Solution
Spanning multiple project delivery phases, restoring Town Pavilion's legacy as the premier Class A downtown office was a lofty feat.
The project required a mix of facility demolition, renovation and redevelopment, and new construction. Burns & McDonnell was the designer of record for the $4 million modernization.
The project included a renovation that transformed the structure’s three-story rotunda, first-level lobby and common areas. Enhancements to the rotunda included the addition of a concierge center, upgrades to storefronts, installation of art-driven video walls and displays of museum-quality artwork.
Town Pavilion opened in 1986 as a regional headquarters for AT&T Inc., and the interior of the building reflected the original ‘80s aesthetic. One of the project’s key challenges was updating the interior’s dark and out-of-date look to be warmer and more inviting.
To lighten the space, new finishes were used that are more aligned with a modern-day office setting. Polished light concrete floors, exposed concrete, curved bright white walls, and natural oak and walnut wood finishes are included in the design, allowing light to bounce off surfaces and reflect playfully throughout the LED-lit space. New wood and steel grand staircases — with stairs longer and wider than normal and designed more like ramps — replaced the escalators on both sides of the rotunda. The addition of the two staircases allows for a refreshed interaction with the space and introduced new seating options for employees and visitors.
In addition to these improvements, security turnstiles with a visitor management system were installed to make the space more secure and elevate it beyond existing Class A office standards. It is the first multitenant facility in downtown Kansas City to have such a feature.
As is typical for older buildings, once demolition began the design team encountered a surprise not shown on the handmade drawings of the original space. A steel, structural beam that supported the old grand staircase was found exactly where designers were now planning to build a large concierge center. Adept at having to change plans on the fly, the Burns & McDonnell design team incorporated the large, immovable beam into the concierge center design by encasing it in attractive wood finishings and surrounding the now-hidden beam with eye-catching foliage.
A large monitor stationed behind the high-tech security center is used to display attention-grabbing artwork and welcome guests. Redundant electrical power and in-floor voice, power and data raceways are also built in, available and ready to use.
The technologically advanced infrastructure and lively atmosphere of Town Pavilion combine with unequaled beauty and unsurpassed convenience for a dynamic, unique and practical setting.
