A historic building in Kansas City, dating back to 1874, has been saved from demolition after part of its roof collapsed and city inspectors ordered its emergency removal. The former Seiden’s Furs building at 935 Broadway is widely considered the oldest surviving commercial building in downtown Kansas City’s Downtown Loop. The rescue was led by local developer Chris Sally, who stepped in to buy the property in October 2023, shortly after city officials issued an emergency demolition order. Workers removed more than 20 dumpsters of abandoned stock and rubbish that had built up over several decades.
This was reported by the Kansas City Business Journal and Flatland KC. It is now being renovated into a Midwestern restaurant called Loretta Jean’s, with apartments planned for the upper floors. The project required major cleaning and structural repairs. They also pumped out dangerous standing water that had collected in the basement.
Retail history from 1874 to 2006
Early engineering estimates placed the cost of necessary repairs at around $2.1 million (£1.6 million), according to records cited by the non-profit preservation group Preserve Missouri. An early report by Flatland KC described it as covering 14,000 square feet. However, a later report published by The KC Pulse listed its size as 7,500 square feet. Jackson County’s property tax records valued the building at $316,135 in 2019, before the roof collapsed. One proposal came from artist Peregrine Honig, who wanted to create affordable artist studios with monthly rents of $200 to $400. Built 152 years ago, the building first opened as the Brackett Brothers Drug Store. It later became a fur shop in 1935, according to coverage by the Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Star reported that the fur shop remained open until 2006, while historical records kept by Preserve Missouri state that it closed in 2007. A similar project saved the former Cosby Hotel, a building dating back to 1881, according to reporting by Flatland KC.
Reporting by public broadcaster KCUR confirms that Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas recently introduced three city ordinances aimed at stopping historic buildings from falling into serious disrepair.
The new restaurant will include a preserved walk-in fur storage vault, an old metal safe used to store money, vintage advertising posters, and original fashion mannequins, according to reports by Axios and the Kansas City Star. Restoration workers have installed a completely new roof, repaired the mortar between the exterior bricks, and returned the second-floor windows to their original sizes, according to project updates from The KC Pulse. The list aims to draw public attention to historic buildings and architecture across the region, according to additional reporting by KCUR.
There are still differences in reports about the building’s total interior size. Before Sally agreed to buy the property, several other ideas were suggested to save it. Local reports by Flatland KC mentioned plans ranging from an underground speakeasy bar to workspaces for artists. The business, known as Seiden’s Furs, operated at the Broadway location for many years. However, historical records differ slightly about when it finally closed. Sally’s redevelopment plans aim to keep several features from the building’s retail history. These items will help maintain the building’s historic character. The rescue of the Seiden’s Furs building is part of a growing effort to save old and damaged historic buildings across downtown Kansas City. The property was close to demolition before private developers stepped in and turned it into commercial offices and dining space. The problem of neglected historic buildings has also led to action from local government officials and community leaders. At the same time, the non-profit organisation Historic KC published its first Most Endangered Places list in five years.
The redevelopment received a 2025 Historic Kansas City Preservation Award for Neighborhood Stabilization, according to Kansas City Magazine. The publication reported that Loretta Jean’s is expected to open in autumn 2026. The plans also include a separate private dining area or basement bar called Josephine’s, according to details reported by Axios.
The renovated building will house Loretta Jean’s, a restaurant being developed by chef Rick Mullins and Candice Moore. The entire upper floor will be converted into residential apartments.
The project received recognition from regional historic preservation groups even before the restaurant officially opened.