Crossroads Hotel Opening in October, 131-Room Historic Renovation Project

The Crossroads Hotel is opening this October at 21st and Central streets, reviving the historic Pabst Brewing and Pendergast buildings as a 131-room boutique hotel and rooftop bar.

In a press release, Chicago-based Aparium Hotel Group said the hotel, which will feature three restaurants and bars including the rooftop, is accepting reservations for stays beginning Oct. 16.

The Aparium hotel project has been more than two years in the making, and will add a distinctive art-oriented style to take advantage of its location in the Crossroads Arts District.

“In the spirit of its neighborhood, the Crossroads Hotel will include a 2,000 square-foot public gallery and studio space for an ongoing artist-in-residence program,” according to the release.

“The program draws from and will give life back to the surrounding arts district through exhibitions, artist commissions, performances and unexpected artist-driven experiences that will enliven the hotel.”

And in an interesting twist, el dorado architecture, the Kansas City designer of the new hotel, also will curate the arts program. Simeone Deary Design Group of Chicago partnered on the project.

Renovation has been underway since last summer on the historic Pendergast and Pabst Brewing buildings at 21st and Central.

The redevelopment project traces its roots back to 2012 when different developers won tax incentives to renovate the historic buildings as office, residential and restaurant space. Aparium acquired the properties in 2015 with a hotel in mind.

The Pabst Brewing building at 2101 Central opened in 1911 as beer bottling and distribution facility. The Pendergast building at 2107 Central originally was an expansion of the Pabst Brewing operation.

In the 1920s, it was leased by famed Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast for his distilling company.

The Aparium release describes the new Crossroads Hotel as featuring several food and beverage concepts including Lazia, a modern Italian steakhouse; Percheron, an “energetic” indoor and outdoor rooftop beer garden, and XR, an all-day casual eatery and bar.

And in a similar approach to the newly-opened 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City in the former Savoy Hotel, the Crossroads Hotel will have a strong art component.

The hotel will include a 2,000 square-foot public gallery and studio space for an ongoing artist-in-residence program, according to the release.

“The program draws from and will give life back to the surrounding arts district through exhibitions, art commissions, performances and unexpected artist-driven experiences that will enliven the hotel,” the release stated.

The XR all-day casual eatery and bar will be located by the lobby. (Image by SONNY+ASH)

The hotel’s unique wallpaper was designed by local tattoo artist Mikey Wheeler; it’s ceramic lighting was hand-painted by Melanie Sherman and there are handcrafted pieces by Castilleja Furniture.

There also will be collaborations with Messenger Coffee and J. Rieger & Co. distillery.

In addition to the gallery space, there will be a 9,000 square-foot event space that includes the lobby; a 3,000 square-foot ballroom, and several boardrooms.

“We are excited to bring our signature hospital style and blend it with the contagious energy of this city to ensure the Crossroads Hotel is a meaningful addition to the neighborhood and a sought-out destination for travelers,” Mario Tricoci, co-founder and CEO of Aparium said in a statement.

Downtown Kansas City has been undergoing a boom in hotel construction and announcements over the past year. Last week, plans for a 242-room Drury Hotel at 1211 McGee St. were disclosed, bringing the number of rooms either completed or in the pipeline to more than 2,100.

The hotel will include hospitality suites with bars, billiards and meeting areas. (Image by SONNY+ASH)

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