“Kansas City’s living room” is getting a $10 million facelift.
The Cordish Companies, developers of the Kansas City Power and Light District, recently unveiled new plans for the entertainment area
The multi-venue reinvestment project includes a new restaurant, along with giving two others a refresh.
But the emphasis will be on upgrades to the Kansas City Live! Block, dubbed Kansas City’s living room, which has about 6 million visitors a year for the Miller Lite Hot Country Nights concert series, NCAA’s Men’s and Women’s Big 12 Basketball Tournaments, cultural and community gatherings, charity events, New Year’s Eve gatherings, and lively watch parties for sports events of all kinds.
Some of those events, including the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup Championships, have been featured in national and international broadcasts.
The open-air block will get a new exterior canopy, and ceiling heaters and misters to make it more inviting year-round. It will also have new high-definition ribbon boards and enhanced theatrical lighting, expanded group seating areas, fresh landscaping and additional bar access.
The Live! Block will be open during construction, which will be done in phases and expected to be finished before the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in March 2025.
Other reinvestment highlights
- A new Cordish concept, Besos y Abrazos (which translates “hugs and kisses”) will open in spring 2025. The Latin-inspired venue with DJs will offer shareable plates such as Brazilian cheese bread with charred tomatillo crema, loaded tostones with braised beef and pico de gallo, Cuban steak tacos, house-made empanadas and more. Sangria will be made with premium Spanish wines, and it will have tropical rum and tequila-based cocktails with colorful garnishes. Hours have not been finalized.
It is taking the Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge & Beer Garden spot at 1323 Walnut St.
- The patio of Pizza Bar, 1320 Grand Blvd., will be refreshed with new outdoor seating, upgraded finishes and bar.
- Nightclub Mosaic, at 1331 Walnut, will get $2.5 million of the new investment funds for an upgrade and expansion, nearly doubling in size. It will have a state-of-the-art audio system, lighting, and DJ booth backed by a new high-resolution LED wall “creating an immersive experience that rivals any Las Vegas venue,” according to the district. It also will have a new luxury lounge with expansive bar and additional VIP seating, and refreshed patio.
“Mosaic is one of the most successful nightlife venues in the Midwest,” says Eric Coomes, strategic partner and resident DJ of Mosaic, in a statement. “With this renovation, we’re taking things to the next level with the best talent, audio-visual technology and guest experience.”
A previously announced tenant, The Yard Milkshake Bar, is scheduled to open in the Power and Light district in early 2025, at 1350 Walnut – its first metro location.
