Property Profiles
Viva Ravello
On a drive north up Highway 9 from downtown Kansas City, one can’t help but be impressed by The Ravello, which rises up — majestically, like a phoenix — from a rocky hilltop on the cliffs of Briarcliff.

On a drive north up Highway 9 from downtown Kansas City, one can’t help but be impressed by The Ravello, which rises up — majestically, like a phoenix — from a rocky hilltop on the cliffs of Briarcliff.

The word “ravello” is Italian, and, loosely translated, means “hilltop village.” The villagers who inhabit this ravello will enjoy a secured living space with all the modern amenities and some pretty stunning panoramic views of the Missouri River Valley and the downtown Kansas City skyline.

The Ravello is being developed by The Pauls Corp., a Denver-based full-service real estate firm. The company first entered the Kansas City market five years ago, when it bought Leawood’s Tomahawk Creek Apartments and converted them to condominiums. While The Pauls Corp. has built luxury developments from the ground up in other parts of the United States and Canada, this is the developer’s first “full-blown build in the Midwest for luxury,” says spokesperson Andrew Mall.

“We feel there is a large empty-nester market in Kansas City and not a lot of  luxury condo options for those who don’t want to live right downtown,” Mall comments.

The developer chose Briarcliff for its second residential project here because of its spectacular views; its convenient location with easy access to downtown Kansas City, the airport, Parkville and Zona Rosa; and for the promise of continued development in the area, including an upscale boutique retail center going in nearby. The Ravello is positioned at the apex of Highways 169 and 9, and is located in Clay County with a Kansas City address.

A.L. Hubert is the general contractor overseeing construction of the first phase of the project, which consists of two four-story buildings with seven condos on each floor. The condos range in size from approximately 1,080 to 2,800 square feet and have one or two spacious bedrooms and 1-1/2, two or 2-1/2 bathrooms. Some of the floor plans also have media rooms and offices.

Each four-story building has underground parking with elevator access from the parking garage to the fourth floor, Mall notes. The entrance will be locked and accessed only through card keys. A small lobby features mailboxes on the left and an intercom system on the right where guests can be “buzzed in” by residents.

Ground-floor units will have terraces sized from 300 to 900 square feet that are great for entertaining, Mall says. Gas outlets are provided on each terrace and balcony for barbecue hook-ups.

The condos are being offered with a choice of three distinct interior finishes: classical, cosmopolitan and contemporary.

Standard features include solid-surface floors, granite countertops and 10-foot vaulted ceilings in some rooms. Select units will feature gas fireplaces. Doorways are designed as decorative arches, with additional arches built into walls and wired for lights to highlight sculptures or other collectibles.

Five-piece master bathrooms contain separated vanities and deep soaker tubs. Kitchens are outfitted with stainless steel GE Profile appliances, gas cook tops, kitchen islands and furniture-quality cabinetry. Space is allocated for an optional wine cellar or expanded pantry.

The bedrooms are spacious and each has a walk-in closet. Condos have laundry rooms with washer/dryer hook-ups.

The Ravello will feature double-wall construction, with some interior walls built using 2 x 6 lumber. A full 20 inches of concrete and insulation separates the parking garage from the main floor. Upper floors are separated with 15 inches of building materials that include sheetrock, R-19 insulation, two inches of lightweight concrete and a special membrane designed to reduce sound.

Homes at the Ravello are priced from the $200,000s to the $800,000s. Monthly maintenance fees have not yet been established but are expected to be in line with what downtown condominiums charge (approximately 25 to 27 cents per square foot). The fees cover the cost of water, trash pick-up and all exterior maintenance.

A sales office opened in June, finished with the same materials used on a regular floor plan. It is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

A planned Phase II will consist of two more identical buildings and a large clubhouse. The first closings of The Ravello’s initial phase are scheduled for this fall.

More information, floor plans and a homebuyer registry on The Ravello can be found on its website, theravello.com.