Plus, OP's newest luxury event space.
6AM City In-house

An Origin story for the ages 🏨

Berkley Riverfont leaders break ground on first modern hotel
Origin gif.gif
What a difference a year and two months will make. | Gif by KCtoday, rendering by The Thrash Group
The ground is churning down on the banks of the Missouri River. There’s a lot of attention on the new KC Current Stadium just west of I-29, but there’s another development making waves in history. Introducing Berkley Riverfront’s first modern hotel.

Leaders broke ground in December 2022 at the corner of Berkley Plaza + River Front Drive — across from Riverfront Nail Lounge. It also adds to the developments east of Union Berkley apartments (the stadium and volleyball courts) as projects continue to crawl across the expanse of empy land.

Origin KC is a $30 million, five-story boutique hotel by Mississippi-based Thrash Development Group. The chain boasts unique offerings in each hotel based on the location, and a statement by the Kansas City Port Authority said its design and amenities will “reflect the heart of Kansas City.”

Developers expect to open the hotel in March 2024.

Photo of construction site next to apartments

We see the path forward.

Photo by KCtoday

Amenities

The hotel will feature the riverfront’s second restaurant and bar. While details have not been disclosed, the Origin in Austin, TX includes a patio, local drinks, and a diner-style menu open 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Origins are fitness-focused, with locations including exercise rooms and strategic placement next to outdoor activities (makes sense for Berkley). A statement also included a bike library (think: a system for lending bicycles) and a yoga space.

And of course — the hotel will literally have door-to-door service with the KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Extension once the rail line opens in 2024.

Past Berkley Riverfront development

Photo of Port KC's office

Seems right that their offices are right across the street.

Photo by KCtoday


The hotel is only the most recent groundbreaking in the groundswell of projects the past five-plus years. For more than a century, Berkley Riverfront didn’t see vertical development. Then in 2017, Union Berkley began — followed by Bar K the next year.

The riverfront welcomed CORE, a second apartment project with 355 units, in 2020. Leaders then broke ground on the new soccer stadium in 2022.

What do you want to see built next? Tell us here.
The Folly Theater

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Jan. 25
Thursday, Jan. 26
  • Little Explorer’s Club: Fur and Blubber | Thursday, Jan. 26, Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10:15-11 a.m. | Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $0-$5 | Take your kids to learn how animals stay warm in the winter.
  • Jon Brick Art/Biz Talk | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 12-1 p.m. | The Brick, 1727 McGee St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Hear from the winner of the Kansas City Film Fest International Audience Choice Award for Documentary Feature.
Friday, Jan. 27
  • Neighborhood Networking - Startland News | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Spark Kansas City, 1475 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Network with fellow Kansas Citian innovators and creatives, and take part in a raffle giveaway.
  • Dan Cummins: Burn It All Down Tour | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $31-$168 | This popular comedian has garnered 650 million plays on Pandora — aside from hosting two podcasts: “Timesuck” and “Scared To Death.”
Saturday, Jan. 28
  • 1860s Dance Party | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS | $20 | Celebrate Kansas’ statehood with some 1860s style dancing — live music and light refreshments included.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 33Âş | Cloudy | 20% chance of precipitation
  • The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory through noon today. 1-3 inches of snow is expected throughout different parts of the metro — which could impact the morning commute. Check the road conditions in Kansas and Missouri to stay safe and plan ahead. ❄️
Transit
  • RideKC is hosting two public meetings about the East-West Transit Study. The team will present options between KU Health System in KCK and the Truman Sports Complex, and attendees will be invited to participate in a Q+A. The meetings (click for full details) are Tuesday, Feb. 7 and Thursday, Feb. 9.
Sports
  • Midfielder Desiree Scott re-signed with the KC Current for 2023, marking her third season with Kansas City. The team captain and three-time Olympic medalist was also the first winner of the Ally Award — a league-wide honor for team leadership. ⚽️
  • Swing for the fences. The Royals traded Gold Glove outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Minnesota for two minor league pitchers. Both pitchers will remain in the minors for now. KC also traded shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and a player to be named later to Boston for left-handed pitcher Josh Taylor.
Biz
  • The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting + open house at Strang Hall’s new luxury event space, Strang Reserve — at 8020 Marty St. Anyone who wants to see the space (while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres) can register for the event on Thursday, Jan. 26, 4-7 p.m. 🎀
Ranked
  • The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s online master’s program in nursing ranked No. 11 in the country for military veterans. The US News & World Report based the rankings on affordability, accessibility, and reputation. UMKC ranked the same in last year’s list. 🎓
Drink
  • What is red + brown and includes two of Editor Bella’s favorite things? Okay, we won’t make you guess for too long — this single origin mocha from Messenger Coffee. The KC design and taste will help keep your energy high for the AFC Championship Game this weekend.
Edu
  • Thinking about summer plans? Pro tip: Sign your kids up for Summer at Barstow — one of the longest-running and most-loved summer programs in the metro. Enjoy hundreds of academic, athletic, arts, and adventure camps. Bonus: STEAM camps are now available — register here.*
Eat
  • Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: KCtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. 🍽️ *
Wellness
  • If one of your 2023 goals is to create more time for self care and relaxation, an acupressure mat is a must. The mats are designed to stimulate pressure points to relieve tension, decrease stress levels, and increase circulation. This ProsourceFit full body mat includes neck support.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

If you start now, you’ll hit them all by...

Kansas City’s regional trails and bikeways map
Gif of the regional trails map
Make 2023 your outdoorsy year. | Gif via KCtoday
The Mid-America Regional Council is asking for public feedback to improve its regional trails and bikeways map. But did you even know this exists?

Answered: “Where can I find a comprehensive map of area bike trails?” — Reader Karen A.

This map provides a comprehensive, color-coded look at all of the types of paths across the metro. Here are a couple tips for using it:
  • You can access the key in the bottom left button, which explains the colors (from pedestrian paths to mountain bike and equestrian trails).
  • You can toggle layers in the bottom right button, even layering in trail head parking and local libraries.
Once you start using this tool (we recommend the ol’ bookmark trick), MARC wants your input on ways to make it better. Take this survey, and help improve this public tool for everyone.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.


Editor’s pick: On a recent and balmy winter’s day, my finacée and I were trying to figure out where to take the pup to get some exercise. We wanted a new trail — somewhere that wasn’t muddy but gave us a good variation of views and vigor. If only there had been a map of trails we could consult; and yet, there was. I’ll be taking my own advice and bookmarking MARC’s map for later use.


Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Imagine what could go inside these empty downtown spaces.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?
SUBSCRIBE

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY