601 Minnesota

The multistory building at the corner of 6th and Minnesota in Downtown Kansas City, KS originally opened in 1926 as Commercial National Bank. After operating for many years as an economic anchor of downtown, the building was left vacant for an extended period of time due to a series of absentee property owners, and its condition deteriorated. Build WyCo acquired the property in 2023 with the plan of renovating it for mixed residential and commercial use.

Build WyCo is currently undergoing an adaptive reuse of the 601 Minnesota building to turn it into apartments and businesses, including future headquarters for Build WyCo. This project is currently under way, with a total size of 48,633 square feet, which will be converted into 22,182 square feet of residential space and 26,451 square feet of commercial and community space. 

The building will serve a broad cross section of the community.  Residents will live in the attainable market rate apartments. Commercial tenants will occupy ground floor spaces. Build WyCo will operate its permanent headquarters from the building, and community members and partners will have access to flexible community and convening spaces and expanded arts programming. 

Projects like this one take time, because the developer must first secure capital to fund the project, get zoning in place, and complete other behind the scenes steps. Given the extent of damage to the building during its long period of disuse, the actual construction process will be extensive, and will involve remediation for substances like mold and asbestos to make the building safe to occupy. Even if it looks like things are moving slowly, there can be lots of things happening behind the scenes. We are aiming for completion and occupancy by early 2029. You can find a more detailed progress update here.

By moving our headquarters downtown, Build WyCo will be able to provide a more accessible and welcoming environment for our neighbors to connect with our services and partners. Bringing housing, community resources, financial capability, arts programming, commercial activity, and Build WyCo's headquarters together will create greater opportunities for connection and engagement. 
 

A stronger downtown creates benefits beyond the immediate project site. 601 Minnesota will bring additional residents, businesses, visitors, activity, and investment into the downtown corridor. Increased downtown activity can strengthen surrounding historic neighborhoods by improving connections, increasing visibility, supporting businesses, and creating greater confidence for continued private and community investment. This is consistent with Build WyCo's broader experience: strategic housing and neighborhood investment can help rebuild the housing market,  demonstrate value, and encourage additional investment in surrounding areas. 
 

Currently, it is too soon to begin contracting for most related services. We will share an update when we are ready for these kinds of conversations! Until then, you can stay updated by subscribing to our email list here.

The 601 Minnesota project is intended to restore and reinvent the historic building into a flourishing mixed-use redevelopment. Build WyCo has applied for state and historic tax credits to restore the building to its original Art Deco design. We are excited that the project is taking place right around the 100th anniversary of the original building’s opening in 1926.

We know that thriving neighborhoods are places where people of a wide range of incomes can call home, and this is especially true in downtowns where people work, play, and shop.  In KCK’s downtown, we have seen great affordable housing development over the past few years, but there has been no housing development at all for residents who would not qualify to live in affordable housing. In line with our mission, Build WyCo will continue to build and develop a variety of housing types of high quality while offering a wide range of programs to support increased affordability. This project is just one aspect of a wider strategy.