August 5, 2023

Missouri Main Street Connection Inc. (MMSC) presented downtown revitalization awards recognizing revitalization excellence during Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference in St. Louis on July 28, 2023.

The ceremony on Friday night honored communities, individuals, businesses, and organizations from across the state that have completed exemplary work in downtown revitalization. Competitive nominations were submitted for projects, activities, and individuals in 13 different categories that covered aspects of design, economic vitality, organization, promotion, and other efforts in downtown revitalization.

Best Downtown Housing Project Awarded to Elevate 114 Apartments

Elevate 114 Apartments is a multi-family housing development that supports the economic growth and vitality of Downtown Lee’s Summit. The development was created by Cityscape Residential, a developer who worked closely with the church, the downtown community, and the City staff to redevelop a four-acre property that had been on the market for over 5 years.

The development preserved the historic church sanctuary, built in 1922 and is architecturally unique and beloved by many Lee’s Summit residents. The sanctuary was converted into the leasing office and tenant amenities, such as co-working and meeting spaces. The development also includes over 400 parking space garage, which ensured that new residents did not take away any public parking from the existing downtown businesses and customers.

Elevate 114 Apartments features 270 new housing units in a mix of studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedroom market rate apartments. The development represents the largest single one-time private investment in Downtown Lee’s Summit history at $52 million. The annual economic impact of the new residents is estimated to be over $5 million to the downtown community.

Elevate 114 Apartments is more than just a housing project, it is an integral part of the downtown community and has influenced the priorities of the Main Street program. The new residents support the downtown businesses, volunteer at events, and serve as downtown ambassadors. The management and staff of Elevate 114 embrace downtown and have sponsored events, such as the Downtown Wine Walk.

Elevate 114 Apartments is Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street’s nomination for the Best Downtown Housing Project, as it fosters a sense of community and connection among the residents, the businesses, and Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street. It is a development that celebrates downtown Lee’s Summit, its heritage and invites people to discover and appreciate its charm and potential.