Community Treasures

For Immediate Release
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Alex Greenwood
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Kansas City’s Architectural Treasures Celebrated

H&R Block World Headquarters, Nelson-Atkins Bloch Building and the President Hotel to be Honored at Community Christian Church Gala

KANSAS CITY – Sept 17, 2007 – Three of Kansas City’s most treasured new structures will be celebrated as Community Christian Church marks the 65th anniversary of its church building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as “the church of the future.”

“In recognition of our historic church building’s anniversary, the congregation—through a panel of architectural experts-- has selected three key structures in the Kansas City metro area that enhance the quality of life in our community,” said Rev. Robert Lee Hill, senior minister. “We thought it most appropriate to mark the current architectural renaissance and building boom going on in Kansas City as we celebrated the anniversary of our unique church structure. Buildings that contribute to the potential of excellence in the wider community are certainly worthy of our attention and our enthusiastic appreciation. This is going to be fun!”

The three structures will be honored during a ‘Community Treasures’ celebration on Oct. 27 and 28. The celebration will feature a tour of the honorees and a dinner featuring nationally-known HGTV program host and Kansas City native Constance Ramos.

Several Kansas City buildings were carefully considered as the ultimate “jewels of Kansas City.” The honorees are the H&R Block World Headquarters, Nelson-Atkins Bloch Building and the President Hotel. The structures were chosen as prime examples of architecture and design that make Kansas City a great place to live. The architects, builders and construction firms for each project will be honored.

Kate Schwennsen, Associate Dean of Architecture at Iowa State University, led a team of architects which reviewed the nominees and selected final honorees. About each she noted:

  • The H&R Block building is central to the extraordinary public-private reinvestment in downtown Kansas City. This building is a tremendous investment by the company in its people with an employee-focused design and an exemplary 21st century work environment. As a significant investment to the community, this contributes more than 2,000 employees to downtown life; adds a beautiful, iconic building to the skyline; and provides public space with the plaza, parking and theatre.
  • The Bloch Building has revitalized the Nelson-Atkins Museum, putting it on international “must-visit” lists. It uses the infrastructure of the existing museum and sculpture garden to create a more interesting and engaging environment, and natural resources are used to their fullest advantage in the building and its green roof, blending building and landscape into a sculpture of its own.
  • The President Hotel is a community treasure salvaged from years of neglect by the collective work of private and public advocates. This reclaimed asset is an important addition to downtown Kansas City, recalling the city’s unique past as it helps shape the city’s future.

"It is so appropriate to honor these new architectural wonders. They are more than beautiful additions to the Kansas City landscape. They make our community a better place to live," said Carol Suter, Chairperson of the Community Treasures event.

The weekend celebration is open to the public and includes a tour of each honored structure on Oct. 27, and a celebration dinner at the Downtown Marriott on Oct. 28.

Master of ceremonies at the dinner is KCTV 5 chief meteorologist Katie Horner. Glen S. LeRoy, FAIA, FAICP, dean of the College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan, will present a profile of the 3 honorees. LeRoy was also a principal at Kansas City’s Gould Evans Associates from 1990 to 2005.

Dinner guests will enjoy the music of Kansas City jazz performers Millie Edwards, Bill Laursen and Tim Whitmer.

Constance Ramos, host of HGTV’s new show, Color Correction, will make a special keynote presentation about the central significance of architecture in society.

An original member of the design team of the Emmy Award-winning Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Ramos earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kansas State University. She is featured in the book of the show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Official Show Companion Book. Her role as Building and Planning Designer was the perfect outlet for Ramos, combining her prodigious architectural and theatrical talents.

Through her company, Constance Carrell Design, Inc., based in Southern California, she has worked for a variety of corporations, including Walt Disney Imagineering, Mattel, Sony Corporation, I.M. Pei & Partners and her family's firm, Ramos Design Corporation. Her projects consist of the design of commercial structures, multi-family complexes, regional shopping centers, cinemas, themed retail centers, hotels and educational institutions.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Oct. 20 and by check or with a credit card via PayPal.

For more details, please visit www.community-christian.org or call Cheryl in the church office at 816-561-6531.

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