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Synopsis:
The Power & Light District is a vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood in downtown Kansas City that links together the Kansas City Convention Center to the west and the new Sprint Center arena to the east. More than 20 establishments are currently open, and the $850 million district will offer more than 40 dining and entertainment venues when it's completed in 2009. The District features vibrant lighting and landscaping, outdoor seating for restaurants, nightlife and a permanent, covered performance stage for live entertainment. The new district anchors $3.5 billion of complimentary development in downtown Kansas City, such as the new H&R Block world headquarters, which features a 300-seat theater for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
Full Story:
Like many American cities, Kansas City is working to reenergize its downtown, making it not only a place to work, but to live and play as well. Following the completion of numerous apartment and condominium projects over the past few years, throngs of residents have moved back to the city's urban heart. Thanks to the Power & Light District, an $850 million entertainment district, downtown now attracts legions of new visitors as well.
Plans for this eight-square-block entertainment, retail, office and residential district were unveiled in December 2003. A major component of the Power & Light District is the new world headquarters for Kansas City-based tax giant H&R Block. The projects were announced jointly.
The Power & Light District provides a vital linkage between downtown Kansas City's core office buildings, convention center, hotels, residential units and attractions. Developed in partnership with the City of Kansas City, Mo., and the Kansas City Economic Development Council, the first phase was completed in spring 2008. This phase totals approximately 425,000 square feet of retail/entertainment space with an investment of $330 million. Upon completion of the second phase, the $850 million district will also contain 1,500 residential units and approximately one million square feet of office space.
The District includes diverse amenities and imaginative architecture encompassing leading entertainment and retail concepts. It transforms itself from a thriving lunch and retail destination during the day to a unique and exciting dining and entertainment experience during the evening. The District features innovative open storefronts, broad brick-paved sidewalks, extensive landscaping and a block called Kansas City Live! with a permanent performance stage for live entertainment.
H&R Block moved its new world headquarters and 1,500 employees to the Power & Light District in October 2006. The headquarters occupies a 525,000-square-foot, 19-story office building. Design elements of the building include a two-story glass lobby connecting the high-rise and low-rise structures featuring a 20-foot tall natural stone "water wall" surrounded by a seating area with bamboo flooring and an European-inspired piazza. The piazza is marked by a clock tower and broad canopies, and filled with outdoor seating. The building also includes a 300-seat theater that serves as the second home of the Kansas City Repertory Theater. Construction of the $138 million headquarters began in October 2004, and was completed in October 2006.
The Power & Light District was developed by the Baltimore-based Cordish Company, one of the country's leading developers of retail/entertainment and mixed-use projects in the United States. Other entertainment developments of the Cordish Company include the Power Plant in Baltimore, Bayou Place in Houston, Trolley Square in Salt Lake City and The Boulevard at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md. The Cordish Company specializes in entertainment retail centers and has won an unprecedented five Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence, the highest possible national award for excellence in development. No other developer in the United States has equaled this achievement.
What you'll find in the Power & Light District:
• Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant (hand-crafted beer and made-from-scratch food)
• Howl at the Moon (dueling piano bar)
• Bristol Seafood Grill (2nd location for local seafood legend)
• Tengo Sed Cantina (high-energy hangout with south-of-the-border flavor)
• Angel's Rock Bar (rock bar with live and recorded music)
• Lucky Strike Lanes (the coolest bowling alley you've ever seen)
• Bice Bistro, Café & Lounge (Italian three ways, upscale bistro, casual walk-up or wine lounge)
• Vinino (southern European wine bar and bistro)
• McFadden's Sports Saloon (Irish-themed sports bar)
• Raglan Road (Irish pub made in Ireland, literally)
• Mosaic (DJs in a sexy South Beach-style lounge)
• Famous Dave's Barbecue (award-winning barbecue)
• Chefburger (locally-owned, create-your-own burger restaurant)
• Shark Bar (nightlife with a Caribbean flair)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (national mexican restaurant chain)
• Sprint Studio (retail shop)
• Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge (premium Kentucky bourbon in sophisticated setting)
• Ted's Montana Grill (national restaurant chain)
• Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (more than 225 beers from more than 15 countries)
• The Midland by AMC (3,000 capacity live music venue)
• Yummo (gourmet soft-serve yogurt and smoothies)
• Peachtree Restaurant (delicious soul food served on white tablecloths)
Coming Soon
• AMC Mainstreet Theater (6-screen all-digital theater)
• Tangerine (favorites from the Far East in a contemporary urban atmosphere)
• The Fudgery ("fudge theater")
Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention &
Visitors Association.
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