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Check this place out… This has got to be one of the coolest tree houses in the world. The photos have been floating around the internet today, but without any sort of description of what it was. With a little digging, I learned that this is actually a two-bedroom suite at a hotel in a coastal rainforest area of Costa Rica. This is officially on my wish list.
It’s hard to pick reasonably priced homes for my pick of the week for obvious reasons. Here we have a story and a half home in Sunset Hills which is a gorgeous, upscale, established neighborhood in the hills just south of the plaza. I would buy this home in a heartbeat because of the first floor layout, the sunken living room, location, backyard and pool. It has a large first floor with two bedrooms plus two more bedrooms upstairs. It feels like a big ranch just like I want, but if you had kids or guests you have more space upstairs.
As a realtor, there are many things I can’t talk to people about. I am not allowed to speak about schools, religion (including location of churches around town), crime, or pretty much the most important things people want to know when they are moving here from another location. It’s part of our fair housing rules and the code of ethics… So I won’t say anything that can get me in trouble, but I will direct you to some pretty interesting/surprising rankings posted on BlogKC. Weird that they didn’t cite or link to the source - hope it is reliable.
Brand new KU Studio 804 home near KU Med was just listed for sale. This is the first time they have ever listed a new one for sale so get quick before it is snatched up! This is one of the most impressive homes I have ever been inside. It is a platinum LEED certified, off-the-grid home with a water sistern and even its own sculptural-looking windmill in the back yard. But step inside, and you quicky forget about the green qualities once you see the high-end finishes, clean lines, and contemporary decor.
Home listed by Annie Premis & Ford Kistler of Prudential.
Tomorrow I will be spending the day down in the Crossroads at 18th and Baltimore preparing for the 9th Annual West 18th Street Fashion Show. This year, I am one of the show’s official producers along with Ashlee Broome, Peregrine Honig, Corrie Van Ausdal and Ryan Gove. If you aren’t familiar, this is the premier fashion show event in Kansas City because of the high level of production and the caliber of designers we accept. Also, it is just a fun and artsy event which takes place outdoors in the street - so our crowd tends to be very diverse both in gender, age and color, and everyone always has a great time.
View photos of a lovely home I will be listing very soon in Brookside. It is a classic shirtwaist with beautiful stone trim on the exterior, and the interior features some of the prettiest arts and crafts woodwork I have seen in a long time.
I have a shiny new listing in Leawood, but I am having a hard time communicating to people what a special house this one is. Lately, when I use a term like perfect, gorgeous or beautiful - nobody believes me because these words get overused and abused daily by realtors trying to puff up their listings. Well, I’m not puffing - it is perfect, gorgeous and beautiful. The decor is very appealing - I guess I would say it is a Crate and Barrel sort of style if I had to choose. Many agents use the term “Pottery Barn Perfect”, and while this house is perfect - it is way cooler than Pottery Barn; it is a sort of modern/traditional style. Every single room is updated and all the mechanicals, roof, exterior, foundation type stuff is in great condition and all updated or replaced in the last 5 years. Inside and out, top to bottom - this one is a keeper. It is near Town Center off Mission Road just south of 119th. Great location - easy to zip up State Line and be in the city, or stay close to home and enjoy all that Leawood has to offer…. Also, it is a established neighborhood with trees(!) and landscaping, a private pool, sidewalks, and friendly people. $419,000.
This happened at my house last year, but they came and left quietly and all was well. These bees, however, look like they may want to take up residence at the Prudential office on the Plaza. They were all over the place and it looked as though they found a little hole that they really liked… I’m a strong supporter of honey bees and they deserve a nice home like anyone else, but I’d prefer them safely out of sight on the farm and not by the front door of my office or stuck to my fender. Great pics - thanks, Jan.
In the past, I was undecided about the quality and the service at Blue Grotto Pizzaria in Brookside, but I think they may have figured it out. Mr. Snodgrass and I had an excellent dinner there this week. Actually, in all honesty, we were not planning a dinner there at all, but as we were walking past, the appeal of the open bar and the atmosphere drew us in and we stayed for dinner. We ordered two of their specialty pizzas - the thai chicken pizza, and the sausage pizza. Both were very tasty, with fresh mozzarella and fresh ingredients. Mr. Snodgrass especially liked the Thai pizza. Also, this time the crust was just right. On my first outing, I remember it being a bit burnt on the bottom. I will definitely go back when I want a good dining experience close to home , but I will forgo the stiff dining room for the more lively bar atmosphere. Still not my favorite pizza in Kansas City, but a solid choice.
The unveiling of the newest Studio 804 house is tomorrow, Saturday, May 16, from 10am-4pm. The address is 3716 Springfield, just west of KU Med Center on 39th Street. The home was built by University of Kansas Students, led by the highly acclaimed executive director of Studio 804, Dan Rockhill.
Prairie Style Robie House in Chicago by Frank Lloyd Wright
Linda Anderson with Coldwell Banker Advantage has a really interesting new listing in the Valentine neighborhood of Midtown Kansas City. If you like Prairie Style architecture, you would really get a kick out of seeing this home. Prairie Style architecture, made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright, is recognizable by these general features:
Studio 804 will be hosting an open house next Saturday, May 16, to unveil their latest project to the public. I can’t wait to see what they have come up with this time - each year they seem to surpass the year before, both in terms of design and sustainability. This will be the first two-story house they have built since 1999 (the first in the KU Med neighborhood), and they have utilized reclaimed lumber and materials from a demolished building at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant. I am a huge proponent of Studio 804 - it benefits so many people from the students themselves to the community of Kansas City, Kansas. If you like architecture, innovation, and design - you will enjoy viewing this home.
I have heard this home is for sale, though it is not listed locally in our listing service.