The City Market is found in Kansas City's River Market area.

The River Market

When I left Kansas City in 1986 to begin my journey in Washington, DC, I left a downtown area of Kansas City that no one really wanted to be a part of. My how things have changed.

When I returned in 2004 and began exploring all that had changed during my odyssey I was most pleasantly surprised to find the River Market area.

To give you some background, when I was growing up this area was known as the River Quay. Translation to Kansas Citians of that era, River Quay meant "place where mafia members blow each other up". Today it means lifestyle. The area is alive and well with a mixture of young urbanites and people from the suburbs walking around looking at the abundance of loft conversions going on.

Urban Living

Without trying to be too self indulgent here, let me say that I'm an urbanite living in the suburbs. (Raising kids and all.) I long to return to urban living. And the River Market is my kind of area. Literally just a 5-10 minute walk to downtown with lifestyle choices growing all around it. Restaurants and bars and shopping are springing up everywhere. In the heart of the River Market is the City Market. A preponderance of produce can be found here along with fresh spices, fresh seafood and so much more. Cultures blend easily as the shopping and negotiations take place freely.

Just a few hundred yards to the north of the City Market you can be walking along the path that runs along the Missouri River. Some work has been done here to make it a more attractive area. More work needs to be done, to be sure.

Today, my son and I ate at Minsky's Pizza. His choice. But Winslow's BBQ and a micro-brewery, Mexican and Italian, Vietnamese and Indian can all be found within blocks of each other. As well as a few watering holes.

Loft Living

Surrounding the entire City Market are lofts of all shapes and sizes. And price ranges. While we were down there today we saw many a folk going on the Urban Tour. A tour organized by builders and real estate agents to familiarize the public with their offerings.

While my son and I didn't go on this tour we did stop by the Riverbend Lofts. (Pictured right.) Bruce Rhoades of Prudential Kansas City Realty was kind enough to show us three of the building's current offerings. I was impressed and my son was converted. They looked completed in a highly professional manner, blending the old with the new seamlessly. He showed me a very small studio that is being offered at $124,900. A good investment? Call me to discuss.

What a convenient life to live. If you work downtown you can literally live a lifestyle where very little driving goes on. Think of the personal time that you would buy back! You would be more a part of a community that is alive and integrated. Rather than a cordoned off section of land with prescribed trees and setbacks. (Again, that's the urbanite in me talking.)

History & Architecture

Another distinct trait of the River Market area of Kansas City is it's unique history. To really learn the history, and so that I won't have to write it all down here, I suggest you visit a website designed specially for the The River Market.

Beautiful architecture is everywhere. Look at the arches in the building to the right. Brick streets. A few blocks over is a modern looking building housing HOK. HOK are some of the best known sports arena/stadium architects in the world. There is just something magnificent and timeless about a well-styled building built with brick. (No I don't work for Acme Brick.)

Every resident of the greater Kansas City area should take a Saturday and re-visit the River Market area. Shops of every kind will keep your attention if the dining options don't. For me, just walking around and looking at the detail that went in to developing so many of these buildings is well worth the drive in from Olathe.

Don't forget to stroll down by the Big Muddy (Missouri River) or visit the steam boat museum honoring the history of the Steamboat Arabia. Live music can often be found and you are always just minutes from all the downtown area has to offer.

If you see me down there, be sure to say "hello".

Chris Lengquist, RIPS
Keller Williams Realty
913.568.1579
listwithchris@kw.com

www.LISTwithCHRIS.net
www.BBQCapital.com