8th & Central (above The Phoenix)

[scooterj]

Anyone know what's going on here?  Anything interesting or just routine maintenance?

[DaveKCMO]

nothing in kiva. must be exterior cleaning?

[KCLofts]

Not sure about the exterior work, but the top floor and roof is being sold for residential/office space.

[Thaine]

Asbestos removal?

[winston]

The exterior brick is being tuckpointed.
Second floor is going to be an amenities center for SoHo Lofts.
Third floor is under contract to a private buyer.

[FangKC]

The Phoenix Hotel is among the oldest buildings left in Kansas City, and among only 40 documented pre-1900 structures remaning in and around the downtown loop.  It was constructed in 1888, and at one time served as a brothel.  The building housing the Majestic Steakhouse (old Fitzpatrick Tavern-1911) also operated a brothel.

The Phoenix also has one of the best examples of art nouveau ironwork used on the west entrance.  To my knowledge, it may be the only real significant art nouveau style ironwork left in the city.

[loftguy]

Fang, is that ironwork original?

[Tosspot]

We should strive to bring back a percentage of those brothels we lost.

[FangKC]

As far as I know it is.

[medleyj]

It was constructed in 1888, and at one time served as a brothel.

That explains why the interior loby, once used as the entrace to the Old Spaghetti Factory, is so fancy. I always thought it was a bit much for such a small hotel.