The Michelson Building

When the Michelson Building opened in 1923, it was one of the first commercial buildings in the region to embrace the Art Deco style, a design choice that grew exceptionally popular throughout the nation by the late 1920s. Local architect William Koch employed a mix of Revival and Art Deco styles that reflected a transitional period of architectural styles. The building originally included an automobile dealer, bank, and a variety of upscale shops that reflected the neighborhood's growth. The building is located on Troost Avenue, the longest street in Kansas City, and the area around 31st and Troost was a bustling center of commercial activity in the 1920s owing to the intersection of streetcar lines and the widening of the thoroughfare. By the 1950s, the Michelson Building and others had high vacancy rates as white residents moved out of the area and Troost Ave evolved into a demarcation line between white and African American residents. Today, urban renewal efforts seek to restore the neighborhood's economic vitality through a variety of locally-owned stores that reflect the history and celebrate the racial diversity of the city.

The Michelson Building, designed by local architect William Koch and constructed in 1923, reflects the evolution from the traditional revival styles that had dominated architectural design for the preceding decades to Art Deco's initial period, which gained favor by the late 1920s. As well, the building existed as part of the bustling commercial heart of the Troost district during the 1920s through 1950s; the city's racial issues during the last half of the twentieth century led to the decline of the district and building vacancies (including The Michelson Building). 

When the Michelson Building was constructed in 1923, Kansas City, like the rest of the country, was in the midst of political, economic, and social changes that followed World War I. The transition can be seen in the era's evolving commercial development and architectural styles, notably the wide acceptance of Art Deco, with terracotta serving as the principal material used for commercial buildings. Designers and builders first relied on terracotta during the late nineteenth century due to its fireproof nature. But, by the 1920s, the material grew popular because of its flexibility and decoration. The material received a boost after World War I when decorative building materials became more widely available and economical for the average building. When Art Deco emerged as a trendy style, terracotta became mass-produced, making Art Deco an easy and affordable choice for builders. Art Deco stood as the new, genuinely American style found in Kansas City and throughout the nation's largest cities.  

William J. Koch designed the building. Koch (1888- 1947) was born in Covington, KY, and began his career in Kansas City in 1910 as a draftsman. Koch eventually opened his architecture business in 1923 in downtown Kansas City. He gained acclaim for his work with single- and multi-family residential buildings; he designed more than thirty-four buildings in Kansas City, including several apartment buildings and apartment-hotel complexes. However, Koch also headed the project to develop The Michelson Building in 1923. The Art Deco design he chose for the now-historic building pre-dated the Art Deco boom, which is why one will notice some revival motifs mixed with the more modern Art Deco design, including its terracotta facade. As such, the building exemplifies the transition from the classic and revival styles to the widespread adoption of Art Deco styles. 

The building's name comes from its builder, Edward Samuel Michelson, who hired Koch. Born in 1888, Michelson immigrated to the United States from Warsaw, Poland in 1906, and became a naturalized citizen in 1914. Michelson was a shrewd businessperson who focused first on the transportation and construction industries before transitioning to property development by the 1920s. The historic building that bears his name stood as his first known building venture. 

The Michelson Building emerged at a time when Troost Avenue underwent a profound transition after World War I. By the 1890s, Troost Avenue (up to 77th Street) was inside the city limits; it had a state-of-the-art streetcar system running to 33rd Street, and it enjoyed the nickname "Millionaire's Row." However, by 1910, many of the vastly wealthy residents moved south and east, with apartment-hotels, apartments, and a host of single and multi-family dwellings emerged. By the late 1920s, the city widened and paved Troost Avenue, making it the longest street in the city. A street lighting system lined Troost Ave, and Kansas City zoned it for commercial business from 27th to 75th streets by the decade's end. Tenants of The Michelson Building reveal the commercial nature of Troost, consisting of a bank, photo retailer, furniture store, automobile company offices, and many more.

After the 1950s, Troost Avenue served as an ipso facto dividing line between social classes, most of it directly tied to racial divisions. Numerous high-end homes and hotels built west of Troost included covenants that prohibited Black or Jewish residents from owning them. For decades, the average income of people living west of Troost far exceeded those living east. As a result, Troost Avenue's significance declined dramatically. Buildings, including The Michelson Building, dealt with numerous vacancies. Thus, the Michelson Building represents a different time in Kansas City, when it enjoyed a growing population and increased commercial success; much of it centered on Troost Avenue. 

Collison, Kevin. "Developers Propose Ambitious Plan To Revive Kansas City's Historic Troost Business District." NPR: KCUR. kcur.org. May 20, 2019. https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2019-05-20/developers-propose-ambitious-plan-to-revive-kansas-citys-historic-troost-business-district.

Salzman, Eric. "For decades a dividing line, Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., sees new hope." NBC News. October 12. 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/decades-dividing-line-troost-avenue-kansas-city-mo-sees-new-n918851.

Spencer, Brenda and Michelle Spencer. "Nomination Form: Michelson Building." National Register of Historic Places. mostateparks.com. 2017. https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Michelson%20Bldg.pdf.