Musician’s Friend will build a new 702,000 square foot facility at Northland Park in Kansas City, Mo. It will be one of the largest distribution centers in the Kansas City metro, with the capacity to expand to 1 million square feet.

“As Musician’s Friend continues to grow, we need to ensure our fulfillment capabilities support that growth,” said Robert Eastman, CEO of Musician’s Friend. “Kansas City’s central location and access to major Interstate highways will help us continue to give our customers the best prices, selection and service to achieve their music goals.

Eastman said the location near the company’s current facility was a plus. “Expanding in Kansas City will allow us to retain the majority of the stable, productive workforce we have established over the past few years,” said Eastman.

Musician’s Friend will employ more than 520 individuals when its facility is completed in 2007. The company’s current facility in Executive Park in Kansas City, Mo., is about 250,000 square feet. Musician’s Friend currently employs 380 individuals at this location. National developer, Panattoni Development Co., will construct the $45 million building and lease it back to Musician’s Friend.

Musician’s Friend is the direct response division of Guitar Center, Inc. The company is an online retailer of musical instruments and musical equipment and supplies.