Freight House, Kansas City

The Freight House in Kansas City is a historic railroad building located just north of Union Station in the bustling Crossroads Arts District. Originally constructed in 1887, the Freight House served as a key hub where freight was unloaded from trains before being transported to nearby warehouses. Over time, the structure fell into severe disrepair and faced the threat of demolition until a group of investors, led by Dan Clothier, purchased the building in 1995 with the vision of transforming it into a dining destination.

Spanning 500 feet in length and 40 feet in width, the Freight House was revitalized and now hosts three award-winning restaurants. The first to open was Lidia’s Kansas City, an Italian restaurant launched in October 1998 by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich. The interior was designed by renowned architect David Rockwell, blending the historic charm of the building with a contemporary dining experience.

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue followed, opening its third location at the west end of the Freight House in Fall 2000, where it continues to serve its signature barbecue dishes. In 2002, City Tavern opened in the middle space of the Freight House, operating successfully until its closure in April 2010.

In May 2010, the space formerly occupied by City Tavern was taken over by Grunauer, a Viennese restaurant opened by Austrian-born chef Peter Grunauer, alongside his daughter Elisabeth and son Nicholas. The Grunauer family also runs a namesake restaurant in Vienna's artsy Neubau district, bringing a touch of Austrian culinary tradition to Kansas City.

A notable feature of the Freight House is its connection to Union Station via a pedestrian bridge, which was added in 2003. This bridge includes a significant component: an 1892 railroad span that had previously sat unused on the river bluffs before finding its new purpose connecting these two historic Kansas City landmarks. Today, the Freight House stands as a testament to the city's commitment to preserving its architectural heritage while providing a vibrant dining destination.