A New Chapter Begins for Kansas City's Historic Muehlebach Hotel

Demolition is officially underway at the historic Hotel Muehlebach in Downtown Kansas City, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Originally constructed in 1915, the Muehlebach Hotel has been woven into Kansas City’s history for more than a century. Known as the “White House of the West,” the hotel has hosted presidents, entertainers, athletes and other notable guests, including The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Babe Ruth.

Now, after decades of the upper floors sitting vacant, the building is being reimagined for a new generation. The redevelopment will transform the vacant 4th through 12th floors into approximately 158 Class-A multifamily residences, complemented by a new rooftop amenity deck on the 12th floor. The project is designed to respect the historic character of the original building while introducing modern residential layouts, amenities and building systems.

Davidson A+E is proud to be leading the design team for this important piece of Kansas City’s architectural history. Our work focuses on striking the right balance between preservation and transformation by retaining the details, character and stories that make the Muehlebach unique while preparing the building for its next 100 years.

One of the most recognizable pieces of that history will remain part of the story. The redevelopment includes plans to restore the famous Harry S. Truman Presidential Suite, preserving a tangible connection to the building’s remarkable past.

For us, projects like the Muehlebach are about more than renovating an existing building. They’re about preserving a piece of Kansas City while giving it a purpose and life for the future. With demolition now underway, we’re excited to watch this transformation take shape and to share the progress along the way.