The Globe Building, Kansas City

The Globe Building, also known as the Think Big Building, stands as a testament to the adaptive reuse of historic structures in downtown Kansas City. Nestled in the vibrant Crossroads Art District, this seven-story brick building was originally designed by architect James Hogg and constructed in 1902. For its first 75 years, the Globe Building served as a storage warehouse, maintaining its industrial character with heavy timber structures, wide-open floor plans, and commercial offices on the first floor.

The building’s most distinctive features are the large painted advertising murals that grace its north and south faces, making it easily recognizable among Kansas City’s historic skyline. After sitting mostly vacant since the 1970s, the Globe Building found new life when Kansas City developer Brad Nicholson purchased it in 2013, rehabilitating it into a state-of-the-art coworking space.

Today, the Globe Building blends modern functionality with historical charm, featuring glass-walled offices, shared workspaces, and event venues. The interior proudly showcases exposed brick walls, original hardwood floors, and wood-beam ceilings, all nod to its storied past. This transformation was made possible through the city's innovative tax credit schemes, which incentivize the preservation and repurposing of historic buildings, allowing structures like the Globe Building to thrive rather than face demolition.