See inside historic Kansas City building turned into apartments. Rent starts at $925

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Generations of office workers once passed underneath the stone entryway and through the brass-toned doors. Now residents of the newly opened Midland Lofts can take in the Kansas City skyline view from their couches, not cubicles.

Finished in 1927, the 12-story building is located downtown, adjacent to the Midland Theatre and around the corner from the Cosentino’s grocery store.

Residents started moving in August to the 135-unit building, which includes studio and one-bedroom units.

The building is 80% leased, and rents for the remaining units range from $924 a month for a studio to $1,368 for a one-bedroom.

The main entrance to the Midland Lofts is seen on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Kansas City.
The main entrance to the Midland Lofts is seen on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Kansas City.
The fitness center at the Midland Lofts includes exercise equipment.
The fitness center at the Midland Lofts includes exercise equipment.

The building contains 5,000 square feet of resident amenity space, including a meditation room, co-working space, and a gym with weights and a Peloton.

Zachary Karaisz, a resident of the Midland Lofts, lounges in the community space on Thursday.
Zachary Karaisz, a resident of the Midland Lofts, lounges in the community space on Thursday.
A lounging area is available for residents in one of the community spaces at the Midland Lofts.
A lounging area is available for residents in one of the community spaces at the Midland Lofts.
Kitchens are available for residents in the community spaces.
Kitchens are available for residents in the community spaces.

In addition, the lobby includes couches, an indoor fireplace and a two-island shared kitchen, all positioned under 15-foot ceilings.

The kitchen of a one-bedroom apartment is shown at the Midland Lofts on Thursday.
The kitchen of a one-bedroom apartment is shown at the Midland Lofts on Thursday.
One-bedroom apartments at the Midland Lofts cost up to $1,368 for a one-bedroom.
One-bedroom apartments at the Midland Lofts cost up to $1,368 for a one-bedroom.

Both the studio and one-bedroom units are outfitted with a dishwasher, a combined washer-dryer and range. The exterior rooms feature new windows to let the city views in and keep the Midwest weather out.

The Midland Lofts at 1221 Baltimore Ave. are now open in a historic building next to the Midland Theatre.
The Midland Lofts at 1221 Baltimore Ave. are now open in a historic building next to the Midland Theatre.
The Midland Lofts has weathered copper at the top of the building.
The Midland Lofts has weathered copper at the top of the building.

Most of the historic preservation work was focused on the exterior and entryway, said Doug Stockman of Helix Architecture Firm, which worked on the project. The facade of the building is covered with ornate terra cotta, topped with weathered copper.

An original mailbox is displayed in the lobby at the Midland Lofts.
An original mailbox is displayed in the lobby at the Midland Lofts.
Original steel panels are seen along a wall at the Midland Lofts, a 97-year-old building in downtown Kansas City.
Original steel panels are seen along a wall at the Midland Lofts, a 97-year-old building in downtown Kansas City.

The graphic black-and-white stone in the lobby and the gold-colored mail chute are part of the historic charm that put the structure on the National Register of Historic Places.

A 1920s photograph shows the construction of what is now Midland Lofts. The former office building is connected to the Midland Theater.
A 1920s photograph shows the construction of what is now Midland Lofts. The former office building is connected to the Midland Theater.

Both the Midland Theatre and what is now Midland Lofts structures were designed by Thomas White Lamb, a prominent theater architect of the 1900s.

From 1927 to the mid-2000s, the office building housed organizations like a gas company, a brokerage firm, the Kansas City Rotary Club and Russell Stover Candies. The structure was vacant for about 20 years before work started on the renovation in July 2023, according to a representative. Power and Light developer Cordish Company spearheaded the project.

The Midland Lofts are reflected in the windows of One Light apartments on Thursday.
The Midland Lofts are reflected in the windows of One Light apartments on Thursday.

Heating and cooling is included in the rent, though residents pay for water and internet separately. Parking is also extra; tenants need to pay between $100 and $150 a month to park at One Light a block away.

Midland Lofts

  • 1221 Baltimore Ave.

  • Rents from $924 to $1,368 a month