Historic KC mansion at center of demolition fight may have a buyer. Here’s what to know
The Kansas City Art Institute has confirmed interest in buying a 113-year-old Southmoreland mansion whose owners have fought for years to demolish it.
The potential sale could resolve a long-running battle between the Vawter brothers and neighbors who pushed to protect the home.
FULL STORY: KC Art Institute looks to buy 113-year-old mansion that brothers fought to demolish
Here are key takeaways:
- The 7,400-square-foot George B. Richards home at 4526 Warwick Blvd. was built in 1913 and has been owned by the Vawter family for 65 years.
- Brothers Steve and Matt Vawter inherited the $1.3 million home in 2020 and have sought to demolish it, arguing restoration would cost millions.
- The Southmoreland Neighborhood Association got the home placed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places, and in November 2023 the Historic Preservation Commission denied the brothers’ request to raze it.
- That denial expires in November, after which the Vawters could demolish the home. Critics have accused them of “demolition by neglect” while it sits boarded up.
- The Art Institute confirmed interest but said nothing is finalized. The purchase may tie into its “Arterie” project connecting its campus to the Kemper and Nelson-Atkins museums.
- Mayor Quinton Lucas this month proposed ordinances requiring further review before historic buildings can be demolished.
- A previous $1.3 million offer from boutique hotel owners Ryan Hiser and David Tran was rejected by the Vawters.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
Eric Adler
The Kansas City Star