KCRag Forum

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:48 am**

Did anyone notice this tidbit the bottom of Joyce Smith's column today?

Developers are renovating a five-level building at 1118 McGee St. for an entertainment complex that will include an upscale restaurant, a bar with a dance floor and professional stage, a game room, a special-event space and bed-and-breakfast suite, and a rooftop cafe. The complex will be called Studio Restaurant & Bar.

I tried to do a search for an existing thread but kept getting server errors, so forgive me if this has already been discussed. Sounds like a cool spot a couple of blocks north of the arena. Anybody know any more?

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:53 am**

I saw that in the paper also. It sounds like a pretty cool space. I cannot recall what the building looks like, or whats around it. But, this is the kind of development that the arena and the P&L district will encourage. Bravo!

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:15 am**

kiva is your friend:

http://kivaweb.kcmo.org/kivanet/2/proje ... 9&jur=KCMO

it's on the kansas city and national register of historic buildings as the "Louis Curtiss Studio Building".

owner is:

PLESCIA ENTERPRISES LLC
716 E 91ST ST
KANSAS CITY, MO, 64131

ordinance 060896 approved unanimously by city council on 8/17/06:

Notice received by the City Clerk from the Planned Industrial Expansion Authority of Kansas City, Missouri regarding a Notice of Intent to Accept the Redevelopment Contract Proposal submitted by Plescia Enterprises, LLC for redevelopment of 1118 McGee project in the Downtown Loop PIEA Redevelopment Area.

info on the developer (from google cache):

Tony Plescia

Experience
Reece & Nichols: One Company, One Resource, One Solution. Reece & Nichols lists and sells more homes in Kansas City than any other local or national company.
Reece & Nichols has over 2200 sales associates that would rather sell your house than one listed by a competitor.
With over $5 Billion in sales in 2001, Reece & Nichols brings experience and exposure unmatched by any other firm.
President/CEO of Plescia Enterprises, L.L.C. a Real-Estate Investment and Renovation Company since 1989. Approved direct vendor for Fannie Mae as a contractor since 1992.
Skilled in virtually all trades of home construction/repair/renovation to offer knowledgeable insight for any home.

Organizations
Our computerized COOP and Cross-Referencing appointment setting system makes it easier for any Realtor in town to show your home.
Our membership in RELO, whose members produced over $212 billion in sales in 2000, brings us an additional source of buyers for your home
Member, National Association of REALTORS
Member, Heartland MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
Member, National Locksmiths Association.
Voted Honorary Member Tribe of Mic-O-Say

Education
St. Joseph Grade School, Shawnee, KS
Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, MO
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Career Education Systems, Real-Estate Pre-License
Reece & Nichols Corporate Training Facility, Post license
Foley Belsaw Institute of Locksmithing
ICS School of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:18 am**

also, some history...

http://www.downtownkc.org/content.aspx? ... xCompID=82

[quote]Contractor may have to sell Curtis studio, 6/28/2005
By Brian Burnes, The Kansas City Star

The downtown bachelor pad of Louis Curtiss, one of Kansas Cityâ€™s most influential architects, needs a rescue.

Curtissâ€™ former home and studio at 1118-1120 McGee St. has been undergoing renovation by a Kansas City contractor, but he says he has run out of money and may have to sell it.

That worries those who treasure Kansas Cityâ€™s architectural legacy. Curtiss is regarded as a father of the modern glass office building, but he is also remembered for cutting an entrance from his third-floor apartment to gain free access to a burlesque house next-door.

â€œLouis Curtiss was the Frank Lloyd Wright of Kansas City, and the building has a huge amount of historical context,â€

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:25 am**

cribbed from flickr, will get a proper one later:

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:35 am**

The owner has been proposing this for several years. Lets hope he can pull it off now and save this gem. There once was a theatre to the south and Curtiss had a door cut through so he could see the performances without having to go outdoors.

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:02 am**

DaveKCMO wrote: cribbed from flickr, will get a proper one later:

Ah, that building. I like it. Hopefully this is a success.

Posted: **Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:57 pm**

Ah yes.... I've walked by this building several times and thought to myself that this would be a shoo-in to be fixed up and reopened after the arena opens. Looks like my timetable has been beat.

Posted: **Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:33 pm**

proper pix:

Posted: **Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:24 pm**

all the windows are covered now and lots of clinkity-clankity sounds emanating from within.

Posted: **Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:43 pm**

That building is significant in that it commonly cited as being one of two of the first metal and glass curtain wall buildings constructed in the United States. The other being the Boley Building--also designed by Louis Curtiss. Both buildings were constructed around the same time -- in the years 1908-09. I believe the Boley Building was completed first, so it is considered the first metal and glass curtain wall building completed in the USA.

Posted: **Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:15 pm**

"Dance floor & professional stage." This makes me wonder who will be performing... comedians, queens, musicians, ???? Hopefully this place will offer something that doesn't exist downtown now. It'd be great to have something different.

Posted: **Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:21 pm**

sokkerdewd wrote: "Dance floor & professional stage." This makes me wonder who will be performing... comedians, queens, musicians, ???? Hopefully this place will offer something that doesn't exist downtown now. It'd be great to have something different.

Isn't this for the business with multiple personality disorder - the sushi bar/italian restaurant/nightclub/karaoke bar/sports bar/whatever else we can think of?

Posted: **Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:23 pm**

LenexatoKCMO wrote: Isn't this for the business with multiple personality disorder - the sushi bar/italian restaurant/nightclub/karaoke bar/sports bar/whatever else we can think of?

I think that is the one next to Arun on Walnut in the CBD, unless I'm missing an MPD business.

Posted: **Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:33 pm**

I think your right - there surely isn't enough market DT for two sushi bar/italian restaurant/nighclub/karaoke bar/sports bars. Hell, once one opens, there may not be a market for any other DT bar restaurant period

Posted: **Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:40 pm**

LenexatoKCMO wrote: I think your right - there surely isn't enough market DT for two sushi bar/italian restaurant/nighclub/karaoke bar/sports bars. Hell, once one opens, there may not be a market for any other DT bar restaurant period

I guess we'll find out. Last night, I was thinking that I'd like to go to a sushi bar/italian restaurant/nightclub/karaoke bar/sports bar but I couldn't think of one, so I just stayed in. It might do okay.

Posted: **Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:09 pm**

This block is in pretty bad shape. If I remember correctly it has a completely vacant lot directly north of the building and then rubs up against a parking garage on the other side. Not to mention McGee being very dead in the loop. This building is very much worth saving. The only half way justifiable reason to lose it if somebody developed the whole block into offices, residential, and retail....but that isn't likely. You would think housing this close to the entertainment district would be ideal.
And like with any super districts (KC-Live, Block E, Times Square, etc) the more urban enthusiast is looking for action a couple blocks from the obvious center. We are already seeing people comprehending this notion with the development going south towards Crown Center along Grand.

Posted: **Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:58 am**

I doubt it would ever be torn down because of the uproar that would ensue from local preservationists and architects. The only scenario I could imagine if it were completely destroyed by fire.

The renovation of the Professional and Argyle buildings might make it a bit more marketable location. With so many government workers nearby, I would think it would be a good location for a nice restaurant. Not a fast-food place, but something with linens and real plates and silverwear. A place to smooze and have retirement lunches for employees. A restaurant similar to--or on the level of--Harry's Westport, J.J.'s, Pierpont's, Lydia's, City Tavern, Zin, Majestic Steakhouse, or Savoy Grill might find a customer base there. Being out of the way might be an advantage after awhile when the P&L District opens. Downtown workers and residents on the east side might tire of mingling with tourists and conventioneers during lunch.

Posted: **Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:54 pm**

The first floor housed a rock bar called Benders for a minute back in '02.

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:53 am**

It must be true now, it's on these internets

http://www.thestudiodowntown.com/

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