KCRag Forum

For a long time, if you got on a certain elevator at Hallmark headquarters, there was an extra button at the top labeled “PH.” You needed a key to get into the Hallmark penthouse. You’d probably never been there, but knew someone who had: They reported only that the decor was retro-tastic.

Now the space has been re-purposed and (mostly) redecorated as a meeting space, and renamed the Executive Conference Center. It’s still fabulous, but sounds a little less swanky and alluring than “The Penthouse.” So we were thrilled when Hallmark Historian Samantha B. gave us a peek into what was a mid-century modern showcase. Here’s what she shared with us.

Midtownkid wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:08 pm 'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

smh wrote: ↑Wed Jul 17, 2019 3:41 pm

Midtownkid wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:08 pm 'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

Hopefully a building.

FangKC wrote: ↑Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:31 pm Imo, the artwork should be moved somewhere else, where it's still prominent. It's taking up a priority parcel needed for heavy-density along a future streetcar line. Since the west side of Main from Pershing to 27th Street is never going to be developed, you need to utilize every available parcel on the east side of the stretch to 31st Street. Tax revenue and usage are needed from adjacent parcels to help fund the streetcar. The east side of Main needs to make up for no revenue from the west side.

herrfrank wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:21 pm Milano is closing. The restaurant was formerly the "Crystal Pavilion," home to endless prom dates in the 1980s. It was not part of the original Crown Center build-out but appeared a few years later in 1982.

The staff from Milano are moving to "One East" as in 1 E. Pershing Road, the new name for the Brasserie at the Westin Crown Center hotel. Milano was technically part of the F&B department of that hotel. (Why wouldn't you use the too-perfect name "Blackjack" for a bar or restaurant on Pershing Road?)

Crown Center will be splitting the Milano space in two: A Starbucks will be going in where the bar area is, and a counter-service barbecue restaurant "Burnt Ends" will take the pavilion room. PB&J of YaYa's Eurobistro will operate.

Highlander wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:09 am While I hate to see the departure of an Italian restaurant (the core has too few - down to Gorozzos, Anthony's and Lydia's now?)

Midtownkid wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:08 pm 'Tripple Crown' is being dismantled today. Anyone know where it is going? What is going in its place?

You forget new additions Farina and Lazia.

normalthings wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 9:04 pm Two million SF of mixed-use development in a walkable setting, including over 750,000 SF office, 50,000 SF retail, and 1.2 million SF multi-family housing. Prepared by Goody Clancy for Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.

normalthings wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 9:04 pm Two million SF of mixed-use development in a walkable setting, including over 750,000 SF office, 50,000 SF retail, and 1.2 million SF multi-family housing. Prepared by Goody Clancy for Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.