Crown Center: urban disaster, shining star, or in-between

[earthling]

Crown Center loss is downtown Loop's gain...
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... dotte.html

Insurance broker moving to 12 Wyondotte Plaza. About 400 jobs initially, expecting 1K more jobs in 6 years.

[FangKC]

I'm surprised to read that 12 Wyandotte was largely vacant.

[FangKC]

THE HALLMARK PENTHOUSE AT CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

For a long time, if you got on a certain elevator at Hallmark headquarters, there was an extra button at the top labeled “PH.” You needed a key to get into the Hallmark penthouse. You’d probably never been there, but knew someone who had: They reported only that the decor was retro-tastic.

Now the space has been re-purposed and (mostly) redecorated as a meeting space, and renamed the Executive Conference Center. It’s still fabulous, but sounds a little less swanky and alluring than “The Penthouse.” So we were thrilled when Hallmark Historian Samantha B. gave us a peek into what was a mid-century modern showcase. Here’s what she shared with us.

http://www.thinkmakeshareblog.com/hallmark-penthouse/

[herrfrank]

Milano is closing. The restaurant was formerly the "Crystal Pavilion," home to endless prom dates in the 1980s. It was not part of the original Crown Center build-out but appeared a few years later in 1982.

The staff from Milano are moving to "One East" as in 1 E. Pershing Road, the new name for the Brasserie at the Westin Crown Center hotel. Milano was technically part of the F&B department of that hotel. (Why wouldn't you use the too-perfect name "Blackjack" for a bar or restaurant on Pershing Road?)

Crown Center will be splitting the Milano space in two: A Starbucks will be going in where the bar area is, and a counter-service barbecue restaurant "Burnt Ends" will take the pavilion room. PB&J of YaYa's Eurobistro will operate.

[Midtownkid]

'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

[smh]

'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

Hopefully a building.

[normalthings]

'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

Hopefully a building.

It’s either a land sale or new build. My first guess would be the Crown Center Condo high rise that has been in the works for a few years.

[moderne]

All plans have consistently shown that remaining as open park with office buildings on the east and south across the streets. Maybe the sculpture just needs curation after all the decades in the weather,replacing cables or something? Its considered an important work of art.

[FangKC]

Imo, the artwork should be moved somewhere else, where it's still prominent. It's taking up a priority parcel needed for heavy-density along a future streetcar line. Since the west side of Main from Pershing to 27th Street is never going to be developed, you need to utilize every available parcel on the east side of the stretch to 31st Street. Tax revenue and usage are needed from adjacent parcels to help fund the streetcar. The east side of Main needs to make up for no revenue from the west side.

[normalthings]

Imo, the artwork should be moved somewhere else, where it's still prominent. It's taking up a priority parcel needed for heavy-density along a future streetcar line. Since the west side of Main from Pershing to 27th Street is never going to be developed, you need to utilize every available parcel on the east side of the stretch to 31st Street. Tax revenue and usage are needed from adjacent parcels to help fund the streetcar. The east side of Main needs to make up for no revenue from the west side.

Yes

[Highlander]

Milano is closing. The restaurant was formerly the "Crystal Pavilion," home to endless prom dates in the 1980s. It was not part of the original Crown Center build-out but appeared a few years later in 1982.

The staff from Milano are moving to "One East" as in 1 E. Pershing Road, the new name for the Brasserie at the Westin Crown Center hotel. Milano was technically part of the F&B department of that hotel. (Why wouldn't you use the too-perfect name "Blackjack" for a bar or restaurant on Pershing Road?)

Crown Center will be splitting the Milano space in two: A Starbucks will be going in where the bar area is, and a counter-service barbecue restaurant "Burnt Ends" will take the pavilion room. PB&J of YaYa's Eurobistro will operate.

While I hate to see the departure of an Italian restaurant (the core has too few - down to Gorozzos, Anthony's and Lydia's now?), I've been surprised how long Milano survived. Maybe the hotel connection bolstered it's staying power? The turnover at CC has been high through the years and I've never seen big crowds at Milano. I certainly remember the Crystal Pavillion. CC capitalized on Proms in the 70's and 80's, Trader Vics also at CC was the big venue for Prom in the 70's and Peppercorn Duck Club after that.

I've always liked YaYa's bistro so this may not be a bad thing but since they are venturing into unfamiliar territory (bbq), I'll wait and see how it goes.

[beautyfromashes]

While I hate to see the departure of an Italian restaurant (the core has too few - down to Gorozzos, Anthony's and Lydia's now?)

You forget new additions Farina and Lazia.

[Critical_Mass]

'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

Maintenance, per @CrownCenter twitter handle. Sculpture should be back in place in a month or two.

[rxlexi]

You forget new additions Farina and Lazia.

Indeed. Also Ragazza on 43rd, and perhaps you could include Cupini's as well.

[normalthings]

Two million SF of mixed-use development in a walkable setting, including over 750,000 SF office, 50,000 SF retail, and 1.2 million SF multi-family housing. Prepared by Goody Clancy for Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.

[langosta]

Two million SF of mixed-use development in a walkable setting, including over 750,000 SF office, 50,000 SF retail, and 1.2 million SF multi-family housing. Prepared by Goody Clancy for Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.

Wow

[TheLastGentleman]

Oooooh

[wahoowa]

yes plz

[kboish]

Is this real or just some conceptual rendering of potential build outs?

[atticus23]

Two million SF of mixed-use development in a walkable setting, including over 750,000 SF office, 50,000 SF retail, and 1.2 million SF multi-family housing. Prepared by Goody Clancy for Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.

Where’d you find this?!?