The ground is churning down on the banks of the Missouri River. There's a lot of attention on the new KC Current Stadium just west of I-29, but there's another development making waves in history. Introducing Berkley Riverfront's first modern hotel.

Leaders broke ground in December 2022 at the corner of Berkley Plaza + River Front Drive — across from Riverfront Nail Lounge. It also adds to the developments east of Union Berkley apartments (the stadium and volleyball courts) as projects continue to crawl across the expanse of empy land.

Origin KC is a $30 million, five-story boutique hotel by Mississippi-based Thrash Development Group. The hotel chain boasts unique offerings in each hotel based on the location, and a statement by the Kansas City Port Authority said its design and amenities will "reflect the heart of Kansas City."

Developers expect to open the hotel in March 2024.

We see the path forward. | Photo by KCtoday

Amenities

The hotel will feature the river front's second restaurant and bar. While details have not been disclosed, Austin, TX's Origin includes a patio, local drinks, and a diner-style menu open 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Origins are fitness-focused, with locations including exercise rooms and strategic placement next to outdoor activities (makes sense for Berkley). A statement also included a bike library (think: a system for lending bicycles) and a yoga space.

And of course — the hotel will literally have door-to-door service with the KC Streetcar's Riverfront Extension once the rail line opens in 2024.

Past Berkley Riverfront development

Seems right that their offices are right across the street. | Photo by KCtoday

The hotel is only the most recent groundbreaking in the groundswell of projects the past five-plus years. For more than a century, Berkley Riverfront didn't see vertical development. Then in 2017, Union Berkley began — followed by Bar K the next year.

The riverfront welcomed CORE, a second apartment project with 355 units, in 2020. Leaders then broke ground on the new soccer stadium in 2022.

What do you want to see built next? Tell us here.