Muehlebach Hotel, Kansas City

The Muehlebach Hotel, located in Downtown Kansas City, is a historic landmark that has played host to an impressive list of guests, including every U.S. President from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. Established on the site of the former First Baptist Church, the hotel was built in 1915 by George E. Muehlebach, a prominent local figure whose family also founded the Muehlebach Beer Company. The 12-story, 144-foot high brown brick building, designed by Holabird & Roche, was constructed for $2 million, opening its doors as the Hotel Muehlebach in May 1915.

The hotel gained prominence not just for its opulent accommodations, but also as a pioneering site in broadcasting history; on December 5, 1922, it hosted the first regular radio program broadcast by a band, featuring the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra. Under the management of Barney Allis from 1931, the Muehlebach became a hub for celebrities such as Helen Keller, Ernest Hemingway, Babe Ruth, Jean Harlow, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles. It was also known for its Presidential Suite, frequently occupied by Missouri native Harry S. Truman, earning the nickname "White House West."

In 1952, the 17-story Muehlebach Tower was added, expanding the hotel’s capacity. After changing ownership in the 1960s and facing financial troubles, it was foreclosed in the early 1970s. A $7 million renovation in 1974 brought it under Radisson management as the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel, which served as headquarters for the 1976 Republican National Convention. In 1996, Marriott integrated the Muehlebach into the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, demolishing the 1952 tower in 1998 and replacing it with a modern one connected by a skybridge. The historic lobby and ballrooms were restored for events, while the upper floors remain unused. In 2023, the Voo Lounge opened on the ground floor, adding a modern flair to the historic site.