Historic Office spaces

[LenexatoKCMO]

http://www.kansascity.com/934/gallery/1643071.html

The Star is running a great photo spread on historic KC office spaces.  Some really great pics and I know lots of folks on here will appreciate seeing some spaces that don't have public access. 

[moderne]

At one time businesses wanted a susbstantial public profile, a sense of gravitas.  Not anything like this in Corporate Woods.

[shinatoo]

Knock 'em down, we need parking.

- Love, Mr. Kemper.

[moderne]

What Kemper you referring to?  The article showcases preservation by both Kemper banks.

[FangKC]

The acquistion and demolition of buildings in the North Loop by the two Kemper families and their proxies (UMB, Pioneer Trust, Commerce Bank, Tower Properties) is well-documented on this forum.

See these threads:

http://forum.kcrag.com/index.php?topic=10744.20

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 03#p217403

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 28#p217928

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 95#p218395

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 88#p237488

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 97#p237497

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 04#p237504

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 65#p237565

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 10#p237610

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 12#p237612

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 21#p237621

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 23#p237623

http://forum.kcrag.com/http://www.kcrag ... 24#p237624

[FangKC]

Here is a photo with the individual buildings identified in the North Loop that have been demolished since 1940--mostly for surface parking.



Here is the same photo showing all the buildings in the North Loop that have been demolished since the 1940 photograph was taken.

[DaveKCMO]

that makes me sick to my stomach.

[KC0KEK]

At one time businesses wanted a susbstantial public profile, a sense of gravitas.  Not anything like this in Corporate Woods.

Or at Sprint. The executive boardrooms are nice but several notches below the old R.A. Long boardroom, and the Scarritt Arcade blows away the Wintergarden.

[zonk]

thanks Fang...THAT IS SHOCKING!  I didn't realize all that former building stock was there.....It would be interesting how much the kemper family (either side) had in the continued degredation of downtown KC....they suck!

[im2kull]

thanks Fang...THAT IS SHOCKING!  I didn't realize all that former building stock was there.....It would be interesting how much the kemper family (either side) had in the continued degredation of downtown KC....they suck!

Same here, its nice to have a graphic to look at.  I always think of the crossroads and everything south of the modern freeway loop when picturing what we've lost..never even really thought much about the North Loop.  Crazy.

[aknowledgeableperson]

Question.  What does the current view look like?

Don't get me wrong.  It is a shame that many of the buildings were torn down but how would that area look now if those buildings were there and were sitting mostly empty?  We can't prove a "What if" so all we know is what it is now.

This is more for discussion than anything else.

[GRID]

Question.  What does the current view look like?

Don't get me wrong.  It is a shame that many of the buildings were torn down but how would that area look now if those buildings were there and were sitting mostly empty?  We can't prove a "What if" so all we know is what it is now.

This is more for discussion than anything else.

Why would they be empty?  Are you seriously trying to justify tearing down 75% of the building stock of the north side of downtown for surface parking lots, most of which are not even needed or used to capacity?

There is no reason why the north (or south or east) side of downtown couldn't look more like the west side of Downtown today...

[KCFutbol]

Or at Sprint. The executive boardrooms are nice but several notches below the old R.A. Long boardroom, and the Scarritt Arcade blows away the Wintergarden.

I'm guessing stockholders would scream bloddy murder if the kind of money required to replicate these structures was spent by today's CEO's.

As always, it's all about money.

[aknowledgeableperson]

Why would they be empty? 

How many empty buildings sat for years downtown?  How many buildings were almost empty for years downtown?  How many buildings are currently empty or almost empty now downtown?

[moderne]

The building labeled as the "Manufacturers Exchange #16" was originally the Board of Trade Building, arguabley the most signifigant architectural masterpiece ever erected in KC.

[im2kull]

How many empty buildings sat for years downtown?  How many buildings were almost empty for years downtown?  How many buildings are currently empty or almost empty now downtown?

As with all things, Occupancy rates are a very Fluid situation...to say the least.

[beautyfromashes]

I'm guessing stockholders would scream bloddy murder if the kind of money required to replicate these structures was spent by today's CEO's.

As always, it's all about money.

Back when these structures were built the marketplace was local.  You would build an iconic building that would be seen by your customers and reflect on the product or service you were selling.  Today, the market is all over the country or all over the world even.  One building that is only seen by 5% of your market doesn't carry as much weight.