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Before the First World War , downtown Kansas City was heavily populated and bustling. The area today home to Crown Center was an extension of the Union Hill historic neighborhood. Gradually, however, the center of population for the Metro Area moved south, and by the Second World War the area today co mprising Crown Center had become dillapidated. Although Hallmark had maintained its headquarters at 26th Street and Grand Avenue since 1922 , the headquarters itself and nearby Union Station comprised the only non- Slum in the area. Instead, what there was were old warehouses, used car lots, and vacant buildings. In 1966 , Donald J. Hall, Sr. became President and CEO of Hallmark Cards, taking over from his father, Joyce Hall . Joyce Hall had long wished to develop the area around the corporate headquarters, and with his new leadership Donald Hall quickly made it known that he wished to Renew the area entirely. Hallmark quietly began acquiring all the property surrounding its headquarters, and consulted with Urban Planning experts about the possibility of creating an experimental "city within a city" on the property. The City of Kansas City formally approved the plans for Crown Center (named after the Hallmark corporate symbol) by the end of 1967 . Notable architects employed to design the project included Norman Fletcher , Dan Kiley , Paul László , I.M. Pei , Warren Plattner , and Harry Weese . By 1971 , the first portions of Crown Center opened amidst much local and national fanfare. Since then, development has continued. TODAY Today, the shopping and entertainment complex itself features three levels of shops and restaurants, a set of grand open air fountains, movie theatres, an Ice Skating rink, and overstreet walkways leading throughout the complex and even to Kansas City's Union Station . One of the most notable stores is the Halls department store designed by Paul László . The complex also includes a 45-story Hyatt Regency hotel, a Westin hotel, and two upscale residential apartment skyscrapers. Kansas City's three largest law firms maintain their headquarters in other skyscrapers in the neighborhood. The neighborhood's grounds are replete with parks, fountains, green spaces, and unique sculptures. Hallmark Cards's global headquarters campus is located on an 85-acre section on the eastern side of Crown Center. Today, Crown Center's development continues unabated. It is one of the most densely-populated neighborhoods in Kansas City. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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