In Kansas City’s historic Crossroads district, a two-story plumbing supply house, a single-story historic fire station, and the parking lot between them were transformed into a cohesive campus.
Details
Kansas City, MO
Architect: Mantel Teter
32,333 sf (Building One: 27,600 sf / Building Two: 4,733 sf)
Located in Kansas City’s historic Crossroads district, this project converted two existing buildings, including a two-story plumbing supply house and a single-story historic fire station, and the parking lot between them into a cohesive campus.
We extended the existing masonry on the fire station by nine feet to create an additional story and a home for the counseling and education building. The surface parking lot connecting the two structures was reimagined as an artificial turf courtyard and event space, with a new rooftop deck added above.
It was important that the people using the campus experienced the spaces as seamlessly flowing from one to the other. To achieve this, new structural systems were engineered to create column-free sightlines within the worship room, and new structural framing was integrated with existing load-bearing masonry. Large-scale window openings were cut into the reinforced masonry, and contemporary garage doors were installed to create indoor-outdoor access to the new courtyard and entertainment venue.
The historic fire station’s existing dock structure was preserved and repurposed as a performance venue, fitted with a covered canopy and power infrastructure for live events. Corten steel security walls were constructed and installed to allow the courtyard to be easily secured during non-event hours. In a nod to the neighborhood’s artistic identity, existing graffiti murals on interior courtyard walls were preserved and incorporated as intentional design elements.
Audio, video, and lighting systems were fully integrated into the worship venue. New sprinkler systems were installed throughout the historic structures, and comprehensive security camera, alarm, and access control systems were deployed across the entire campus.
Pearce also participated in the pre-purchase evaluation process, assessing the buildings’ structure, utilities, masonry, and site access. We developed full construction cost budgets and provided preconstruction services even before the owner committed to the acquisition.
“In my opinion, a church facility is a unique type of construction that requires a strong team made up of the Owner, Architect, and Contractor. Only with excellent communications and the willingness to work together, will the best designed project at the best cost value be achieved. I know that Pearce Construction Company has the ability and corporate philosophy to be on this kind of a team.”