Construction Completes on First Mixed-Use Loft-Lifestyle Building in Union Hill Neighborhood with Opening of McGee Building

Second Stone Crafted Platinum Lifestyle Building, Modeled After Chicago’s Lincoln Park, is Part of New Multi-Million Development Phase

KANSAS CITY, MO. (Nov. 11, 2014) – Union Hill announces the final construction phases of the McGee Building at 2980 Gillham Road. The building continues the neighborhood’s master plan, adding the first true loft-style living option to the neighborhood, as well as 4,325-18,000 square feet of mixed-use retail space.

Rendering of McGee Building

The McGee Building is an evolved loft, adding balconies and terraces with contemporary interiors. Designed to complement the historic integrity of the Union Hill neighborhood, the McGee building features brick masonry, stone accents and private covered parking with elevators leading directly into the building with a key card.

The building is named for Allan B.H. McGee, one of the Kansas City’s earliest settlers and one of the 14 original purchasers of the old Prudhomme Estate, the original townsite of Kansas City. Each of Union Hill’s residential buildings is named for a Kansas City founder buried in nearby Union Cemetery.

With 56 units, The McGee building brings a traditional loft experience to the16-block district that already includes dining, entertainment, services and green space with the benefits of urban living. To ensure the historic integrity of Union Hill employed several unique elements in the building’s construction, Local craftsman Jim Drew is integrating reclaimed timber furniture into the building lobby and a gallery of rotating art will showcase in the first-floor lobby. In addition, the first-of-its-kind rainwater cistern captures runoff from the neighborhood to handle irrigation of the nearly $1.2 million in streetscaping surrounding the buildings.

A second Loft Lifestyle building, the McCoy, is under development at 3020 Gillham, scheduled to open summer 2015, along with an additional Platinum Lifestyle building, the Campbell at 3000 Gillham.  Recently, the Taylor (230 East 30^th Street) and Ragan (300 East 30^th Street) buildings opened as part of Union Hill’s Platinum Lifestyle collection. The buildings’ design and construction drew inspiration from Chicago’s storied Lincoln Park. The new Platinum and Loft Lifestyle options add nearly 200 new apartment home units to the active neighborhood. The new buildings are the second phase of the Founders development with the newest Platinum and Loft additions labeled Founders Phase Two. Founders Phase One debuted in 2006 with the construction of 227 Platinum and Classic Lifestyle apartment homes in the area, coupled with the redevelopment of the historic Greenlease Cadillac Building into condominiums. Total, the Union Hill neighborhood is home to more than 1,000 young professionals, empty-nesters and single-families residing in condominiums, apartment homes and single-family homes.

The McGee Building street front retail is part of the 55,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and professional space available or under development in addition to the existing buinesses in Union Hill. The neighborhood already includes more than 23 businesses with local and uniquely dining and retail destinations. The neighborhood is also home to the award-winning Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. Costco and Home Depot are in Union Hill’s backyard.

Overlooking Crown Center, Union Hill is near major employers, including Hallmark Cards, the fully-leased Union Station, multiple major law firms, the Federal Reserve and Children’s Mercy Hospital. A short walk from the Crossroads Arts District, Union Hill preserves history and embraces the future of Kansas City with the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, downtown Kansas City and Country Club Plaza as nearby neighbors.

Union Hill is a true urban neighborhood that is privately-maintained and master-developed in 16 city blocks nestled between Main Street on the west, Gillham Road on the east, the 31^st Street corridor on the south and approximately 27^th Street on the south.

Local ownership, development, management and leadership ensure the success and stability of Union Hill as a neighborhood with dining, entertainment, services and green space. The restoration and redevelopment of Union Hill began 30 years ago with developer Bob Frye’s vision and commitment to build on the history of the 150-year-old neighborhood.

McGee Building Features

• Inspired by classic brick architecture of traditional loft buildings
• True, urban loft design with studio, one and two bedrooms that include den options
• 56 units
• Hard-wired for all technology, including Google Fiber
• Union Hill offices are staffed seven days a week to assist residents with package delivery, property services and leasing questions.
• Balconies, unique to area lofts
• Walk-in kitchen pantry
• Tiled bathrooms with walk-in linen closet
• Private garage parking and keycard access entries with security cameras
• Storage available in each building
• On-site management, 24-hour emergency maintenance
• Access to private resident state-of-the-art Union Hill Athletic Club
• First floor retail
• Priced from $850 – $1,510

About Union Hill

Established in 1857, Union Hill is one of Kansas City’s oldest continuous neighborhoods with more than 1000 young professionals, established mobile mid-career and active empty nesters. Union Hill is a true urban neighborhood, spanning more than 16 city blocks nestled between Main Street on the west, Gillham Road on the east, the 31^st Street corridor on the south and approximately 27^th Street on the south. Overlooking Crown Center and the downtown skyline, the Union Hill district offers convenient living surrounded by green space, dining, arts, entertainment, fitness and some of Kansas City’s major employers. Bob Frye leads the overall development, preservation and advancement of Union Hill with a more than 30-year history of ownership and solid development that buildis on 150 years of history with a long term vision and commitment to the neighborhood. Kansas City’s history is embraced throughout the district. For more information, visit www.unionhill.com or follow the latest at on www.facebook.com/unionhillkc,  @UHILLKC on Twitter and Instagram or call 816-777-5900.