Owner Travis Freeman will move the holiday-decorations business this winter to a former Bag ’N Save supermarket at 156th and Blondo Streets. He’ll convert its old home at 3852 Farnam St. into about a dozen second-floor loft apartments and a street-level restaurant and retail space, joining a redevelopment wave in the Blackstone District.
A few years from now, Freeman plans to build a four-story, $15 million apartment building with retail space on property he owns just to the west. The 112 market-rate units would have balconies and underground parking.
I wish there was some brick incorporated into more than just the corner section, but I like the design compared to that same plain mixed-material modern design that we see over and over and over again across the country. This would be a very nice addition to a great street. Farnam has really taken off!
At first, I thought they were going to tear down the existing building (built in 1926) to build that, but the existing building will be redone first into 2nd floor apts and then later that building will be built to the west of the existing building.
If this is just a rendering of the renovations, and the building itself is not altered too severe, it looks like this building will be mostly brick, Ill have to see if I have a fairly recent photo of this building somewhere tonight.
Coyote wrote:If this is just a rendering of the renovations, and the building itself is not altered too severe, it looks like this building will be mostly brick, Ill have to see if I have a fairly recent photo of this building somewhere tonight.
The only existing structure in the rendering is the current Brite Ideas at the far end. The rendering is drawn from 39th and Farnam, looking east-northeast. Here's what it looks like now:
Whatever exterior finishes the new building will have, there's no doubt in my mind it will be a HUGE improvement from what's there now!
Coyote wrote:So, does this project include two properties, the Brite Ideas building and the 'one to the west'? Will it be one building or two?
The first part of the project is the current Brite Ideas building. They are adding apts to the 2nd floor and restaurant/retail space to the ground level. The second part of the project will be the building in the rendering above. It will be built in about 3 years.
So, if I have my directions correct... this corner is just across the street from Nite Owl? so this ground level (retail?) will extend the Blackstone retail Corridor?
Coyote wrote:So, if I have my directions correct... this corner is just across the street from Nite Owl? so this ground level (retail?) will extend the Blackstone retail Corridor?
Yep. And the Brite Ideas building retail is directly across from the currently u/c project with more retail and residential. Basically 40th to almost 38th will be contiguous retail frontage on the north side of Farnam in a few years.
I'm going to miss seeing their showroom at night even if it's through beer goggles. I remember toking with friends watching their fire feels like it was just yesterday.
12 units and 112 units! Wow! What a change happening in this this area.
Several good incorporation's of existing looks into a redevelopment lately. Nice!
Here is a look at the apartments in the area.
The more I think about this single article. The more this is such a win-win-win situation.
That Bag-n-Save on 156th and Blondo was trash. Wasn't it previously a Baker's? Anyway, this West O neighborhood gets an instant upgrade with a specialty store that suits West O better than Farnam. I believe the Bright Ideas will do MUCH better at this location. Win-Win for Bright Ideas and West Blondo! Is Blondo open yet?
And now, a huge win for Blackstone, which gets better retail in that building, plus more residents, with more apartments in the near future. Soon we can almost talk about the Blackstone district along side of Benson and Dundee as being happening entertainment districts, and if they get a music venue... Holy |expletive| Batman!
Phase one of this site at 3852 Farnam St. has reached the leasing stage. There are a number of advertised rental rates.
One bedroom one bath $1000 730 sqft
One bedroom 2 bath $1300 to $2000 ranging from 1000 sqft to 1358 sqft
Two bedroom $1900 for 1335 sqft
A few years ago Nick Bartholomew told me he had thoughts of opening something in the area... Since the Market House has been waylaid, I wonder if he has different plans now...
Sarah Baker Hansen - World-Herald staff writer wrote:
Strawhecker said the restaurant will serve wood-fired pizza, greens, sandwiches and gelato in a fast casual setting.
I wonder why Benson, Dundee, and the Old Market didn't work out. It seems to me that Benson and the Old Market would be perfect listings for something like this.
daveoma wrote:I wonder why Benson, Dundee, and the Old Market didn't work out. It seems to me that Benson and the Old Market would be perfect listings for something like this.
My guess is It's only two blocks off the main drag and it's probably easier to get in on this development given it's a relatively new destination with a lot more room for growth than the others. Better weekday crowd essentially.