Westport
-
- City Center Square
- Posts: 14667
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 pm
- Location: Valentine
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
[quote="brewcrew1000"][quote="longviewmo"][quote]Areas such as Martini Corner in the 31st Street and Gillham Road area, Brookside, Waldo and the new Prairiefire center in south Johnson County allow consumers to go out for a drink closer to home.[/quote]
One of these is not like the others.[/quote]
I would actually argue Martini Corner is not like the others. I think Brookside and Waldo are much more Suburban and similar to Prarirefire than what Martini Corner is. There were times that Brookside and Waldo were the So Johnson County of KC, I doubt Martini Corner was ever like that.[/quote]
Geography aside, BKS, Waldo, Westport, and Martini Corner are all filled with eclectic, independent, locally owned restaurants and bars in charming, walkable building stock. Prarie Fire will load up on suburb friendly corporate crap like rock and brew, wasabi and whatever concepts they can keep paying PBJ to roll out.
One of these is not like the others.[/quote]
I would actually argue Martini Corner is not like the others. I think Brookside and Waldo are much more Suburban and similar to Prarirefire than what Martini Corner is. There were times that Brookside and Waldo were the So Johnson County of KC, I doubt Martini Corner was ever like that.[/quote]
Geography aside, BKS, Waldo, Westport, and Martini Corner are all filled with eclectic, independent, locally owned restaurants and bars in charming, walkable building stock. Prarie Fire will load up on suburb friendly corporate crap like rock and brew, wasabi and whatever concepts they can keep paying PBJ to roll out.
- KCPowercat
- Ambassador
- Posts: 34063
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 12:49 pm
- Location: Quality Hill
- Contact:
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
1890sbrewcrew1000 wrote:I would actually argue Martini Corner is not like the others. I think Brookside and Waldo are much more Suburban and similar to Prarirefire than what Martini Corner is. There were times that Brookside and Waldo were the So Johnson County of KC, I doubt Martini Corner was ever like that.longviewmo wrote:One of these is not like the others.Areas such as Martini Corner in the 31st Street and Gillham Road area, Brookside, Waldo and the new Prairiefire center in south Johnson County allow consumers to go out for a drink closer to home.
- KCMax
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 24051
- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:31 pm
- Location: The basement of a Ross Dress for Less
- Contact:
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
Normal Human is now open at 827 Westport Road. Saw their t-shirts at Boulevardia and liked them a lot, so take a look.
http://www.nrmlhmn.com/
http://www.nrmlhmn.com/
-
- Bryant Building
- Posts: 3890
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:19 pm
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
I went to the opening, and the store looks great. The mayor showed up, evidently due to a tweet about the event.KCMax wrote:Normal Human is now open at 827 Westport Road. Saw their t-shirts at Boulevardia and liked them a lot, so take a look.
http://www.nrmlhmn.com/
-
- Mark Twain Tower
- Posts: 8519
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 2:27 pm
- Location: milky way, orion arm
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
The city core needs several more nook&cranny small eat lounges doing this, is what gives cities depth...
http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives ... last-night
http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives ... last-night
- slimwhitman
- Western Auto Lofts
- Posts: 502
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:29 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
The Q is changing color...
This reminds me a bit of the 1960s when we covered up all those icky 50 year old buildings only to cherish them later and repair the damage caused during the earlier coverup. In 2030, they will strip this building back down and try to make it look like it did before. I am not saying the renovation wont look good, just that this is a common theme in life. The brick just seemed 'right' for Westport.
This reminds me a bit of the 1960s when we covered up all those icky 50 year old buildings only to cherish them later and repair the damage caused during the earlier coverup. In 2030, they will strip this building back down and try to make it look like it did before. I am not saying the renovation wont look good, just that this is a common theme in life. The brick just seemed 'right' for Westport.
-
- Bryant Building
- Posts: 4209
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:25 am
- Location: brookside
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
Painting brick should be a crime.slimwhitman wrote:The Q is changing color...
This reminds me a bit of the 1960s when we covered up all those icky 50 year old buildings only to cherish them later and repair the damage caused during the earlier coverup. In 2030, they will strip this building back down and try to make it look like it did before. I am not saying the renovation wont look good, just that this is a common theme in life. The brick just seemed 'right' for Westport.
- beautyfromashes
- One Park Place
- Posts: 7290
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:04 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
IDK, I think in this case it might be justified. Looking at the picture, I realize that I never even have noticed the hotel. A more modern, bright exterior probably will draw more people to the hotel. Plus, it's not like its any architectural gem. It's time to kill 1980.
-
- Bryant Building
- Posts: 4209
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:25 am
- Location: brookside
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
I think your post proves the original point exactly. What's not old enough to be "historic" now is quickly discarded or changed, while the next generation might be trying to reverse those changes.beautyfromashes wrote:IDK, I think in this case it might be justified. Looking at the picture, I realize that I never even have noticed the hotel. A more modern, bright exterior probably will draw more people to the hotel. Plus, it's not like its any architectural gem. It's time to kill 1980.
- beautyfromashes
- One Park Place
- Posts: 7290
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:04 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
I understand the preservationists guidebook says, "Never paint brick!". I get it. But, how many old growth wood floors are in place today because they were carpeted over? How many plaster crown moldings are in place because of drop ceilings? If this is an architectural gem in 50 years (we all know it won't be) then steam clean off the paint. I think this update will make that area of Westport better and turn a dated, 1980s suburban style hotel into something modern, clean and new.lock+load wrote:I think your post proves the original point exactly. What's not old enough to be "historic" now is quickly discarded or changed, while the next generation might be trying to reverse those changes.
-
- Oak Tower
- Posts: 5554
- Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 2:50 pm
- Location: Mount Hope
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
The brick gave Westport some continuity and theme. This suburban stucco-fication is like what Highwoods is doing to the Plaza.
-
- Bryant Building
- Posts: 3850
- Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:12 pm
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
They will now blend more readily with the Sonic next door.moderne wrote:The brick gave Westport some continuity and theme. This suburban stucco-fication is like what Highwoods is doing to the Plaza.
- slimwhitman
- Western Auto Lofts
- Posts: 502
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:29 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
suburban style?beautyfromashes wrote:I think this update will make that area of Westport better and turn a dated, 1980s suburban style hotel into something modern, clean and new.
For me, the building was a nice contributor to Westport. It is architecturally forgettable, but not bad. That is Westport....a bunch of bland brick buildings that contribute to the greater whole. This building does not want to stand out. Why do architects think every building must stand on its own...trying to be better than the next (or last). A good building that blends with its surroundings is a better fit for Westport than a 'great' piece of architecture that doesn't fit in or consider the surrounding context. It can still be 'modern' AND fit the overall Westport theme.
- beautyfromashes
- One Park Place
- Posts: 7290
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:04 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
Ok. What style is it?slimwhitman wrote:suburban style?
- slimwhitman
- Western Auto Lofts
- Posts: 502
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:29 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
As urban as you can get without a parking structure. No visible parking from Westport Road makes it a good contributor to the corridor.beautyfromashes wrote:Ok. What style is it?slimwhitman wrote:suburban style?
- beautyfromashes
- One Park Place
- Posts: 7290
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:04 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
To each his own, I guess. That dark blank brick just says 1980s modern Residents Inn to me. I wouldn't say that it currently fits in with Westport at all, just because it has brick. Of course, some people thought the apartments on the Plaza they were going to tear out fit with a Spanish style.slimwhitman wrote:As urban as you can get without a parking structure. No visible parking from Westport Road makes it a good contributor to the corridor.
-
- Bryant Building
- Posts: 4209
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:25 am
- Location: brookside
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
Carpet and drop ceilings are not in the same category as painting brick. Removing carpet or a drop ceiling is relatively easy. Paint is much more permanent. It can be removed, but it is expensive and difficult.beautyfromashes wrote:I understand the preservationists guidebook says, "Never paint brick!". I get it. But, how many old growth wood floors are in place today because they were carpeted over? How many plaster crown moldings are in place because of drop ceilings? If this is an architectural gem in 50 years (we all know it won't be) then steam clean off the paint. I think this update will make that area of Westport better and turn a dated, 1980s suburban style hotel into something modern, clean and new.
- beautyfromashes
- One Park Place
- Posts: 7290
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:04 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
Not really. I've had it done to buildings before. It depends on the condition of the paint, how many layers and such, but it's about the same as painting and you get the better look. Took two days for a six-plex apartment.lock+load wrote:Carpet and drop ceilings are not in the same category as painting brick. Removing carpet or a drop ceiling is relatively easy. Paint is much more permanent. It can be removed, but it is expensive and difficult.
-
- Mark Twain Tower
- Posts: 9862
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:54 am
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
the plaza was designed to be a suburban shopping center for his suburban home developments along Ward Parkway. department stores, gas station, movie theatremoderne wrote:The brick gave Westport some continuity and theme. This suburban stucco-fication is like what Highwoods is doing to the Plaza.
it's constantly changing, don't assign it some arbitrary never changing urban masterpiece ideal to it, since that's not what it is.
-
- Hotel President
- Posts: 3258
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:25 am
- Location: West Plaza
Re: Westport's fate post-P&L
The term "suburban" in the 20's-50's was different than the 50's on.
Independence avenue was a suburb of downtown at the time it was built.
Independence avenue was a suburb of downtown at the time it was built.