(CHICAGO—August 7, 2015)— Aparium Hotel Group, known for creating and managing locally-inspired independent hotels, is pouring new life into the historic Pabst and Pendergast buildings (2101-2107 Central Avenue, Kansas City, MO), transforming the former bottling and distribution plant and warehouse buildings into an upscale, independently-branded hotel. The hotel is scheduled to open in mid-2017, adding further vibrancy to Kansas City’s burgeoning Crossroads Arts District neighborhood.
A joint venture between Chicago-based Aparium Hotel Group and Agman Partners recently acquired the adjacent buildings with plans to develop into a unique hospitality destination. Designed by local architectural firm el dorado inc, the hotel will feature approximately 125 guest rooms, meeting spaces, and ground-floor food and beverage venues that complement the neighborhood and marry local and regional sourcing with Aparium’s Michelin-star recognized culinary talent, in an awe-inspiring atmosphere.
“We look forward to unveiling our plans to transform these incredible buildings into a destination that thoughtfully embraces the history and the character of the community,” says Mario Tricoci, Aparium Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner. “We’re thrilled to be a part of a flourishing, culturally rich, and dynamic neighborhood in Kansas City, known for its art gallery district and renowned culinary scene that welcomes locals and travelers alike to experience a new destination.”
Adds David Dowell, AIA, principal of el dorado inc, “This project is unfolding at a pivotal moment in the renaissance of urban Kansas City, specifically the Crossroads Arts District. It’s going to be a great gathering place for locals and visitors in one of the neighborhood’s irreplaceable, vintage warehouse buildings. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it.”
The building was originally constructed in 1911 as a bottling and distribution plant for The Pabst Brewing Company. The company expanded its offices with the addition of what later became known as the Pendergast Building, which was named for political boss Tom Pendergast, whose Pendergast Distilling Company leased the building in the 1920s. Pendergast Distilling Company sold near-beer and bottled water during the Prohibition Era and was “rumored” to run an elaborate bootleg liquor operation in that location. Later, the Pabst building served as a warehouse for the Jones Store Company and then Davidson Furniture Company while the Pendergast building became a warehouse for various furniture and hardware companies.
This joint venture adds to Aparium’s collection of independently-branded properties developed to become an integral component of each community, and in many cases bringing new life to historic buildings. Aparium Hotel Group’s portfolio consists of a mixture of owned, operated, and developed properties. Hotels in which the company has ownership, part-ownership, and manages operations include The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, WI, a 100-year-old warehouse transformed to a one-of-a-kind hotel; Hotel Covington in Covington, KY (opening 2016); Detroit Foundation Hotel located in Detroit’s historic Fire Department Headquarters (opening 2016); and The Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis’ Jackson Building (opening 2016). Managed properties include The Charmant Hotel in the historic former Joseph B. Funke Candy Co. in La Crosse, WI, opening this summer; and The MC Hotel in Montclair, NJ (opening 2016).
