The Scarritt Building: Kansas City's Second Skyscraper
818 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO. 64106
History & Architectural Significance (1907)
Completed in 1907, the Scarritt Building was the brainchild of the Scarritt Estate Company, led by the children of Nathan Scarritt—a prominent Methodist minister and real estate pioneer. Rising 11 stories (some records state 12), it was the second skyscraper ever built in Kansas City.
The building was designed by the firm Root & Siemens and is considered the finest local example of the Chicago School of architecture, heavily influenced by the "father of skyscrapers," Louis Sullivan. Its design features a distinctive steel skeleton clad in ornate terracotta trim. Architects particularly note the "light well" between the two towers and the Scarritt Arcade, which boasts one of the last skylighted interior open walls in the city. In 1971, its place in American history was cemented when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Modern Era: From Density to Decay
For much of the 20th century, the Scarritt was a prestigious address, serving as a hub for the gas company and various medical and legal offices. However, the 21st century brought a cycle of failed promises. In 2019, it was acquired by a Florida-based development group with plans for a 193-room luxury hotel. But the project stalled, and the building was left to rot. During this period, the interior suffered extensively; metal thieves stripped the building of its valuable copper and brass, and vandals shattered many of the historic elements that had survived for over a century.
The Fire and The Demise (2020s)
The "demise" of the Scarritt became a public crisis as it sat mostly vacant and unmonitored. The building's state worsened significantly following reports of fire damage and persistent break-ins. In a particularly low point, the previous owners reportedly stopped paying the electric bills, forcing out the few remaining tenants (including a long-standing dental practice) and leaving the structure completely dark.
The situation reached a breaking point in late 2023, when the building was put up for auction with a starting bid of only $4 million—a fraction of its potential value—after the redevelopment plans collapsed. For explorers, this era of the Scarritt represents a "time capsule" of early 1900s opulence, now charred by fire, scarred by scrappers, and surrounded by the "Dangerous Building" notices that often precede a wrecking ball.
The Future: A Music-Themed Rebirth
As of late 2025, there is a glimmer of hope. A $480 million redevelopment plan has been approved to transform the Scarritt into a Universal Music-branded hotel. The project aims to restore the historic shell while adding a modern 24-story residential tower next door. Construction is slated to begin in 2026, meaning my photos document the very last days of the Scarritt in its "abandoned" state before it is either saved by the music industry or further reclaimed by time.
So please enjoy looking through my photos. The only way I know to protect these buildings is to remind people they even exist.
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