KCRag Forum

Holiday Inn sign is gone. Not sure when it was removed

This site shows 'pre-design' activity as of Aug 19...
https://www.construction.com/projects/? ... uery=hotel

Does anyone think the Aladdin Hotel will reopen under a new franchise before the World Cup?

FangKC wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 4:53 am Does anyone think the Aladdin Hotel will reopen under a new franchise before the World Cup?

Seems like a no-brainer, but why on earth isn't someone pursuing affordable housing here??!?!

It seems it should remain a hotel seeing that it was designed to be a hotel. Converting it to housing would require the entire building to be reconfigured to remove walls and install kitchens.

It also makes sense because of the location. Why keep opening new hotels in spots at a greater distance from the convention center and not keep the Aladdin a hotel? For example, the proposed Kindler Hotel (1110 Grand), the Canopy by Hilton in the former Palace Clothing Company building, the Embassy Suites in the former Federal Reserve, the Ozark Building / AC Hotel by Marriott at 9th and Grand, the Hyatt House at 9th and Broadway, and the proposed Cambria Hotel (SW Corner of 9th & Wyandotte).

It would make more sense (to me at least) to convert those structures or sites to affordable housing instead of hotels.

I'm still puzzled why the Mark Twain wasn't converted back to hotel use seeing that it has a beautiful banquet/event room and swimming pool in the structure, and retail space for a cocktail lounge.

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:24 pm

FangKC wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 4:53 am Does anyone think the Aladdin Hotel will reopen under a new franchise before the World Cup?

Seems like a no-brainer, but why on earth isn't someone pursuing affordable housing here??!?!

Probably because they think KC Tenants will somehow doom their effort.

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:24 pm

FangKC wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 4:53 am Does anyone think the Aladdin Hotel will reopen under a new franchise before the World Cup?

Seems like a no-brainer, but why on earth isn't someone pursuing affordable housing here??!?!

Which organization in KC could develop affordable housing on this scale?

On the other hand, it could also make incredible hostel with affordable stays for visitors.

Brinshore.

https://www.brinshore.com/portfolio

Dave, you've succombed. Are you now in KC Tenants pocket? Abandoned hope, ye who enter here. You're posting likes its a new you.

I don't think it's a particularly unique or socialist perspective to note that existing structures are better suited for affordable housing than new construction.

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2023 4:07 pm I don't think it's a particularly unique or socialist perspective to note that existing structures are better suited for affordable housing than new construction.

Not to mention retrofitting hotel rooms to affordable units would be significantly more straightforward than say renovating an office building into affordable units.

would be a nice use for it, especially if more residential comes to life with the BAP development proposed. But if they were the only residential it may seem a little out of place being surrounded by hotels right there. Not that it cannot work, just curious placement. Hopefully it would be affordable done right and not some "Section 8" scam job where the minimum is done so the developer & owner can line their pockets

Convention officials have always said planners base their decisions on the number of hotel rooms next to the convention center. Kansas City is already at the low end in that respect compared to other cities. My point is we need to have as many hotel rooms next to Bartle Hall as possible - not 7 to 9 blocks away. Convention planners don't want to make people walk 18 blocks a day back and forth to their rooms (as will be the case with AC Marriott at 9th and Grand, and 16 blocks both ways to Embassy Suites at 10th and Grand).

The Ozark Building at 9th and Grand would probably have been better to convert to affordable housing instead of an AC Marriott Hotel and keep the Aladdin as a hotel. I don't know why Marriott didn't put their AC Marriott brand in the Aladdin instead seeing that it's next to another Marriott property.

I have the same feeling about the former Federal Reserve Bank building. It should probably be apartments and the Muehlebach and Mark Twain (Continental) buildings should have been renovated back into hotel usage instead of apartments.

Lowkey has become one of my favorite buildings downtown. Can't wait for it to be activated once more

When the Aladdin Hotel was completed in 1925 it was considered one of the most luxurious hotels and the tallest building in Kansas City.

One of the gargoyliest buildings in town.

Love me some gargoyles.

Chris Stritzel, we need some drone photos of the gargoyles on the Aladdin.

FangKC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2023 12:01 am Love me some gargoyles.

Chris Stritzel, we need some drone photos of the gargoyles on the Aladdin.

I will add the request to the agenda so when I get well enough to emerge, I’ll send the drone up and get some photos. Really curious to see other details on this building too.

Auction on March 4th, repped by CBRE. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1215-Wy ... /30350495/

Kcrag group buy?