Hotel Phillips, Kansas City, Missouri, NRHP-listed
The Hotel Phillips is a historic hotel in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, that opened in 1931 and contains 217 rooms across 20 floors. Architects Boillot and Lauck designed the building in Jacobean style, featuring distinctive woodwork, brick, and stone details, with a sculptural focal point called the Goddess of Dawn sculpted by Jorgen Dreyer in the lobby.
The hotel was built in 1931 on the site of the former Glennon Hotel, where future president Harry S. Truman once operated a shop. Its construction during the early years of the Great Depression reflected Kansas City's determination to invest in growth despite economic hardship.
The hotel's name reflects the confidence of Kansas City's business elite during the 1930s, when such grand establishments symbolized civic pride and progress. Visitors walking through the lobby encounter these values expressed in Jacobean details, brick textures, and the prominent sculpture that shaped how people experienced luxury travel in that era.
The hotel sits on 12th Street in the downtown area near many city attractions, making it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding neighborhoods. Its historic details remain visible in public spaces, and the location provides easy access to local points of interest.
The lobby features a sculpture by Jorgen Dreyer, a Kansas City sculptor, created specifically for the hotel when it opened. This artwork demonstrates how the building represented a collaboration between architecture and local craftsmanship during the early 1930s.
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