Kansas City, Missouri
Spring 2001
11 Townhomes
Gould Evans Goodman (Gould Evans)

Interior Architect

2001 AIA Award for Unbuilt Projects
2002 Cornerstone Award

40 Penn Row is located on the northeast corner of 40th Street and Pennsylvania in the heart Westport, Kansas City’s oldest entertainment district. Historically, Westport has been a place of transition as well as a place of origin. These transitions and origins left behind a history reflected in the streets and buildings. 40 Penn Row adds to the complexity of the existing fabric and history of this place while looking forward to potential future growth.

The building’s mass is hugs the setback lines on both 40th and Pennsylvania, following cues from the existing buildings to the south. The “L” shape layout is symmetrical about both streets and creates an appropriately sized car court at the rear of the units. Each unit includes a private garden at the front and most have an attached garage accessed from the car court.

The units are programmatically efficient and celebrate the space in natural light. Large windows allow views to the south and west to the heart of Westport. Interior partitions were grouped into a central service core on the main and upper level to minimize the obstruction of view, light, and space. The larger three level units sandwich the shared utility and living spaces on the second or “living level” between the first floor office/bedroom and third floor master bedroom.

The project’s close proximity to basic amenities, office spaces, unique stores, and fantastic entertainment establishments combined with its “edgy” feel proved very popular. Every unit was sold before construction was complete. This has encouraged other developers to take interest in Westport. Hopefully the end result will be additional homeowners, the final component necessary to make Westport a healthy mixed use community.