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 Synopsis:
Designed by world-renowned architect, Moshe Safdie, this iconic, $405 million Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will sit on a hill just south of the Kansas City Convention Center. It will be the home of the Kansas City Symphony, the Lyric Opera and other arts organizations. The facility will contain a 1,800-seat ballet, opera and theater hall; a 1,600-seat symphonic concert hall and a multipurpose facility called Celebration Hall.
Full Story:
A striking piece of architecture is set to transform the downtown Kansas City skyline forever. One of the world's leading architects is designing a $405 million performing arts center to be built in the heart of Kansas City's downtown district.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will be located south of the Kansas City Convention Center, between Broadway and Wyandotte and 16th and 17th streets on a 17.5-acre lot donated by the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation. The philanthropic organization considered several sites in the metro before buying the land from the family of Texas billionaire Ross Perot. The foundation chose the site because of its central location and freeway access.
The performing arts center selected Boston-based Moshe Safdie and Associates to create the multi-million dollar civic landmark. Safdie was chosen from a field of four internationally recognized architects and is known for his use of dramatic curves, creative arrays of simple geometric patterns and generous use of windows and open spaces.
Nearly $229 million has been pledged to the performing arts center, including $80 million from the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation and $25 million each from the Julia I. Kauffman Donor Advised Fund and the Ewing M. Kauffman Donor Advised Fund. The City of Kansas City, Missouri, has committed $47 million for two parking garages. The Missouri Development Finance Board approved $25 million in Missouri State Tax Credits, which will raise $50 million for the project.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will host performances of the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera and a number of other art organizations. The facility will contain a 1,800-seat ballet/opera hall that will be home to the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera and other events; and a 1,600-seat symphonic concert hall for the Kansas City Symphony and other mid-size musical organizations. A multipurpose facility called Celebration Hall as well as two parking garages are also part of the project.
The groundbreaking for the project occurred in October 2006. The facility is scheduled to open in fall 2010. The performing arts center will be adjacent to the Convention Center ballroom.
Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention &
Visitors Association.
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