‘A vacation that never ends’ describes new 55-plus community

Liberty at Shoal Creek is a new construction, luxury rental apartment home development for the 55 and better community that is more than halfway to completion at the southeast corner of NE 82nd Terrace and North Farley Avenue, just west of Liberty.

The LSC development takes living for the active 55-plus community to a whole new level. The grand opening set for late December 2016 can’t come soon enough for the nearly 50 folks who have already reserved their new home at this one-of-a-kind community.

The innovative concept for Liberty at Shoal Creek is the brainchild of Kansas City developer Mike Rainen, president of Rainen Cos., and developer and owner of many other Kansas City condominium and rental apartment communities for the full range of young adults to those in retirement.

“It’s a new approach to residential living for the 55 and better community,” Rainen said.

Melissa Merkys, who is leading the lease-up of Liberty at Shoal Creek, said, “We want to give our Northland residents an unparalleled living experience that provides them with a fun, carefree, social and active lifestyle, along with a beautiful place to call home.”

The first phase will comprise 185 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The homes will include luxury finishes in every unit, such as granite counters, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, full size washers and dryers, vaulted ceilings, balconies or walk-out patios, energy-efficient windows, Nest thermostats that residents can regulate from their smartphones, and much more. All units will be cable ready and accessible to the internet. With eight different floor plans to choose from and prices starting at $1,175 and parking garages for those who want them, every resident should be able to find an apartment home that meets their needs.

Liberty at Shoal Creek will provide amenities that are beyond compare, at the same time integrating services available in the Shoal Creek community to meet every resident’s desires. Those amenities include a year-round indoor pool and spa, a 3,000 square-foot community room with a chef’s demonstration kitchen, a Tavern Room equipped with simulated golf, a movie theater perfect for movie nights, a state-of-the-art fitness center, music rooms for residents to practice in or listen to music, a library, an outdoor bocce ball court, and an arts and crafts room, among others.

LSC is working in the community to arrange for fitness experts, health care workers, dry cleaning and laundry services, chefs to perform cooking demonstrations, literary speakers, and more to come to Liberty at Shoal Creek, as well as to make arrangements for residents to go to performances, classes or hear speakers at William Jewel College, and to golf courses, sporting and theatrical events and more outside of the development. Residents can also volunteer at such places as the elementary school directly across Farley Avenue to the west.

Residents will find endless activities all within the community in which they live – book clubs, community gardening, card clubs and happy hours with assistance from a full-time activities coordinator, as well as a friendly atmosphere in which to socialize with others as often as they choose, and easy ways to fit into the Shoal Creek community outside of the development.

“Liberty at Shoal Creek is not just a place to live, it’s a chance to live the life you’ve earned,” said Merkys. “Everyone is excited about Liberty at Shoal Creek 55 and better luxury living because it is a concept that is missing in the Northland. We fill that void between giving up home ownership and retirement living. Many of the retirement communities provide services you don’t need or an environment you are not quite ready for.”

Once Rainen developed the concept, he was steadfast in identifying and choosing a location that could satisfy all of the on-site and community objectives he had in mind. He felt this was a prime spot that would appeal to the active 55 and better community because of the close proximity to restaurants, shops, entertainment areas, educational and health care facilities, the ease of access to highways, and a beautiful location. The front door of Liberty at Shoal Creek is located at 8800 NE 82nd St., in Kansas City, just off highway 152 between Booth and Flintlock and just behind the new Sprouts market and the Mosaic Life Care Shoal Creek facility.

This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 12:08 AM with the headline "‘A vacation that never ends’ describes new 55-plus community."