HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Meyer Landmark Building in downtown Hutchinson has reached full occupancy just months after opening, while new businesses continue to bring life to the historic property's ground floor.
Building owner Laura Meyer Dick said all 36 apartments were occupied by the end of August, less than two months after the renovated building opened July 1. A waiting list has already been established for prospective tenants.
"We were full within two months. And we have a waiting list," Meyer Dick said.
The building, which Meyer Dick purchased in March 2023, underwent an extensive renovation that included nearly two years of planning, grant writing and architectural work before construction began Feb. 2, 2025.
Meyer Dick said the demand for downtown housing exceeded her initial expectations.
"It filled up faster than I thought when I started," she said. "When I started, I didn't really realize the demand for housing and apartment living like that."
The 36 apartments feature nine different floor plans and have attracted a mix of young professionals, couples and retirees looking to downsize.
Meyer Dick said the opportunity to live within walking distance of downtown restaurants, shops and entertainment has been a significant draw.
"People want to live downtown where they can just walk to dinner, walk to get ice cream, or walk to get a drink, and or walk down and shop, and then walk home," she said.
Among the surprises during the leasing process was which apartments attracted the most interest. Meyer Dick expected the upper floors to fill first, but apartments on the second and third floors were among the quickest to lease.
"The two bedrooms filled up faster than the one bedrooms, which I was a little bit surprised about," she said.
While the residential portion of the building is fully occupied, commercial activity on the ground floor continues to expand.
Salt City Scoop, operated by Lindsa Hatfield, recently opened, offering ice cream, cookies and other treats in a vintage-inspired setting.
Meyer Dick credited Startup Hutch for helping connect her with Hatfield after plans involving another prospective ice cream business fell through.
"I was talking to Graham Kleeman at Startup Hutch, and he just put it on their Facebook page," Meyer Dick said. "They had a building owner that was looking for an ice cream store, and within an hour, I had a phone call."
The Lantern Room, a Prohibition-themed speakeasy, has also opened in the building. Its decor includes historical photographs from the Conard-Harmon Collection, including one depicting a Halloween party at Meyer Dick's grandfather's home.
Another anticipated addition is Giuseppe's, which Meyer Dick said is expected to open in early December, pending the installation of equipment.
"Nick's been in there working and setting up stuff," she said. "He's waiting on some equipment to get installed from the vendor."
The restaurant will feature a large wood-fired pizza oven, with pizza and pasta among the anticipated menu offerings.
The building also houses Third Level Wealth, a financial and tax advisory business operated by Sean Powell.
Meyer Dick said the combination of dining, desserts and entertainment was part of her vision for the completed property.
"I kind of thought dinner, dessert, drinks," she said.
As the redevelopment transitions from construction to daily operations, Meyer Dick said she continues to learn about the responsibilities of managing the property.
She and her husband even stayed overnight in one of the apartments to test the water pressure, heating and cooling systems and noise levels.
"We kept one apartment for a few months just to kind of stay there and see what it was like to sleep there," she said.
That apartment was leased Nov. 1 to a physician moving to the community to work at the hospital.
Meyer Dick said parking has not presented the problems some initially anticipated. The property offers a gated parking lot north of the building and additional tenant parking near the Labor Temple.
With all 36 apartments occupied, prospective residents can join the waiting list at MeyerLandmark.com or by calling 620-899-2488.
For Meyer Dick, seeing the historic building restored and occupied has been an emotional experience after years of work.
"It was sturdy. It just needed a lot of update," she said.
She recalled staying overnight in one of the finished apartments and looking down Main Street, remembering the building's condition before renovations began.