4 days ago
David Copperfield Apartment tenants blindsided on plans to turn complex into hotel
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tenants at the historic David Copperfield Apartments are learning — some for the first time — that they may soon be forced out of their homes.
A surprise development plan could turn the decades-old building into a hotel, and many residents say they were left completely in the dark.
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'We're in the dark about their plans for the building completely,' said tenant Mary Frances Morales.
The building, nestled in the Plaza neighborhood, has been a longtime fixture in the community.
But now, change is quietly underway. FOX4 has confirmed that a special use permit to convert the complex into a hotel was approved by the city back on November 13, 2024.
According to the city, the owner was required to post a yard sign about the proposal — but was not obligated to notify tenants individually.
Residents tell FOX4 they never saw that sign.
'I didn't know it was approved until just now with you,' Morales said.
Tenants say there's been no communication about the timeline, and with no clear answers, they're left wondering how long they'll have before they need to find new housing.
'It's really upsetting,' Morales told FOX4. 'You at least want a bit of time to plan and organize things if you need to move.'
City officials say tenant impact is considered during the approval process but noted that no residents attended or spoke at the public meetings related to the permit.
It's unclear how many tenants were even aware the meetings were happening.
The owner of the building, Peter Caster of PAC Investments LLC, listed just eight full-time tenants in his business plan and claimed he had no intention of displacing them.
However, tenants dispute that claim, saying nearly half of the building already operates as short-term rentals.
Some residents accuse Caster of raising rents to push long-term tenants out, under the guise of adjusting to 'market rate.'
FOX4 reached out to Caster directly. He answered the phone — but hung up without responding to any questions.
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'You're changing the face of communities, really,' Morales added. 'There are people here that are really part of the community, that have lived here for ages. This is their home.'
With so much uncertainty, residents are left to wait and wonder. FOX4 will continue to follow this developing story and bring you updates as they unfold.
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