Hutton forms a new development division and already has a downtown deal to show for it
Ben Hutton’s love for Wichita is perhaps equaled by his enthusiasm for its potential, and that’s why he’s started Hutton Development, a new division at his Hutton design-build firm.
“I love Wichita, and I see so much potential when I drive around in buildings or vacant land,” Hutton said. “We happen to have a design and construction company that can help make those visions real.”
Hutton said he’s been thinking of the idea for the new division for years, but he’s been limited by time.
“There’s lots of room for more projects in Wichita,” he said. “Personally, I have bought and remodeled projects or built things but wanted to professionalize that or do that on a more regular basis.”
With the addition of Kyle Blasdel, an engineer who has been in the Wichita construction industry for two decades, Hutton said he can now achieve that in a more deliberate way.
He and Blasdel said they’re not looking to compete with other developers but to partner with them.
“Our goal is to partner with existing relationships, existing clients, existing developers to bring more projects to the Wichita market,” Blasdel said. “So it’s an added benefit and not a competition.”
He said he’ll be looking for projects to bring to life from an ownership and investment perspective instead of solely from the design and construction side.
“We’re bringing a construction mindset to development,” Blasdel said.
Unlike simply being the contractor where “you’re hired, you build it and you turn the keys over to the owner and then you move on,” Blasdel said he likes the idea of “being part of the story after construction is finished.”
“Our goal is to build . . . projects with the intent to hold,” Blasdel said. “We’re going to build for the long term, for the future.”
Hutton Development’s first project is what the firm is calling the American Legion Building. Most people know it as the building at 126 N. St. Francis where Old Town Architectural Salvage most recently has been.
Blasdel said records show the 14,000-square-foot building was built in 1926, and the American Legion moved in sometime after World War II.
“American Legion was in the building for a very long time.”
There’s still a faded American Legion sign on the building.
“We want to honor and respect the 100-year-old building,” Blasdel said.
Hutton Development will completely renovate the space by opening it up, exposing trusses on the second floor and restoring the building’s hardwood floors in preparation for either offices or commercial space.
Blasdel said when completed it will be “one of the coolest spaces in Wichita.”
Though the building isn’t officially listed for lease yet, Blasdel said he’s “actively looking for tenants.”
Hutton said it was a no-brainer to invest in the building.
“That building is an exciting one because it’s right in the middle of downtown and right adjacent to the new medical campus.”
He said he also likes that it’s by a couple of restaurants he enjoys. Nortons Brewing Co. is across the street, and Bite Me BBQ is next door.
Hutton has offices in Wichita, McPherson, Salina and Garden City.
“Our focus is on projects that matter and help build . . . communities where Hutton exists,” Blasdel said.
He said the idea is to partner with developers in the region to elevate projects.
Hutton said the firm’s design and construction background gives it a perspective to imagine projects differently.
“We see plenty of unique opportunities that we’re a good fit for.”
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