KCRag Forum

On May 26, the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to place the house on the register for its architectural qualities. Their recommendation will next go before the City Plan Commission, possibly this month, and the City Council following that.

Neither of the Vawter brothers live in the house, which is unoccupied. Claiming they were unable to sell the home for the price they wanted, the brothers insist that they should be free to demolish the structure as they see fit and and sell the land for a different purpose, such as a “high rise.” The 12-story Oak Hall apartments are only a few parcels away. Multiple apartment complexes, and the Kansas City Art Institute, sit south and north of of the Warwick home.
It is, in fact, the only single-family residence left on the block.

Although the property currently is not zoned for a high-rise, nearby properties are. Kerr has floated the idea that it could be used as part of a “cultural arts complex” just off of the future streetcar stop on Main Street and leading to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the art institute and the Nelson museum.
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When the property was placed for sale, Ryan Hiser and his partner, David Tran, offered to buy the home for $1.2 million, and to spend an additional $1 million to turn it into a boutique hotel. The partners currently own two boutique hotels in the neighborhood, the Truitt Hotel at 4320 Oak St. and The Aida Hotel KC, 206 E. 44th St.
Their offer was declined.

FangKC wrote: ↑Wed Jun 07, 2023 10:05 pm It seems $1.2 million was not enough for the Vawter brothers.

In a step that moves a 110-year-old mansion closer to demolition, the Kansas City City Plan Commission on Tuesday voted to deny historic designation to the home, whose owners want to sell it as the possible site of a future high-rise.

The commission’s 3-2 vote (with three commissioners absent) is a blow to neighbors and preservationist groups, such as the Historic Kansas City Foundation, which hoped that placing the Classical Revival home on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places would help save it from the wrecking ball. Historic designation would prevent demolition for at least three years.
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That’s because the Plan Commission’s vote is non-binding. It does not seal the fate of the mansion, but instead is a recommendation to be passed along to a committee of the new Kansas City City Council, which was sworn in Tuesday as the commission held its monthly meeting.
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Neighbors meantime, said that seeking historic designation was the only tool available to to them to prevent or slow the Vawters from razing a still beautiful home from a time gone by. They insist that the Vawters have never actually tested the house on the open market, as they have yet to place it on the real estate MLS, the multiple listing service. The Southmoreland neighborhood has other grand homes that have been renovated for other uses. The Simpson House as an event space. Just south of the Vawters’ home is the Jannes Library, a mansion turned to use by the Kansas City Art Institute. No such uses have been explored, they said.
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Midtownkid wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 2:07 pm Rumor is that the developer wants to demolish not only 4526 Warwick, but also the beautiful Simpson House and the Unitarian church. This would create a large development plot. It would really change the scale and feel of that area, in a negative way IMO.



The two houses should be saved (they are very solid and beautiful). They can proceed with demo of the church and associated parking lot. That plot alone should be enough to develop something nice that could generate density and profit.

moderne wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 10:42 am Whitney Kerr is an old spider weaving his web. He says the mansion property not large enough for a high rise footprint and wants also to take the All Souls Unitarian property. They have rejected his offers. He wants to level the mansion and the church for the land with no definite plans. Southmoreland already has two large empty lots.

langosta wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:45 am

moderne wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 10:42 am Whitney Kerr is an old spider weaving his web. He says the mansion property not large enough for a high rise footprint and wants also to take the All Souls Unitarian property. They have rejected his offers. He wants to level the mansion and the church for the land with no definite plans. Southmoreland already has two large empty lots.

Why did we build a $350m rail line to selectively preserve SFH like 1 block away???

If he can get a full deal together with financing, let the mansions go. But, don’t allow him to bulldoze if he doesn’t.

langosta wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:45 am

moderne wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 10:42 am Whitney Kerr is an old spider weaving his web. He says the mansion property not large enough for a high rise footprint and wants also to take the All Souls Unitarian property. They have rejected his offers. He wants to level the mansion and the church for the land with no definite plans. Southmoreland already has two large empty lots.

Why did we build a $350m rail line to selectively preserve SFH like 1 block away???

If he can get a full deal together with financing, let the mansions go. But, don’t allow him to bulldoze if he doesn’t.

langosta wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:45 am

moderne wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 10:42 am Whitney Kerr is an old spider weaving his web. He says the mansion property not large enough for a high rise footprint and wants also to take the All Souls Unitarian property. They have rejected his offers. He wants to level the mansion and the church for the land with no definite plans. Southmoreland already has two large empty lots.

Why did we build a $350m rail line to selectively preserve SFH like 1 block away???

If he can get a full deal together with financing, let the mansions go. But, don’t allow him to bulldoze if he doesn’t.