Architects moving to Crossroads district, adding jobs

Generator Studio, a Kansas City architectural firm, is moving to the Crossroads district and plans to add jobs.

The company is moving from 5300 Belleview Ave. into 2,000 square feet at 1701 McGee St. It is renting part of a building being developed by Butch Rigby, the owner of the Screenland theater company, which is also opening a l theater there as part of the project.

Generator has signed a five-year-lease and expects to be in the space later this month.

Generator plans to invest more than $200,000 in the expansion, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The company was started in 2009 by Mike Kress and Tom Proebstle. Besides the two partners, Generator has five other employees. Kress said Wednesday the company expects to add three more employees in the next few months.

“We think that’s our (staffing) sweet spot with our forecasted growth,” Kress said.

If Generator meets job creation and investment guidelines it will be eligible for up to $63,435 through the Missouri Works Program, the state said.

The company focuses on building design, branding, interior design, urban planning and sustainable energy consulting. Its clients are in the hospitality, sports venue, residential and real estate development markets.

The Star

This story was originally published September 10, 2014 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Architects moving to Crossroads district, adding jobs."