Another historic building in downtown KC is getting converted into new housing

Another historic Kansas City building a short walk away from a streetcar stop will be converted into housing.

The city’s plan commission advanced plans last week to convert the 12-story George B. Peck Dry Goods building, 1044 Main St., into a mixed-use building with 74 apartments and over 10,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Plans show a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments alongside amenities that include a gym and a rooftop area. The building, also known as Peck’s Plaza, was built around 1914 and joined what was once a buzzing shopping destination called Petticoat Lane for decades before it was remade as office space.

Local firm Exact Architects is behind the project, which joins the company’s slate of similar historic rehab projects across Kansas City, including the planned conversion of the ABC Building in midtown into lofts.

The project will aim for rents competitive or below market rates, according to city documents. Incentives for the project could include historic tax credits.

The development plan for the Peck building would need to be approved by the City Council at a later date. Construction could begin later this year.

The Downtown Council of Kansas City is supportive of the project. Sean O’Byrne of the Downtown Council wrote in a letter that the project will grow the neighborhood and tax base while driving more development along Main Street and restoring an architectural treasure.

“It remains imperative that if we are serious about growing business Downtown that we continue to support new development such as this,” the letter said. “This project will turn a blighted building and garage into revenue creating and tax generating properties. We believe the development will be well received and a tremendous success.”

This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 5:56 AM.