Molzer Adds 175,000 Sq Ft in West Bottoms

Developer Zach Molzer says brick and timber buildings in the West Bottoms are now under contract.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Commercial

Weathered red-brick industrial warehouse walls with exposed timber beams and a metal loading canopy under overcast daylight, with a stack of reclaimed planks against one wall. — Molzer Development said Tuesday it has placed 175,000 square feet of brick and timber buildings in Kansas City's West Bottoms under contract, extending its work in the district. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Molzer Development announced that 175,000 square feet of brick and timber buildings in Kansas City's West Bottoms are under contract. The announcement came on X, where Zach Molzer shared photos of the buildings on a block off the southeast corner of West 13th and Hickory streets.

Why it matters

The deal extends Molzer's activity in the West Bottoms, where the firm has already converted a vacant downtown hotel into apartments. It also arrives as SomeraRoad announces businesses that will move into the district as part of a $500 million redevelopment project.

Molzer's announcement covers 175,000 square feet of brick and timber buildings, while SomeraRoad's project is valued at $500 million. The contract price for the buildings has not been released.

The players

Molzer Development

A Kansas City developer that has converted a vacant downtown hotel into apartments and is now pursuing the West Bottoms buildings.

Zach Molzer

The Molzer Development leader who announced the West Bottoms contract on X.

Free Heel Capital

A capital partner working with Molzer on the West Bottoms project and previously on the Aladdin building housing conversion.

SomeraRoad

A developer that has announced businesses moving into the West Bottoms as part of a $500 million redevelopment.

The details

Zach Molzer announced the contract on X and attached photos of the buildings. Molzer Development is partnering with Free Heel Capital on the project, which follows a earlier conversion of the Aladdin building into housing.

Nov. 3, 2026: Molzer announced the West Bottoms buildings were under contract on X.
A redevelopment plan for the buildings is expected soon.

Commercial Real Estate Momentum

The West Bottoms contract extends Molzer's hotel-to-apartment conversion strategy from downtown into a neighboring commercial district. Its timing alongside SomeraRoad's $500 million redevelopment signals a broader shift toward reinvesting in Kansas City's older industrial blocks.

Residents and businesses in the West Bottoms may see new tenants and building plans as the redevelopment advances. Those interested in the district can track future announcements from the developers involved.

The takeaway

Commercial redevelopment in older districts often moves through a few large deals before the full plan becomes public, so watching developer announcements offers an early read on a neighborhood's direction.