The Phoenix Hotel (1888) and Mural

This mural of Kansas City jazz musicians is located on the east wall of the historic Phoenix Building which was constructed in 1888 and a contributing property within the Garment District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The most striking feature of this historic three-story Neo-Romanesque building is the cast iron arch at the 8th street entryway. Since 1990 the first level of the former hotel has been home to The Phoenix, a live music venue that offers nightly jazz. In 2002, the city named the section of 8th Street from Broadway to Central as “Scamps Alley" in honor of an iconic jazz band with Kansas City roots dating back to the Great Depression.

The stain glass above the entryway to the jazz club is over a century old and includes the name of early 19h century proprietor Frank Valerius who operated one of the many drinking establishments that would call this building home.

Garment District National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, 1971.