Power & Light Building, Kansas City
The Kansas City Power and Light Building stands as a distinguished Art Deco skyscraper in Downtown Kansas City. Constructed in 1931 under the leadership of Kansas City Power and Light President and Edison Pioneer Joseph F. Porter, the building was initially envisioned as a beacon of economic hope, aiming to generate new jobs in the heart of the city. Designed by the local architectural firm Hoit, Price, and Barnes, the Power and Light Building swiftly became a prominent feature of the city's skyline.
Upon its completion, the 34-story tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, maintaining this status until the Seattle Space Needle was completed in 1962. The structure remained Missouri's tallest habitable building until One U.S. Bank Plaza in Saint Louis took the title in 1976. The building's east fa莽ade overlooks the Power & Light District, a vibrant area that owes its name to the skyscraper, and its iconic lantern is a symbol of Kansas City, prominently featured on promotional materials and signage for both the district and the city.
After Kansas City Power & Light Company left in 1991, the building remained mostly empty until 2014, when NorthPoint Development transformed it into a residential tower with 210 apartments, 81 more units around a new parking garage, and a lobby repurposed as a premier event space for 500 guests, making it Missouri's tallest residential-only building.
Crowning the Power and Light Building is a stunning Art Deco lantern, adorned with prismatic glass panels that conceal red-orange lights, glowing every evening at sunset. Originally, the building's setbacks were illuminated by multicolor flickering floodlights, creating the impression of blazing flames鈥攁 spectacle that has since been modernized with rotating LED floodlights that continue to enchant onlookers with a vivid display of colors.
Upon its completion, the 34-story tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, maintaining this status until the Seattle Space Needle was completed in 1962. The structure remained Missouri's tallest habitable building until One U.S. Bank Plaza in Saint Louis took the title in 1976. The building's east fa莽ade overlooks the Power & Light District, a vibrant area that owes its name to the skyscraper, and its iconic lantern is a symbol of Kansas City, prominently featured on promotional materials and signage for both the district and the city.
After Kansas City Power & Light Company left in 1991, the building remained mostly empty until 2014, when NorthPoint Development transformed it into a residential tower with 210 apartments, 81 more units around a new parking garage, and a lobby repurposed as a premier event space for 500 guests, making it Missouri's tallest residential-only building.
Crowning the Power and Light Building is a stunning Art Deco lantern, adorned with prismatic glass panels that conceal red-orange lights, glowing every evening at sunset. Originally, the building's setbacks were illuminated by multicolor flickering floodlights, creating the impression of blazing flames鈥攁 spectacle that has since been modernized with rotating LED floodlights that continue to enchant onlookers with a vivid display of colors.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kansas City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Power & Light Building on Map
Sight Name: Power & Light Building
Sight Location: Kansas City, USA (See walking tours in Kansas City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Kansas City, USA (See walking tours in Kansas City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Kansas City, Missouri
Create Your Own Walk in Kansas City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Kansas City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Tour
The historical buildings of Kansas City are truly remarkable, weaving a narrative of rich heritage and enduring elegance reflecting the city's eventful past and lasting beauty.
At its heart, the imposing Kansas City City Hall rises as a prime example of Neo-Classical and Beaux-Arts architecture, a stalwart symbol of civic pride that has stood the test of time.
As you stroll through the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
At its heart, the imposing Kansas City City Hall rises as a prime example of Neo-Classical and Beaux-Arts architecture, a stalwart symbol of civic pride that has stood the test of time.
As you stroll through the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Kansas City Introduction Walking Tour
Kansas City, Missouri, started in the 1830s as a port city at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. The first European explorers to map the area were the French, who named the river 鈥淐ansez,鈥� which eventually morphed into Kansas.
Louis and Clark passed through in 1804, noting that the area was an excellent place to build a fort. The actual settlement didn鈥檛 come until later,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Louis and Clark passed through in 1804, noting that the area was an excellent place to build a fort. The actual settlement didn鈥檛 come until later,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Crossroads Art District Walking Tour
Situated at the intersection of creativity and culture, the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City emerges as a thriving hub of artistic expression and cultural vitality. Formerly the industrial and warehouse area, today it is one of the trendiest art communities in the Midwest. As such, this enclave is the place where many progressive art spots have established themselves.
Among its notable... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Among its notable... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles