Power & Light Building

This is an iconic landmark of Kansas City, the art deco Power and Light Building was built in 1931.  Original plans included a second building on the west side but plans were dropped after the Great Depression.  As a result the west side of the building has no windows.  The top pillar has changing color lights at night.  I have not successfully captured a night photo, but am still trying.

Details again

Not sure what this green trim is called, but I like it...

Building Detail

Harry J Epstein Building

This family own company has been in this location for 80 years, the age of the building.  They specialize in quality American made hand tools.  I plan to putz around in the store one of these days, I love tools.  This store is located in the Garment District across the street from the Phoenix Jazz Bar

Downtown Bus Hub

This photo was taken Saturday, not as many people waiting as during the work week.  During the work week this hub is very busy with buses and people.  The smaller building in the background is the Kansas City Central Library as seen here.

Fidelity National Bank Building

You may have noticed this Fidelity National Bank Building in yesterday's photo of the Kansas City Skyline. This 32 story art deco building at 909 Walnut was built in 1931 at an approximate cost of 2.8 million and has had many lives.  The Fidelity National Bank was liquidated during the Great Depression.  In 1946 under President Harry Truman the building was bought for 3.3 million and became the Federal Office Building.  Harry Truman was from the Kansas City area of Independence, MO and had an office in the former Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City building one block away at 925 Grand.  In 1956 the then Federal Office Building became home Severe and Local Storms Service for the Weather Bureau.  The government abandoned the building in 1995 and it was purchased for 500k by a land investment company and it remained empty until it was purchased by a commercial company from Dallas for 2 million.  (Wish I had the foresight and money for that 1995 investment!)  After 9/11 the address for this building became 911 Walnut and is home to commercial and residential real estate.  The twin spires are two separate high dollar lofts.  A couple of years ago a story ran in the local newspaper about the purchase of one of the tops lofts.  Apparently there is a pool table up in one of the spires.    For more information visit this wiki site.

Downtown Skyline

Fall provides a different skyline, clear skies, brighter colors because of less humidity.

Old made Modern

Art Deco Stained Glass on Savoy Hotel & Grill

 
For Boromax

Garment District

Savoy Grill

Savoy Hotel

The Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau hotel was built in 1888.  It offered turn-of-the-century elegance to political and stage personalities as well as cattlemen, grain merchants and travelers heading west. 

Old Reflected in New

Thursdays photo reflection

Phoenix Jazz Club

This area at Central and 8th street was known as the Garment District in 1888.  The Phoenix was a hotel with a  saloon on the first floor.  The Phoenix Hotel was supposedly a shady hotel and rumored to be more of a bordello.

Kansas City Central Library

First National Bank Building built in 1906.  Opened as the KC Central Library in 2004.  The lobby is a rich expanse of marble which was a portrait of wealth when it was a bank lobby.   There were many people waiting outside for the library to open on this day.

Doors to KC Public Library

Embellished double-leaf bronze doors

Woods Building

Under Restoration.  Built in 1888, the Woods Building was home to several prominent physicians, including a female Dr Martha C. Dibble.  She was one of only a few female doctors in late 19th century Kansas City

The University Club

Today this is the Kansas City Club originally the third location of the University Club established by 10 alumni of 6 local higher education institutions.  This was originally establishes as a private men's social club.  It is still a private club today.  The building was built in 1922, the club was established in 1882.

Carbide and Carbon Building

The Carbide and Carbon Building was built during the Great Depression.  Kansas City displayed unusual growth during this period.  Many of the old building I have displayed on this blog during the last several weeks are in the block known as the Library District and I have found my information off the Library District Walking Tour.  I cannot even begin to express how I've enjoyed learning about these buildings for this blog.

This was the first street I became familiar with prior to my move to Kansas City.  The bank I worked for in New Mexico was purchased by the bank formerly occupying the now Kansas City Public Library.  Pictures are forth coming of the Library.  I was awed with this area.

Graphic Arts Building

This building was constructed in 1915 for business in publication and graphic arts.