POSTPONED TO JAN 31st: January Gathering at the Louis Curtiss Studio Building

Currently under redevelopment, this historic three-story downtown building was designed by Kansas City architect Louis Curtiss in 1909. Upon completion Curtiss used the building as his studio and lavish residence for the rest of his life. While living and working in this building, he designed more than two hundred structures for clients across the country, including train depots, private residences and government buildings. 

in the early 1900s the building consisted of rental space for shops at the street level, Curtiss' office and studio on the second floor, and his apartment on the top floor. The building was put on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Below is an image from 1989.

Curtiss has often been compared to Frank Lloyd Wright although he was known for being much more playful with his designs, relying on his quirky and flamboyant personality. For instance, he chose only to wear white clothing, cut his own hair, paid his rent in gold, continually smoked monogrammed Turkish cigarettes, and drove recklessly through the city. Curtiss was one of the first individuals to own an automobile in Kansas City, and he loved to roar through the streets in his Winton Runabout, which had a top speed of thirty miles an hour.

Curtiss designed numerous homes in Kansas City, Kansas' Westheight Manor neighborhood in his final years, notably the Bernard Corrigan residence at 55th and Ward Parkway, the Miller residence at 2204 Washington Blvd in KCK, and the Tromanhauser residence at 3603 West Roanoke.

Louis Curtiss died at his drafting table in 1924 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Kansas City's Mt. Washington Cemetery.

Join us to learn more about this intriguing Kansas City architect and what the plans are to renovate his historic studio. 

The venue will still be under construction during our meeting so it will be a little rough, be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Street parking is available.