Luxury townhomes coming to downtown Cape near casino

Downtown Cape Girardeau will see a series of luxury townhomes added to its residential offerings this fall.

Local developer Kenny Pincksten said he’s been working to create “an exclusive private subdivision” in the 300 block of North Main Street between downtown and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau for several years.

The development, called Riverview Court, is designed to reflect the antique charm seen elsewhere in downtown Cape Girardeau but offer modern functionality.

“I designed them to look like the old-style row homes you’d see in Savannah, Georgia, or other historic downtown areas,” he said. “When I designed them, I wanted them to look like they belonged there in downtown. I didn’t want something that looked like it belonged on the west side of town.”

The five homes under construction represent the first phase of a larger development plan, Pincksten said.

There will be at least one other phase to come, but that will depend on how the initial homes are received.

He said the design work took about a year after he purchased the land four years ago.

“When you’re building a structure where the architecture is from 200 years ago, it’s more challenging, it’s more exciting, and it’s more rewarding,” he said.

Weather is preventing workers from pouring concrete, but he said he hopes to have the 3,000-square-foot, above-ground homes under roof by June 1.

Each home will have a four-car garage as well.

Pincksten was involved in renovating the Vasterling Suites downtown shortly before he bought the land he’s developing now.

He said the biggest hurdle to downtown residential development is working with city codes.

“Codes that work when you’re developing a 20-acre parcel of land on the west end of Cape, that doesn’t work when you’re developing in an area where you have 200-year-old historical buildings that are built three inches off the property lines,” he said.

The land had to be rezoned and subdivided; water and sewer infrastructure had to be upgraded; and Pincksten had to obtain variances on some codes, but the Cape Girardeau native said it’s been worth it so far.

“Nostalgia is the main driving factor behind my passion for downtown Cape,” he said. “But it’s not just that. ... Downtown Cape Girardeau is actually a popular area. ... I’m hoping this is a catalyst and hoping to see other developers take notice and maybe start recognizing that there is a potential in downtown. You don’t have to just be passionate about it like me. I think there’s potential.”

tgraef@semissourian.com

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