
The LUX
Cost - $20 Million
The LUX is the redevelopment of the former Kansas Gas & Electric Building. The project will be a mixed-use development offering office, residential and luxury terraces overlooking the City's skyline. Scheduled to open fall 2013, The LUX is poised to develop a unique sense of community and place in Downtown Wichita while keeping true to the building's original 1950's character.
The first and second floors of the seven story building will cater to businesses while the top five floors house apartments and condos - totaling 72 units. The LUX boasts countless amenities that will deliver the thrill of big-city living with the security of a close-knit community. Rooftop amenities include a cocktail pool, a rooftop garden, a playground for children and a lounge and exercise room. Unit amenities include washer and dryer, unique energy-efficient lighting and walkout patios (in some units).
Kansas Leadership Center and Kansas Health Foundation Conference Center at Block One
Cost - $9 Million
The Kansas Health Foundation is expanding their current Douglas Avenue offices to include approximately 36,000 square feet of meeting rooms and headquarters space for the Kansas Leadership Center. Construction commenced in 2012 and will be completed in the summer of 2013. This is the first new construction along the core of Douglas Avenue in approximately 38 years.
Douglas Avenue - Streetscape Development
Cost - $6 Million
In 2011, the City approved a new plan, led by community input, for transit and streetscape improvements along the core of Douglas Avenue. Phase One design, led by the team of Law Kingdon, PEC and Gardner Design, will focus on the addition of transit shelters, added streetscape amenities and improved pedestrian way finding. The improvements will be focused on Douglas from Main to Washington Streets. Phase One funding of $1.3 million has been secured and work will commence in the second quarter of 2013.
Douglas Avenue/Market Street
Cost - N/A
An investment group purchased three key Downtown sites; a development site located on Douglas Avenue (between Market and Main), the other on Market Street – 62,910 square foot Board of Trade Building and previous Merrill Lynch Building at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Market. The investment group is finalizing their development concepts with an anticipated announcement in 2013.
Wichita WaterWalk
Cost - $68 Million (to date investment)
The WaterWalk project is creating a new destination for Downtown Wichita. The project offers commercial space, residential, plazas and gardens, destination retail/restaurant locations and direct connectivity to the Arkansas River. In November 2009, the first residents of WaterWalk Place moved into the condominiums. Other commercial developments such as Gander Mountain, the headquarters for the Wichita Area Association of Realtors and the WaterWalk Fairfield Inn have been completed.
Exchange Place and Bitting Buildings
Cost - Approximately $65 Million
The project will retrofit the Exchange Place and Bitting Buildings to offer 230 residential units on Douglas Avenue. The development will incorporate a new 273-space parking garage, office and retail space. The Wichita City Council unanimously approved the developer's agreement Tuesday, December 18 and construction is scheduled to commence in summer of 2013. This approximately $60 Million project will continue the revitalization of the Douglas Avenue corridor.
William Street 2-Way Conversion
Cost – $375,000
The improvements from Main to Emporia include converting William Street from a one-way west-bound street to a two-way street providing one lane in each direction. The pavement will be improved as necessary and will be restriped to allow for two-way traffic. The project will also include replacing the wheelchair ramps and modifications to the traffic signals. Construction is to be completed in 2013.
CoBank
Date Completed – March 2013
Cost - $800,000
CoBank celebrated its merger with Wichita-based US AgBank by investing over three-quarters of a million dollars in interior renovations. The 257,000 square-foot building (also known as the Farm Credit Bank Building) is one of Downtown Wichita’s largest Class A office buildings set on the East bank of the Arkansas River.
Courtyard by Marriott Renovations - Phase One
Date Completed – March 2013
Cost - $900,000
The 128-room Courtyard by Marriott, located at 820 E. 2nd Street in Old Town, completed a major renovation of it's lobby and other public guest areas. The goal of the renovation was to create an area where guests can get out of their room and socialize with other guests. A new bistro, named Table 820, along with a Starbucks service station were also included in the renovations. This was the first of two renovations planned for the hotel. Additional renovations to the hotel's design and color schemes will commence in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The Catholic Diocese – St. Mary Cathedral
Date Completed – December 2012
Cost - $16 Million
The Catholic Diocese restored the historic St. Mary's Cathedral located at Broadway and Central. The renovations included restoring the 105 foot dome and incorporating additional lighting to highlight its architectural details. All buildings on the campus are now connected by a new covered structure, which serves as a new gathering space. The renovations and construction were completed early 2013 to celebrate the Cathedral's 100-year anniversary.
Wichita Executive Center
Cost – $1.2 Million (to date investment)
Previously the SC Telecom building, the project offers quality office space in Downtown Wichita.
Player Piano Lofts
Date Completed – December 2012
Cost - $4 Million
Old Town developer Dave Burk renovated the Player Piano building, a 36-unit apartment project, in the 700 block of East Douglas. This beautiful 5-story brick building formerly housed the world's largest supplier of materials for rebuilding and repairing antique player pianos, organs, and coin operated musical instruments. The project introduces 36 two-bedroom and one-bedroom apartments ranging from 410-885 square feet in the six-level structure. The 33,000-square-foot building was built in 1901 and has desirable features such as large wood columns, wood beams and floors with exposed exterior brick walls and 16-foot ceilings on the first and second floors.
Ambassador Hotel at Block One
Date Completed – December 2012
Cost - $23 Million
A development team renovated the historic 14-story Douglas Avenue Building into a 117-room Boutique Hotel. Bright and spacious, with expansive windows overlooking the city of Wichita, the hotel’s rooms and suites represent a showcase of luxury boutique accommodations at its pinnacle. This historic building is located at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Broadway.
Urban Plaza at Block One
Date Completed – December 2012
Cost - $800,000
The City of Wichita has constructed a new urban plaza that connects the new Block One Parking Garage and the historic Ambassador Hotel. The block’s alley has been redesigned to make it more compatible for pedestrians and vehicles, as well as enhancing Downtown’s mid-block pedestrian circulation. The mosaic public art is titled “Bravely Serene.”
Block One Parking Garage
Date Completed – December 2012
Cost - $6 Million
The City of Wichita constructed a parking garage with 270 spaces and 8,400 square feet of retail space facing William Street (at 360 E. William) to accommodate the new Ambassador Hotel, Kansas Leadership Center and the general public.
Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA
Date Completed - December 2012
Cost - $27 Million
The Greater Wichita YMCA constructed a new 110,000 sq. ft. Downtown location that houses the organization's corporate offices as well as a new state of the art work-out and activity facility. The project developed approximately three-fourths of a city block adjacent to City Hall and the Federal and Sedgwick County Courthouses. The new facility is expected to serve 30,000 people throughout the area. There are more than 103,000 residents within a three-mile radius of the new Downtown YMCA location. The Greater Wichita YMCA serves more than 265,000 kids and adults.
Pixius Communications
Date Completed - December 2012
Cost - Approximately $3.2 Million
Pixius completed construction of their new headquarters at 301 N. St. Francis Street. Pixius Communications is an innovative, growing company uniquely positioned to provide a wide range of data communication solutions to business and residential markets in rural areas.
The Fountains at WaterWalk
Date Comopleted - October 2012
Project Budget - $1.6 Million
Lights. Liquid. Music. Magic. The Fountains at WaterWalk are 150 feet long and located East of Gander Mountain. Three daily shows are offered at 12:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. from April through December. Each show incorporates beautiful music, colorful lights and moving water in a synchronized display. The music alternates between different genres, including country, classic rock, classical, ’80s rock and holiday songs. The Fountains at WaterWalk are a new destination for Wichitans and visitors to our Downtown.
The Renfro
Date Completed - October 2012
Cost - $1.8 Million
The Renfro is part of the East Douglas Avenue Historic District. It was built in 1908 as the Layle Hotel and later became the Renfro Hotel. The city then purchased the building and remodeled it, naming it Victoria Park Apartments.
Located at 612 E. Douglas Avenue, The Renfro offers 20 residential units with two ground floor commercial spaces that offer the option of a live/work setting. The live-work units have first and second floor entrances and spiral staircases.
The Renfro also offers more traditional layouts, including three studios, two 2-bedroom units and nine 1-bedroom units. One living space has a glass block wall, while another has an open and close freight door to invite the outside environment in. The units are equipped with electric high-efficiency heating & cooling systems, designed to use only the exact amount of energy needed to cool or heat the unit's area.
Commerce Street Residential Project
Date Completed – August 2012
Cost - $500,000
Located at 416 S. Commerce Street, the Commerce Street Lofts project was completed in August of 2012 and is a mixed-use two-story development (retail/office first floor - residential on the second). Located in the Commerce Street Arts District, the four two-bedroom units feature exposed brick and great views of Downtown Wichita. All kitchens have granite counters and stainless steel appliances, and beautiful wooden floors span the living room/ kitchen area. Industrial staircases are in every unit in the building as well as in the common areas.
Howerton+White Expansion & Renovation
Date Completed – August 2012
Project Budget - $600,000
Located at 520 E. Douglas, Howerton+White’s 3,000-foot expansion provided much needed space for staff, which has grown from 4 to 21 employees in just six years. The Classical Revival two-story building was built by the Stites brothers in 1889, just two years after the opening of the Carey House (the Eaton Hotel). The remodeled first and second floors is now a very open, functional space for the agency and includes a new staircase and a 30-foot stainless steel slide to connect the two floors.
St. Francis Streetscape Improvements
Date Completed - June 2012
Cost - $2.3 Million
The City of Wichita reconstructed St. Francis Street from Douglas Avenue to 2nd Street. This streetscape transformation converted the existing one-way configuration to two-way and also provides angled parking. In addition to improved infrastructure, the streetscape improvements added amenities such as street trees, new lighting, benches and decorative pavers. The revitalized streetscape provides an important pedestrian connection between the INTRUST Bank Arena and Old Town.
Bite Me BBQ
Date Completed - April 2012
Cost - $500,000
Bite-Me-Bar-B-Q purchased 130 N. St. Francis and opened their restaurant in the second quarter of 2012.
Open Door
Date Completed March 2012
Cost - $5.4 Million
Open Door consolidated many of its services at it’s new spacious location at 402 E. 2nd St. The United Methodist’s new center houses the former Drop-In-Center and Klothes Kloset which serves a large portion of Wichita’s citizens in need.
Zelman’s Building
Date Completed – December 2011
Cost – estimated $1.7 Million
Located at the corner of St. Francis and Douglas Avenue, this project converted an historic structure to have nine residential units (6 studios and 3 one bedrooms) on the second floor and 4,800 sq. feet of retail/restaurant space on the first floor.
J.P. Weigand and Sons Realtors
Date Completed – January 2012
Cost - $500,000
J.P. Weigand and Sons, Inc renovated their Downtown Corporate Office at 150 N. Market Street. Renovations include work on the new façade along with interior renovations of the three-building complex.
Hyatt Regency Wichita
Date Completed – January 2012
Cost $1.6 Million
This investment marks the final phase of a muli-phase expansion and renovation of the riverfront hotel. This phase encompassed approximately 35,000 square feet of meeting space improvements.
Sedgwick County/Rotary Foundation/Coleman
Date Completed – December 2011
Cost – Approximately $2.3 Million
This project has four public/private sector partners. Sedgwick County redeveloped the previous Coleman Warehouse site to accommodate parking for the INTRUST Bank Arena. The Downtown Rotary Club Foundation provided a new urban park celebrating their centennial year (Centennial Plaza and Rotary Time Tower) and Coleman contributed funds for a monument to commemorate Coleman's first manufacturing site. Concurrently, the City of Wichita implemented new streets and streetscape for two consecutive city blocks.
WaterWalk’s Gander Mountain Expansion
Date completed - December 2011
Gander Mountain recently completed a 7,500 square foot expansion and store remodel. The expansion incorporates a new academy and the store’s remodel includes new signage, better site lines and a better flow to the store giving guests a better overall shopping experience.
Albert Paley Sculpture Installation
Date Completed – December 2011
Cost - $350,000
The Albert Paley Sculpture, located at the NE corner of the WaterWalk development at Waterman and Main Street, is a contemporary sculpture comprised of bronze, stainless and Cor-Ten steel. The 38-foot-tall metal sculpture is an icon for Downtown and creates a sense of place with the large surrounding plaza and bosque of River Birch trees that act as a backdrop. The sweeping upward motions of the sculpture signify Wichita's aviation heritage while the earth-tone colors of the bronze and Cor-Ten steel are suggestive of the natural environment significant to our Native America Indian heritage.
Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview
Date Completed – August 2011
Cost - $29 million
Drury Southwest has completed renovations of the Historic Broadview Hotel. The hotel offers 200 guest rooms and suites, and relocates the guest entrance and check-in to face the river; the renovations also include the construction of a skywalk connecting the parking garage with the hotel. The building’s interior has been restored to reflect the historic character of the hotel.
Riverfront Improvements
Date Completed – June 2011
Cost - $2.2 million
The Riverfront Improvements between Douglas Avenue and 2nd street include venue space, pedestrian access from Waco Street and river overlook areas. This component of improvements completes the east bank improvements connecting the Keeper of the Plains and WaterWalk. The improvements also connect to the Drury Plaza Broadview Hotel.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Wichita Downtown
Date Completed – June 2011
Cost - $11.5 million
The new 131-room Marriott hotel opened in June 2011. The hotel is located on the northwest corner of Main and Dewey. The hotel opens onto the gardens of WaterWalk. The design of the hotel incorporates key design principles from Project Downtown, the Master Plan for Wichita.
Cargill Innovation Center
Date Completed – summer 2011
Cost - $14.7 million
The 75,000-square-foot Innovation Center is located on Wichita Street between 1st and 2nd. The new center houses a food service culinary center including a model commercial food kitchen so Cargill chefs can test and demonstrate to customers how their products perform. There is also a retail center of expertise which includes model home kitchens to showcase and simulate for retailers how Cargill products will work in shoppers' homes. The center also houses an analytical laboratory and small processing facility where the company can work on developing new products and technologies.
The Flats 324
Date Completed – 2010
Cost - $6 million
The Historic Wichita High School was converted into 66 market rate apartments with two unique apartments in the building’s old art and boiler rooms. The Flats opened in January 2010 and had 100% occupancy by July 2010.
Airbus
Date Completed – 2010
Cost - $1 million
Old Town developer Dave Burk bought the building at 238 N. Mead, the former Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, in February 2010 and leased it to Airbus. Airbus moved into the new facility in May 2010. With the expansion, Airbus added approximately 80 to 100 jobs in Wichita.
Finn Lofts
Date Completed – 2010
Cost - $3 million
A contemporary-design conversion of an historic warehouse, The Finn Lofts is the first residential and commercial project of this scale in the Commerce Arts District. Home to 27 sophisticated, state-of-the-art studios, 1 and 2 bedroom lots to rent and over 7,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space, The Finn Lofts are a new look in Downtown. The project was featured in the October 2011 edition of DWELL Magazine.
INTRUST Bank Arena
Date Completed – 2010
Cost - $205 million
The INTRUST Bank Arena is a modern, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue, perfect for concerts and conventions alike. Located in the heart of Downtown Wichita with trendy restaurants, shops and eclectic entertainment options nearby, the INTRUST Bank Arena is the premier arena in the Midwest. The $205 million arena features 22 suites, 40 loge boxes, 300 premium seats with a total 15,000-seat capacity and will boast the top notch sporting events and entertainment with the industry's best acoustics and sound system. The arena is managed by SMG, a world-leader in venue management and booking for more than 200 arenas worldwide.
Kansas Sports Hall of Fame/Wichita Boat House
Date Completed – 2010
Cost $500,000
Renovations to the Wichita Boat House for the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame were completed in summer 2010. The Boat House now serves as the headquarters for the Hall of Fame and offers premier event rental space.
Warren Theatre
Date Completed – 2009
Cost - $1 million
Approximately $500,000 was invested in renovations with another $500,000 allocated for the digital conversion. The new Old Town Warren features the latest in movie technology, including the high-definition digital projection and new sound systems. In addition, two auditoriums have been equipped with silver screens, allowing the showing of 3-D films. The destination averages 500,000 visitors annually.
Farmers and Bankers Building
Date Completed – 2009
Cost - $293,000
Built in 1911, the Farmers and Bankers Building located at 200 E. 1st Street underwent renovations in 2009. A new roof and new interior (paint, carpet, lighting, fixtures and furniture) and long-awaited exterior façade improvements will bring the building back to its original quality, making it a prime location for doing business in the downtown core.
Carnegie Library
Date Completed – 2009
Cost - $3.9 million
After opening more than nine decades ago, and standing vacant for nine years, the Wichita Carnegie Library Building has been carefully restored to its original glory. This magnificent Beaux Arts building was a gift to the City of Wichita from steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The lavishly detailed interiors were designed by civic cultural leader and one of Wichita's most successful women, Mrs. Louise Caldwell Murdock. The building is now the new headquarters of the Commercial Banking Division of Fidelity Bank.
Garvey Center and Apartments
Date Completed – 2007
Cost - $1.54 million
This residential project converted space formerly utilized as a hotel into apartments. The developer renovated the structure into 95 residential units.
River Corridor Improvement Project
Date Completed – 2006
Cost - $37 million
This project provides pedestrian amenities and public space along the east and west banks of the Arkansas River from the Kellogg bridge to Cowtown. The Keeper of the Plains statue raises approximately 30 feet and a set of eternal flames surrounds the statue.
Lofts at St. Francis
Date Completed – 2006
Cost - $8 million
This building was converted from an empty warehouse to plush condominiums. The development features secured parking, balconies and an excellent roof top deck with a kitchen and basketball court. The property is within a block of the Downtown arena.
Courtyard by Marriott in Old Town
Date Completed – 2006
Cost - $15 million
This project converted a two-story warehouse into a four-story hotel loaded with amenities. Located in the heart of Old Town, the property features a beautiful interior lobby, an exercise room and offers breakfast.
Grant Telegraph Centre Condominiums
Date Completed – 2005
Cost - $8.71 million
This historic building rehabilitation project cost $8.71 million and created 13 condominium units for residential use. These will be the first owner-occupied residential development project in the center city. Units range from 1,600 to 4,000 square feet. Sales price for unfinished space is $75 to $100 per square foot.
The Harvester Apartments
Date Completed – 2004
Cost - $5.7 million
This historic building rehabilitation project created 47 residential units. The development includes mixed income clients.
City Arts – Old Town
Date Completed – 2004
Cost - $3.86 million
This community arts center provides classes to learn about arts and crafts projects. The building also includes gallery space that features new exhibits on a monthly basis.
Old Town Square/Movie Theatre
Date Completed – 2003
Cost - $20 million
This project includes a 6 screen movie theater, 30,000 square feet of retail space, 60,000 square feet of office space, a public plaza with interactive fountains and a 500 space parking garage offering free parking. Original Tenants include: Warren Theatre, Imbass Grill, Old Chicago, Best Cleaners, Andy’s Woods and Crafts, Zyng Noodlery, Old Town General Store, Lucinda’s, Muse E Yum and Uptown Grill. Old Town celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2011.
Old Town Square Parking Garage
Date Completed – 2003
Cost - $7.2 million
This facility includes 500 parking spaces that are free for public use. The ground floor space facing the plaza contains a number of shops and restaurants.
