Two new hotels for the Plaza, initial response is positive

The faded Victory Court apartments would be demolished to make room for a luxury Hyatt Hotel on the Plaza.

Two announcements this week have Midtown residents wondering what changes they’ll bring to the Plaza.

First, the Kansas City Star reported this week that a Houston company, Valencia Group, will complete the development formerly known as West Edge. That’s the site where the new 10-story headquarters of the Polsinelli White law firm is under construction. After the former project stalled, Cecil Van Tuyl’s company, VanTrust Real Estate, stepped in to look for a new developer.  The plan now is for the hotel and adjoining law firm office tower to open in the fall of next year.

West Plaza business owner and resident Joe Montanari says he’s happy to hear about this new development.  “Congratulations to Dave Harrison of Caymus Real Estate and the VanTrust Group for finding an outstanding operator for the elegant Hotel Sorella.  This new hotel adds an important new element to our neighborhood, completing the long-stalled West Edge project, and brings 100 new jobs to Kansas City. This project is a win-win in every sense.  West Plaza neighborhood welcomes the Valencia group and wishes them every success.”

Secondly, Hyatt announced it wants to demolish the Victory Court apartment complex at 4622 Pennsylvania to make room for a new $80 million, 12-story, 225-room luxury hotel. The Kansas City Star reported the proposed development would be jointly developed by Hyatt and Block Real Estate Services of Kansas City. Hyatt would own and operate the hotel. The owners are asking the Tax Increment Financing  (TIF) Commission to grant what’s now being called the Victory Court TIF plan for public financing for the project.

What do you think? Will these two luxury hotels on the Plaza be good for Midtown?