Downtown is where you can walk to work, where you share in a strong sense of community and where you live it up. Nearly 2,000 people call Downtown home and many more are joining them. Short commutes, breathtaking views and cultural conveniences are just some of the reasons young professionals, empty-nesters, and families are seeking the Downtown living experience. Wichita has created a Downtown community that is breathing new life into the City's oldest business district and moving it toward a 24/7 experience.
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Downtown is thriving with residential development! There are 124 units that have opened in Downtown in the last 24 months and currently 542 units are either under construction or being planned.
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The light is green, the future is forward, and the moment is now. Wichita's city core is poised for tremendous growth. In the previous decade, Downtown Wichita has seen almost $855 Million invested by the public and private sectors. Projects such as Old Town, WaterWalk, Keeper of the Plains and INTRUST Bank Arena distinctly mark our skyline. A momentum is building in the community to see the City of Wichita become the next great American River City. View a list of Downtown projects or click the photo above to see a map of all Downtown projects.
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From left to right: Former Mayor of OKC Kirk Humphreys, City of Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and Blair Humphreys
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On November 14, 2012 the WDDC hosted their 2012 Annual Lecture Luncheon featuring Former Mayor of Oklahoma City Kirk Humphreys. The event was held at the $20 Million development project site The LUX.
About Mayor Kirk Humphreys
Mayor Humphreys is a native of Oklahoma City, OK and a 1972 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
From 1972 until 1989, Mayor Humphreys and his brothers built a distribution company which provided beauty products and other non-food merchandise to retailers nationwide. Since then, Mayor Humphreys has been active in real estate development and currently serves as Chairman of the Humphreys Company, a real estate development firm with properties in seven states. Noted projects include Carlton Landing, a 1600-acre city development on Lake Eufaula in southeastern Oklahoma, and The Waterfront, a redevelopment project on the site of the former Downtown Airpark on the Oklahoma River in Downtown Oklahoma City.
Known across Oklahoma for his public service, Mayor Humphreys served on the Putnam City School Board from 1987 through 1995. He was twice elected Mayor of Oklahoma City, serving from 1998 through 2003. Under his leadership, the city completed a number of noted MAPS Projects which dramatically revitalized the downtown area. In 2001, Mayor Humphreys led the effort that resulted in the approval of MAPS for Kids, a sweeping $690 million revitalization of the city's public schools. He is Chairman of the Oklahoma District Council of the Urban Land Institute and serves on the board of OGE Energy Corp.
Weren't able to attend?
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WDDC BOARD MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
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Completed in October of 2012, The Renfro is part of the East Douglas Avenue Historic District. It was built in 1908 as the Layle Hotel and later became the Renfro Hotel. The City then purchased the building and remodeled it, naming it Victoria Park Apartments. The building was purchased in 2011 by a local developer and redeveloped offering 19 residential units with five commercial spaces that offer the option of a live/work setting. The live-work units have first and second floor entrances and spiral staircases.
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The Renfro also offers more traditional layouts, including three studios, two 2-bedroom units and nine 1-bedroom units. One living space has a glass block wall, while another has an operable freight door to invite the outside environment in. The units are equipped with electric high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, designed to use only the exact amount of energy needed to cool or heat the unit's area. Learn More
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This beautiful 5-story brick building formerly housed the world's largest supplier of materials for rebuilding and repairing antique player pianos, organs, and coin operated musical instruments.
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The 33,000-square-foot building was built in 1901 and has desirable features such as large wood columns, wood beams and floors with exposed exterior brick walls and 16-foot ceilings on the first and second floors. The $4 Million project introduces two-bedroom and one-bedroom apartments ranging from 410 - 885 square feet in the six-level structure. The Player Piano Lofts are scheduled for completion in December of 2012 and are pre-leasing now. Learn More
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The Commerce Street Lofts project was completed in August of 2012 and is a mixed-use two-story development (retail/office first floor - residential on the second).
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 Located in the Commerce Street Arts District, the four two-bedroom units feature exposed brick and great views of Downtown Wichita. All kitchens have granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Beautiful wooden floors span the living room/ kitchen area. Industrial staircases are in every unit in the building as well as in the main areas. Learn More |
The LUX is the redevelopment of the former Kansas Gas & Electric Building. The project will be a mixed-use development offering office, residential and luxury terraces overlooking the City's skyline. Scheduled to open fall 2013, The LUX is poised to develop a unique sense of community and place in Downtown Wichita while keeping true to the building's original 1950's character.
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The first and second floors of the 7 story building will cater to businesses while the top five floors house apartments and condos - totaling 72 units. The LUX boasts countless amenities that will deliver the thrill of big-city living with the security of a close-knit community. Rooftop amenities include a cocktail pool, a rooftop garden, a playground for children and a lounge and exercise room. Unit amenities include washer and dryer, unique energy-efficient lighting and walkout patios (in some units). Learn More
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Garvey Center owner, Builders Inc, will be constructing 36 new apartments at the corner of First and Waco. Tenant parking will be within the Garvey Center's existing garage. This new project will dramatically transform that prominent intersection and will be a catalyst for further development along the First Street corridor. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.
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The proposed 4.4 acre WaterWalk apartments are located adjacent to the Wichita Ice Center, on the southwest corner of Maple and McLean. The two proposed four-story buildings will include 134 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. This $8.5 - 9 Million project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
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The Commodore Apartment project will renovate an existing Wichita landmark just north of Central Ave. Garrison Community Development LLC is refurbishing the property. Upon completion, the proposed $5.9 Million project will offer a total of 58 apartments including 17 studio units, 26 one-bedroom units, and 15 two-bedroom apartment units. The apartments will be made available exclusively to persons over the age of 55. On-site amenities will include laundry facilities, a community room and a computer lab.
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Exchange Place and Bitting Buildings
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The project will retrofit the Exchange Place and Bitting Buildings to offer 230 residential units on Douglas Avenue. The development will incorporate a new 273-space parking garage, office and retail space. The Wichita City Council unanimously approved the developer's agreement Tuesday, December 18 and construction is scheduled to commence in summer of 2013. This approximately $60 Million project will continue the revitalization of the Douglas Avenue corridor.
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