Kansas City region sees beginnings of new IKEA location

Construction is now underway for a new Merriam, Kan. IKEA location. With the erection of the steel structure underway, the building is slated for completion in fall of 2014.

“It is exciting to see the steel frame of an IKEA store take shape," said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. "So we are very pleased that the construction progress keeps us on track to open our Kansas City-area store next fall. We know that IKEA Merriam will meet the home furnishings needs of customers throughout Kansas, Missouri and beyond who have not had an IKEA store close enough to them to allow for more frequent visits. We are glad construction is going smoothly on our plans to bring IKEA to the heartland of America.”

The Kansas City-area store will measure 359,000 sq. ft. on an 18.4-acre lot along the eastern side of I-35 and Johnson Drive. 

Customers can expect to find approximately 10,000 products within its confines, as well as 50 room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children's play area and a restaurant serving up the requisite IKEA offerings.

The new location is set to add 500 jobs during its construction, as well as 300 positions within IKEA upon completion. Seventy food-service jobs will also be available within the Restaurant, Swedish Foodmarket, Cafe Bistro and coworker cafe.

Unique to the area will be a geothermal system -- the largest in Kansas and Missouri -- to provide heating and cooling to the store.