A Historic Midwest Mansion Saved from Demolition
A historic Midwest mansion, once set for demolition to make way for a luxury high-rise development, has been saved after being acquired by the Kansas City Art Institute. The property, known as the George B. Richards House, was at the center of a long-standing dispute between its owners and local preservationists.
The house, built in 1913 and spanning 7,400 square feet, is a prime example of Edwardian architecture. It features classic white balustrades, Corinthian white pillars, ornate plaster ceilings, and carved fireplaces. The home also includes five bedrooms and a music room, making it a significant piece of architectural heritage in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Vawter brothers, Steve and Matt, inherited the mansion from their late mother, Susie, in 2020. They had argued since 2023 that the property was uninhabitable and needed to be demolished. In 2024, they revealed plans for an upscale residential apartment project with studios and one-bedroom apartments, according to a 421-page planning document viewed by the Daily Mail.
However, the Kansas City Art Institute stepped in and announced its acquisition of the mansion. While the exact purchase price remains undisclosed, the institute aims to repurpose the site into a cultural hub that honors its past while fostering the future of the arts. This could involve using the space for lectures, exhibitions, artist residencies, and hands-on learning experiences related to event production and historic archive management.
The mansion has been vacant since 2021, with its windows and doors covered in plywood by 2023, as reported by the Kansas City Star. The Vawters have long claimed that the one-acre property is worth more than the historic home itself. A “For Sale” sign was placed on the front lawn in May 2023, suggesting the mansion would be used for a high-rise development. At the time, the brothers were asking for $2.5 million for the property.
The Southmoreland Neighborhood Association pushed back, arguing that the mansion should be listed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places. This designation protected the mansion from demolition for three years, but the deadline was set to expire in November.
In a document sent to the city’s plan and permitting services, the Vawters described the mansion as “unfixable.” They argued that the historic designation would lead to more vagrancy and blight. “We have cared for this property through three generations, but ultimately, we own this property and we should be the ones who decide what to do with it,” they wrote.
They estimated the restoration cost at up to $1.9 million and stated, “The fact is, you cannot save every building.” The brothers also accused opponents of wanting to control what happens next on the site, claiming that the decision should be between a developer and the city with neighbors’ input.
The Vawters had accepted an offer from George Birt, who planned to develop an upscale residential apartment project for art institute students and other tenants. “The highest and best use for this property is for much needed, multi-family housing,” they wrote. Otherwise, they argued, the historic house would sit vacant and attract vandals.
The brothers cited incidents of vandalism, including copper piping being ripped from the floor joists and a wall safe being torn from a wall. Photos attached to the document showed a white door with broken glass, a shattered window, and a sleeping arrangement with bedsheets, a strewn pillow, and littered food wrappers near one of the mansion’s white columns. They said they were forced to board up the house as a result.
Funds for the art institute’s purchase were provided by the William T. Kemper Foundation, established in 1989 after the death of philanthropist William T. Kemper Jr. He was a prominent banker and trustee of the institute for over 40 years. Additional funds came from the Vawter family, though no details were disclosed.
The mansion was previously valued at roughly $1.3 million, according to the Kansas City Star. While the exact purchase price remains unknown, the institute has not yet decided on the future use of the site. An advisory committee will meet in the coming months to evaluate options, and a three-week cleanup is expected to restore the mansion’s appearance and remove potential hazards.
The Vawter brothers told the Daily Mail that the outcome was “ideal.” They expressed enthusiasm about the philanthropic partnership with the KCAI and were pleased that the historical and family property would be re-purposed for good. “Since the house will be restored to its former glory, we feel like this sale provides continuity for the neighborhood and for our family legacy,” they said.
At least one other buyer was interested in purchasing the mansion but turned down the opportunity. Ryan Hiser and David Tran, who own a pair of bed-and-breakfast boutique hotels in the Southmoreland neighborhood, made a $1.3 million offer. According to the Kansas City Star, they would have needed up to $1 million to renovate the mansion into a boutique hotel.
The Kansas City Art Institute has not yet responded to further inquiries.
