Country Club Plaza confronted with dozens of vacant shops: 'A long way from what it used to be'

The Plaza has been losing tenants at about the same rate it signs new ones. Whoever purchases the shopping district may have to invest at least $100 million in infrastructure and building upgrades to bring the area back to its “jewel of Kansas City” reputation.
For years, many Kansas Citians longed for the iconic Country Club Plaza, which had been owned by North Carolina-based Highwoods Properties Inc. since 1998, to return to local ownership.

But a powerhouse partnership between two big shopping center names – Taubman Centers and the Macerich Co. — blew into town in 2016, shelling out a whopping $660 million for Kansas City’s “crown jewel.”

The new owners promised deep pockets, proven track records and unrivaled connections to top retailers.

Their plans for the Plaza called for a mix of locally owned shops, sought-after national retailers fresh to Kansas City and hot new concepts that would draw customers from neighboring states.