Change in original plan comes because "we never we would get this much market demand in the area," project architect says.

The complex will offer a mix of nearly 700 one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments.

Panasonic's massive EV-battery plant will need lots of juice. The question has been who will pay to upgrade the grid, including for a $62 million substation under construction.

The purchase price includes prepaid rent to allow the public company to remain at the Lenexa facility for the next six months.

The buyer made its third property acquisition in the Kansas City region in the past six years.

Across the street from the Panasonic plant, De Soto is considering providing incentives to redevelop World War II-era housing into affordable units.