The Power and Light Building

Not to be confused with the Power & Light District, this landmark is the glowing, art-deco style building *almost* in the dead center of the KC skyline. For starters, let me show my hometown bias here but the KC skyline is an epic skyline. Sure it's not New York or Seattle, but take a second to Google-image search some other U.S. skylines.. Dallas? Yawn. LA? If I could see it through the smog, I might rank it higher. Denver? The mountains add to it, but otherwise it's like a short section of Lego blocks. The KC skyline frames everything, with great views of the city while packing in Union Station, Kauffman Center, T-Mobile Center, Western Auto sign, the fun-if-not-slightly-cheese Marriott light up billboard (which will always be near and dear to me after seeing it after the Chiefs Super Bowl win), and this cool, old building. This one is most known for it's glowing ember up top, that changes colors. Formerly, it announced sun (yellow), or rain (blue). It rings in Pride Month in June, sports themes, Cancer awareness and other seasonal highlights throughout the year. I've never been into this building, but with iconic placement on the skyline, and nearly century old history, it's a cool building that I always appreciate from afar.

We lived here for sometime, and on leaving I feel like we can call it a home. This is a great location and I simply love the building.

Nice downtown attraction. As an out-of-towner, I look for these kinds of unique places so that way when I go home I feel that I have seen something that makes a statement about the city I visited and this is just such a place.

This has always been my favorite building in Kansas City and one of my favorite in the whole world. Built in 1931, this is the crowing jewel of KC's art deco building collection. Growing up I always remember admiring its glowing crown that changes three different colors. I wonder if this building had a lot to do with my decision to become an architect? It still holds a dominate spot on our skyline and commands attention with its dramatic set backs, beautiful details, and glowing crown. A little bit of Gotham in KC. The Power and Light company has not been a tenant for years. Today, the architecture firm, BNIM is the main tenant. Their offices are in the restored ground floor lobby. As of June 2009, there is a proposal to renovate the entire structure and build an addition (connecting to the 'blank' side if the tower). The former office building would become a convention hotel, maybe a W. I just hope they do not compromise the beauty of the original design.