Tuileries Plaza started pre-construction work in 2003 and won't be completely finished until sometime in 2008.

So George Gunter has gotten used to Northlanders asking why the project is taking so long.

'I tell them, Rome wasn't built in a day. Strip malls are, but these type of buildings aren't,' said Gunter, who is developing the mixed-use project with his wife, Pamela Gunter. 'They see malls go up pretty fast, but this project is intricate, with a lot of detail.'

Indeed, 28 buildings are planned for the 50-acre site south of Missouri 45 and just west of Interstate 29. Fourteen are already open or nearly open, and six are under construction. The separate buildings make it easier for customers to park closer to their destinations. Tuileries also has residential and office components.

And Tuileries, (pronounced 'twee-luh-reez') also has an elaborate design based on the Tuileries garden at the Louvre in Paris. It called for heavy landscaping, brick sidewalks, a bell tower, detail on facades, fountains throughout the complex, slate roofs, paver stone drives and entrances with fountains, a waterfall and ponds.

A play area with a miniature Eiffel Tower and an Arch de Triumph, along with a European garden maze and a climbing structure similar to one at the entrance to the Louvre, also are planned.

When completed, the $65 million project will have 270,000 square feet of retail, 60,000 square feet of office, and 88 condominium units starting at $200,000.

'It takes time to do and it's expensive, but we don't want it to look like any other buildings in Kansas City,' Gunter said. 'We want people to walk around and enjoy the architecture.'

The site is near several upscale residential developments with the median household incomes of more than $70,000 a year in a three-mile radius. The Gunters also built in the area because they considered it underserved and they liked its easy access to the interstate. The demographics and accessibility also enticed Zona Rosa, a retail/office/residential complex that opened at Barry Road and I-29 in May 2004.

Tuileries' current tenants include a mix of national chains and locally owned stores. The owners also are looking at such tenants as a specialty grocery, specialty clothing stores and more restaurants.

Janet Brunker, owner of La-de-da Fine Furnishings, liked the center's accessibility off I-29.

She also has a store in Parkville, but carries more furniture and other home decor items in the new location.

'We try to be a one-stop shop and carry lines exclusive to the Kansas City area,' Brunker said. 'Most of our clients are in the neighborhood, and some c ome up the walking trail to shop.'

The locally owned Pacific Grill closed this summer about eight months after opening in the center.

However, Bryce Kuhn, manager of Bonefish Grill, a national chain restaurant,said the response to his restaurant has been great since it opened March 9 in Tuileries.

'They have the growth of north Kansas City in mind,' Kuhn said. 'They are continuing to build and have top quality merchants.'

To reach Joyce Smith, call (816)234-4692 or send e-mail to jsmith@kcstar.com