Monroe Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Monroe Hotel
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The Monroe Hotel to the right with the office at 1908 Main to the left
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1904-06 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri |
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| Built | 1920 |
| Architect | Sanneman, R.H.; Edelman-Fleming Construction Co |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial |
| MPS | Working Class Hotels at 19th and Main Streets, Kansas City, Missouri MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000395 |
| Added to NRHP | May 06, 2004 |
The Monroe Hotel was once a busy hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. It was built in the early 1920s. A powerful local leader named Tom Pendergast bought it soon after. He even made a secret way to get from his office to the hotel! The hotel closed in 1971. Later, the building was changed into condominiums, which are like apartments that people own.
Contents
Building the Monroe Hotel
After Union Station was finished in 1914, many people needed a place to stay. They needed affordable hotels south of downtown Kansas City. The Monroe Hotel was designed to meet this need.
Hotel Design and Construction
Raymond H. Sanneman designed the Monroe Hotel in 1920. It was built for the Dubinsky Brothers. The Edelman-Fleming Construction Company built the hotel. It cost about $150,000 to build.
The hotel had five stories. It was made of strong concrete. The outside was decorated with brick and terra cotta.
Thomas Pendergast's Ownership
A very powerful local leader named Thomas J. Pendergast bought the Monroe Hotel in 1924. He was known as a "political boss." This meant he had a lot of influence over local government and politics.
Pendergast's Office Connection
Pendergast hired Sanneman again. This time, Sanneman designed a two-story building next to the hotel. This new building became Pendergast's office. It was the main place for his Jackson County Democratic Club.
Pendergast worked from this office at 1908 Main Street until the late 1930s. He had a special doorway built between his second-floor office and the hotel. This secret door gave him private access to the hotel's elevator.
Hotel Closure and Changes
After Pendergast had some legal troubles, a court ordered the secret doorway to be sealed. He was also told he could no longer be involved in politics. The Monroe Hotel closed its doors in 1971.
New Life for the Hotel
The Monroe Hotel building was empty for more than 30 years. Then, in the summer of 2006, it was renovated. The old hotel was given a new purpose.
Modern Condominiums
Today, the building is home to eight fancy apartments called condominiums. These condos are quite large. They range in size from 1,930 to 2,500 square feet.
