Patrick
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dozens of residents living near the Country Club Plaza are being forced to relocate within weeks, as the David Copperfield Apartments prepare to transition into a boutique hotel.
The decision has left long-term tenants scrambling during what is typically one of the busiest — and most family-focused — times of the year.
Lease Terminations Leave Tenants With Little Time
For many families across the Kansas City metro gearing up for Thanksgiving, the announcement has created turmoil. Instead of holiday plans, resident Kerwin Hudson is facing instability and last-minute relocation.
Hudson recently received a formal notice from the property’s owner stating that his lease will be terminated and that he must vacate the premises by December 31.
“My first thought was — that’s low class. You’re really going to end my lease like this?” Hudson said.
Earlier Assurances Now in Question
FOX4 previously reported on the situation in June, when most tenants still had no idea the building was slated to become a hotel. The city had already approved a permit submitted by PAC Investments LLC in November 2023.
At that time, owner Peter Caster assured the city that tenants would not be displaced under the new business model.
However, the letter Hudson received contradicts those assurances, giving him just over a month to leave the place he calls home.
Residents Frustrated With Landlord and City Officials
Hudson says his concerns extend beyond the property owner. He believes city officials should be stepping in to safeguard renters from abrupt and disruptive evictions.
“The city has to get some kind of control over landlords. They’re moving people out on their own terms — whenever and however they want — and this is happening during Thanksgiving week.”
Attempts to contact Caster in June were unsuccessful, as he ended the call abruptly. This week, multiple follow-up calls and text messages also went unanswered.
Apartment Conversion Pushes Tenants to Consider Leaving Kansas City
For Hudson, the experience has been discouraging enough to make him reconsider not only living near the Plaza, but remaining in Kansas City at all.
“This place feels different. It doesn’t make you want to stay here. I’ve been here a long time — off and on — and yes, it makes me want to leave.”
The sudden displacement of residents at the David Copperfield Apartments highlights growing concerns about housing security and tenant protection in Kansas City.
As the building moves toward its transformation into a boutique hotel, renters like Kerwin Hudson are left facing uncertainty and frustration during a time when stability matters most.
With promises from building owners conflicting with current actions, the situation raises broader questions about oversight, transparency, and the future of affordable housing in the Plaza area.