Country Club Plaza

Officials from Kansas City Public Schools and the Kansas City Public Library joined a chorus of public comments that prompted the delay.

Kansas City Council is considering a plan to overhaul the Country Club Plaza, with much taller buildings and a new public square. But not all residents are convinced — and now Lockton Companies is moving its headquarters to Leawood.

The new owners of the Country Club Plaza plan to open the door to 200-foot apartment buildings as part of their redevelopment plans. That’s sparked concerns from residents about the area losing its architectural identity. Members of the Plaza Westport Neighbor Association Board warn that the high-rises could wall off the neighborhood.

Under the new ownership of Dallas-based Gillon Property Group, a plan to revitalize Kansas City's Country Club Plaza is underway. Now, city officials and community leaders are facing a massive tax incentive request that they worry could hurt Kansas City Public Schools and other government services.

The Country Club Plaza holiday lighting ceremony is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition in Kansas City. But even many lifelong residents don’t know that the lights actually turn on a day earlier, in a 2 a.m. test run that draws its own small crowd of onlookers.

Located in the former Starbucks building, the Current Shop will feature kits and branded scarves, plus a customization station where fans can personalize their gear. It also will be a site for player autograph signings and other team programming.

After borrowing $1.4 billion to redevelop the Country Club Plaza, the Gillion Property Group is now seeking millions in tax breaks from a Kansas City agency. Residents are also concerned about new construction renderings showing 200-foot apartment buildings and a major change to the neighborhood’s style.

Since purchasing the Country Club Plaza more than a year ago, the Gillion Property group has increased its security and made cosmetic repairs. Now, the company plans major construction that contrasts with the Plaza’s storybook atmosphere, and asking a Kansas City agency for $1.4 billion in tax breaks.

From downtown to midtown, Brookside and everywhere in between, KCUR put together a list of the best shops, restaurants, cafes and museums to explore along the new KC Streetcar extension.

Pop star Taylor Swift was spotted during the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC Championship run in 2024 wearing an EB and Co. piece. The exposure helped the Kansas City brand rapidly expand.

The Plaza’s new owner, Gillon Property Group, recently submitted plans to Kansas City outlining its vision for the future of the district. The group wants to make the area more friendly to pedestrians and increase the allowable height of buildings, in a process that will take several years.

The new extension through Midtown and the Plaza area also brings transit-only lanes. Drivers can get fined or towed for driving and parking in the lanes, which are meant to help the streetcar move faster.