Century-old KC apartment building was to be revamped. Now it’s called unsafe

A historic building in midtown Kansas City that has been eyed for renovations is now facing scrutiny from authorities as being potentially dangerous and “unfit for human habitation,” according to city records.

The century-old New Yorker apartment building, 3521 Baltimore Ave., is part of both the National Register of Historic Places and the city’s local register for Hyde Park properties. It is located near Main Street and Armour Boulevard.

According to city and county records, the building is owned by 3521 Baltimore LLC, which has been linked in records and news reports to Mac Properties and New Jersey-based parent company Antheus Capital.

Mac Properties manages numerous apartment buildings along Armour Boulevard and has been behind redevelopment projects in the corridor as it’s transformed over the past 20 years.

Mac has also proposed a large new mixed-use project at 1 W. Armour Blvd. with hundreds of new apartments and retail space.

The proposal bounced around for years before winning support for incentives through a city-tied agency in 2024.

Nearby, the Kansas City Business Journal reported in 2023, Mac was planning to renovate the New Yorker into workforce housing with rents similar to its other buildings along Armour.

In February 2024, the Historic Preservation Commission approved proposed work on the building that would include replacing windows and adding HVAC units.

But the property now has an open dangerous buildings case through the city’s neighborhoods department.

Dangerous building report

During an initial inspection in late June, an inspector found that the property is in “significant disrepair.”

The inspection report says that the basement electrical system is compromised, with missing wiring and detached panel doors, while there is apparent fire damage and mold growth in the basement.

“The first floor sustained fire damage within one unit, affecting the walls, floors, and ceiling. Multiple additional units exhibit structural deficiencies, including damaged walls, weakened flooring, and loose windows,” the inspection report says.

It also says the exterior of the building has significant damage, including missing bricks and partial collapse of front columns. There is also brick loss, structural cracks and rotting window units at risk of collapse, according to the inspection.

“Due to inadequate maintenance, the structure is deemed unsafe, unsanitary, and unfit for human habitation,” the report says. “These conditions pose a risk of injury, illness, or harm to occupants and the public.”

City spokesperson Lanè Johnson said the city’s dangerous buildings team met with the owner and completed an inspection.

“The city is currently reviewing the findings and determining the appropriate next steps,” Johnson said. “Further information on how the city will proceed is still under internal review.”

Listed officials with Mac Properties and Antheus Capital did not return requests for comment. A voicemail left with Antheus Capital and an email sent to Mac’s general inbox were not returned.