The following work was produced as an exercise in urban infill design during my undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The strength of the design and presentation materials prompted a guest critic, Kelvin Simmons of Nexus Group, to invite me to present the materials to an investor that was interested in the site. The project features a detailed 3D Sketchup model and numerous perspectives, plans and elevations that were enhanced using Photoshop.
Through the first half of the 20th Century the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District was the beating heart of Kansas City’s black community. The area featured one of the highest concentrations of black-owned businesses anywhere in the United States, including nightclubs, professional services, newspapers and hotels. It was well known, throughout the nation’s black population, that if you came to Kansas City, 18th & Vine was the place to stay.
Today, the area seeks to regain its once thriving atmosphere after the mistakes of mid-century urban renewal projects robbed it of its lifeblood. The area is now home to museums, concert halls and restaurants that celebrate the massive cultural contribution of Kansas City’s black community.
However, unlike in its heyday, there are no longer hotels to serve the tourists that would flock to the area. Nor is there the population density necessary to give it a 24-hour activity cycle. There are however existing vacancies adjacent to the heart of the district that could serve both those purposes.
My design for these blocks calls for a master-planned development, conducted in 3 phases to return visitors, residents and high-quality neighborhood commercial spaces to the area. The catalyst for this design returns hotel-space to the neighborhood at the prominent corner of 19th & The Paseo.
Phase 1 includes a boutique hotel, just across the street from the historic Paseo Y.M.C.A. The hotel would feature a roof-top ballroom and patio space with excellent views of downtown. A first floor restaurant and lounge would welcome locals and visitors alike with the best of Kansas City cuisine and nightly jazz sessions.
To the east, at 19th & Vine, 2300 sq ft. of mixed use space could serve as small office space or restaurant and retail spaces, with apartments above. Between the hotel and mixed use, a small public courtyard could host tables for a cafe or benches for reading in the shade. A narrow drive encourages hotel guests to take it slow on their way to the entrance of the building’s subterranean garage-space.
Phase 2 fills the southern portion of the block and returns owner-occupied housing to the area via 21 town-homes along The Paseo. These units would all enjoy downtown views out of upper-floor windows and private parking in the rear. To the east, facing Vine Street, 3 large apartment buildings include 48 affordable apartments to serve as workforce housing for the hotel and new commercial spaces. Favorable topographic changes allow for parking below the occupied levels of the building and give upper floors views of downtown. The parking is accessible via an alley drive that serves both the town-homes and apartments. At the end of the drive, a small public area serves the new residents with small gathering spaces and views of passing trains.
Phase 3 encompasses the eastern side of Vine Street and includes a mix of apartments, commercial space, and pocket parks. All units on the sidewalk of 19th and Vine would be reserved for neighborhood serving commercial activity, while the structures behind would be apartment buildings with access from the pocket parks. Parking for the apartments would be behind the commercial spaces and below the apartments, with access via a rear alleyway. The pocket parks create a series of public living rooms for the area with shady places to sit and mingle with the neighbors. Upper floor apartments would have private rooftop space and, thanks to the falling topography from east to west, would have views over the next block to the downtown skyline.
The entire redevelopment includes enhancements to pedestrian and bicycle space to encourage new residents to live car-lite lifestyles. These enhancements, paired with access to nearby public transit, should ease the demand for parking and allow for the density necessary to create a thriving neighborhood.