Editor’s Note: Voting has closed for this round.
Voting is open for round one of Kansas City Business Journal’s Coolest Office Spaces contest.
We’ve divided the 39 submissions into four groups based on square footage. The winner from each of the four rounds will move onto the final round of voting, along with the winners from the three other rounds of progressively larger offices.
The 10 submissions below making up the first round of contestants are all less than 8,000 square feet. Check out the photo galleries to see the office spaces. Then, vote at the bottom of the article on which office you think is the coolest.
Round One voting will run through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24. See our official voting rules here.
Here’s what Round One’s contestants say sets their offices apart from the competition:
Located in Hartley’s Building at 330 Douglas St. in Lee’s Summit, Apollo Insurance Group renovated its space over the summer, which had not seen any updates since the early 1980s. The company chose the latest technology and amenities, but it maintained the building’s original brick from 1939, windows overlooking downtown Lee’s Summit and the original elevator. The design gives a modern look to a rustic building.
BcDesignGroup moved in June 2020 to its offices at 12101 W. 110th St. in Overland Park, using greenery as a focal point. The office features an interior living wall system, natural light and outdoor access. The plant life aims to reduce stress, sharpen attention, provide therapy benefits, boost productivity and improve the air quality. A small conference room doubles as a lighting lab, and a reconfigurable conference space offers room for educational classes, virtual reality, calls, meetings, yoga or ping pong.
Centralized Supply Chain Services was the first tenant to move into Penn II at 8789 Penrose Lane in The District in Lenexa City Center. The office has a comfortable and productive modern vibe with office amenities and the technology to support hybrid work. CSCS wanted a collaborative environment, different spaces for different work needs, easy access and parking, common areas and natural light. A favorite of CSCS is the collaboration café, with a sectional sofa and an 85” TV on a stone accent wall.
Crux KC calls its office at the 2345 Grand Complex a “love letter to Kansas City.” The perimeter is glass, lending natural light and iconic Kansas City views. The space has a shared kitchen space and conference rooms and features built-in technology, an open floor plan and wellness room. The company’s signature red is evident in the office’s modular furniture, which was designed for collaboration. On display is a one-of-a-kind Crux-red La Ferrari model car. Crux took over the space in May.
EAG Advertising & Marketing’s office is all about creativity. The space has a Felix Maull painting and Hasna Sal glass sculpture and other artworks. The office, located at 2029 Wyandotte St., was renovated and expanded in 2021 to accommodate future growth. Employees are encouraged to tailor their own workspace to their personalities. Natural light, rich textures and EAG branding are featured throughout the space.
In 2017, Freedom Interiors moved into 4000 Washington St., the original Westport Post Office. It remodeled and renovated the office in 2019, keeping historical elements such as the original ceiling, hardwood and terrazzo flooring. The original sketch for the bar design was done on a napkin that is now framed atop the bar. Employees can use multiple areas for collaboration and relaxation, including the bar, a loft and hammock.
The offices at J. Rieger & Co., located at 2700 Guinotte Ave., overlook the distillery floor, where employees can see, smell and experience the distillation process. If they want to get away from their desk, employees can use multiple meeting spaces (and bars). There is always a “distillery dog” running around. A slide from the top floor to the lobby is a fun way to get around. The building is a refurbished beer bottling plant built in 1901 for Heim Brewery.
Parris Communications moved in January into the 46Penn building at 4622 Pennsylvania Ave. It hopes to create a warm welcome and inviting design for guests and employees as they step off the elevator. The office features scenic views, a Parris Café coffee and wine bar, a lounge and plenty of serving and standing room. The space is designed to be open and collaborative.
The Park Place Village area of Leawood has been home to Seismic Digital since November 2021. The company emphasizes openness and natural light in its offices. Conference rooms are equipped with Meeting Owl technology. Employees can take advantage of free snacks from a vending machine and stocked fridges. Several gathering spaces give people a variety of work options. The surrounding neighborhood is walkable.
Steven Fuller is the only contestant showcasing his individual office, located at 1828 Swift in North Kansas City. The law office, remodeled in 2019, includes 50 masks on the back wall that Fuller has collected from travels around the world. Fuller said the masks are representative of his clients, who come to him from around the globe.
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