Country Club Plaza owners reveal plan for taller buildings. See the details
The owners of the Country Club Plaza, looking to revitalize the Spanish-style shopping district that for 102 years has been considered one of the city’s jewel attractions, both surprised and pleased Kansas Citians in September when it proposed allowing a 275-foot office on the Plaza’s western edge in an empty three-acre lot where a Nordstrom’s department store had been planned and abandoned.
Building tall seems to be on the minds of the owners.
On Wednesday, the Dallas-based Gillon Property Group (formerly the Village Collection) that bought the 15-block district n June 2024 for a reported $175.6 million, filed its MDP, or Master Development Plan, with the city in which it laid out preliminary ideas to be presented to the City Plan Commission and City Council.
A map that is part of the submission, titled “Height,” shows possible height allowances of upwards of 150 feet and 200 feet, roughly 10 to 15 stories or more, in spots on the Plaza where buildings are currently three or four stories tall.
Among them:
- As much as 150 feet at Seville East, the site of former Cinemark on the Plaza movie theater and Brio Italian Grille.
- As much as 150 feet at the Time Building area, current site of True Food Kitchen and an adjacent parking garage.
- As much as 200 feet on the block that includes the Apple Store and Rally House (site of the former Halls Department Store), bounded by Nichols Road, Central Street and Wyandotte Street.
- As much as 200 feet at the site of the former Chuey’s Mexican Restaurant at W. 47th Street, Wyandotte Street and Mill Creek Parkway.
Height on the Plaza
The areas are largely on the Plaza’s periphery and include parking garages that are in need of major repair or replacement.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ press secretary, Megan Strickland, responded Wednesday.
“After over a year of collaboration between new Country Club Plaza ownership, neighborhood stakeholders, and City staff,” she wrote, “the Mayor welcomes the next phase of the redevelopment of the Country Club Plaza. The Mayor looks forward to reviewing the proposal in its entirety and working with all interested parties to build an exceptional future of mixed-use development for the Kansas City region’s crown jewel.”
Kansas City City Manager Mario Vasquez also responded.
“I’m anxious to review the ownership’s proposal to re-invigorate the Plaza while still maintaining its charm and rich history,” he wrote. “This submittal has been long awaited and I’m confident that the proposal has been crafted after much consultation with stakeholders and with much consideration of what the Plaza means to Kansas Citians.”
With the release of the document, the Gillon Property Group, through Vice President Dustin Bullard, released a lengthy written statement. It did not specifically address the issue of heights.
“Over the last year,” it said, “our team, in partnership with city staff, stakeholders, and consultants, has diligently worked to create a Master Development Plan for Country Club Plaza. This plan has been thoughtfully created by examining the structures and elements that truly make Country Club Plaza unique and special.
“The MPD plan has many sections that set parameters for the future of Country Club Plaza. We know the sustained redevelopment and long-term success of The Plaza requires adding additional uses such as residential, hotel, and office space. These additional uses create more feet on the street bringing more life and economic activity.
“It is our hope that the public will see the amount of thoughtfulness that has gone into creating this MPD and the vision for the future of Country Club Plaza. We believe this plan is built on the legacy and history of the Plaza.”
The Star also sought comment from Kate Marshall, executive director of the Plaza District Council, a neighborhood group aimed at supporting the Plaza and surrounding areas. Marshall, however, said she could not comment, as she had yet to read the document.
Ethan Starr, the executive director of the preservationist group Historic Kansas City, also reserved comment.
“We are still reviewing the submission,” he said.
The Plaza Bowl
In 1989, a Plaza Urban Design ad Development Plan put forth a “bowl: concept for the Plaza to protect its character. It was not until 2019 that the city council voted unanimously to pass the concept as an ordinance, setting heights at no more than 45 feet at the center and rising to no more than 130 feet, or about 10 stories, on the periphery.
In September, the Kansas City Council loosened those restrictions for the possibility of a 275-foot tall tower on the former Nordstrom’s site.
Lucas was supportive of the move following the vote.
“Today we are making a commitment to developing the site that has long been the subject of broken dreams and promises,” Lucas said in a written statement at the time. “By raising the roof on any potential project, we are allowing room for the Country Club Plaza to grow, as the ambitious vision of its new owners and our city becomes reality.”
Kansas City Councilwoman Andrea Bough, whose 6th District at Large includes the Plaza, also had not reviewed the submission.
“I have not seen it,” she wrote to The Star, “but was aware they would be filing. All I can say without having seen it is that I am thrilled to see another step forward to returning the Plaza to its premier status as a destination for all Kansas Citians, their guess and visitors to enjoy and make memories for years to come.”
Other than presenting artists’ renderings over the last year, the Master Development Plan submitted Wednesday is the first document from ownership to present more solid clues to the district’s future direction.
This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM.
