Kansas City’s Union Station lit in orange for Taylor Swift’s ‘new era’ & album
Orange is about to become Kansas City’s new color, at least for the moment.
On Monday, the city’s “adopted” daughter, Taylor Swift, nearly broke the Internet in announcing her upcoming 12th album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” (Actually, her fans did temporarily break TaylorSwift.com.)
Orange is part of the album’s color scheme. To honor the moment, the Empire State Building and Kansas City’s Union Station both lit up in orange Monday night.
Leawood officials announced Tuesday they, too, have a special orange tribute planned for Swift.
“In our ‘ready for a new era’ era,” said the X post from Kansas City’s landmark building.
The Empire State Building’s X account read: “See you next era.”
Swift fans appreciated the Union Station gesture.
“Now it’s Taylor Swift’s city,” one wrote on X.
You can often tell when something big is happening in town by the colors bathing Union Station. Last month, for instance, the exterior was lit in the colors of the fictional AFC Richmond soccer team in “Ted Lasso” as the show filmed here for Season 4.
Leawood sculpture to glow orange, too
In honor of Swift’s new album, Leawood will also illuminate its public art sculpture, “Reaching,” in orange light Tuesday.
“Swift has become a beloved figure in the Kansas City area in recent years, and her presence at Chiefs games has brought global attention to the region,” the city said in a statement.
“Swift’s album announcements are global cultural events, often sparking community conversation and creativity. The new album’s thematic connection to the color orange offers Leawood a unique opportunity to join the conversation while showcasing one of the city’s most recognizable public artworks.”
The olive tree sculpture with 75 curved aluminum branches stands at the corner of Mission Road and Lee Boulevard. It changes colors for special occasions, including holidays, sporting events and local happenings.
On Monday night, orange Spotify billboards popped up in New York’s Times Square and Nashville that led to a new Taylor Swift playlist.
Swift is expected to reveal more about her new work when she’s a guest on the “New Heights” podcast with her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce, at 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM.
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