Click on the "Video" tab above to see the Block One fly-though. View Block One renderings and photos under the "Photos" tab.
Block One represents a new start for downtown development in the City of Wichita.
Project Downtown is guiding the first complete city block of development along the core of Douglas Avenue. The block encompasses the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF), the Ambassador Hotel, the Henry's Building, the Block One Parking Garage and a new Urban Plaza. Total investment exceeds $40 million. To showcase this achievement, the developers of the block announced at the KLC and KHF Conference Center groundbreaking that they have taken the opportunity to name all the projects as Block One. This name is used as a reference location point when speaking of the major organizations and tenants that are members of the block, for example the Ambassador Hotel at Block One, the Kansas Health Foundation at Block One. Sullivan Higdon & Sink, a local creative agency, worked closely with the block's developers to brand Block One.
Block One is the origin point for future growth, with the word 'One' communicating this as the first completed block of new development in Downtown Wichita in over 30 years. The word 'Block' refers to the area between South Topeka and South Broadway adjacent to the 300 block of East Douglas.
The Kansas Leadership Center and Kansas Health Foundation Conference Center
The Kansas Leadership Center is a leadership development organization with the charge of cultivating civic leadership throughout Kansas. The Kansas Health Foundation is a private philanthropy based in Wichita and working statewide to improve the health of all Kansans.
The new 36,000-square-foot LEED-certified Kansas Leadership Center and Kansas Health Foundation Conference Center will be built on the parking lot adjacent to the Kansas Health Foundation's building at 309 East Douglas in Downtown Wichita. The Foundation owns the land. It will be the first new building in the core of Douglas Ave in 38 years. Features will include: three stories- with the third story unfinished until future expansion, town hall meeting space with seating for 200, KLC staff and offices, and classrooms).
KLC expects to bring about 1,000 Kansans a year to its headquarters for leadership training programs, and additional people for meetings and conferences, including alumni meetings. KLC will offer a number of programs with civic leadership-based curriculum. It has more than 1,500 alumni throughout Kansas.
This project is currently under construction.
The Ambassador Hotel at Block One
The Ambassador Hotel Wichita operates inside an historic Chicago-style building that opened in 1926 and originally housed the Union National Bank. Opening in December 2012, the hotel features 117 spacious contemporary style guest rooms, including 11 spacious suites and the decadent 1,500 square foot Rock Star Suite. Also provided are a full-range of luxury amenities including complimentary Cadillac Escalade guest transportation, 24-hour room service, and plush bathrobes.
Siena Tuscan Steakhouse, located on the ground floor, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Ambassador Hotel Wichita event center and catering service can accommodate a variety of meetings and receptions. Guests at the Ambassador Hotel at Block One can enjoy all of Downtown's amenities within walking distance. The hotel is also right on the Q-Line route. The Ambassador Hotel Collection operates boutique luxury hotels in unique historic buildings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kansas City, Missouri and Wichita, Kansas.
The Block One Parking Garage
The City of Wichita constructed a 270 space parking garage with approximately 8,400 square feet of retail
space facing William Street. The $6.8 Million project opened in
December of 2012. The Block One Parking Garage has three 6ft x 9ft panels of orange flowers on the outside West wall (facing Topeka) and three 6ft x 9ft panels of purple flowers on the East wall. These panels are made out of vitreous glass tile - approx 3/4' x 3/4 in - and then hand cut to fit. Tina Murano, of Murano Studios, was the artist for the mosaic collection, titled "Bravely Serene."
Urban Plaza at Block One
The City of Wichita has recently constructed a new urban plaza that connects the new Block One Parking Garage and the historic Ambassador Hotel. The block’s alley has been redesigned to make it more compatible for pedestrians and vehicles, as well as enhancing Downtown’s mid-block pedestrian circulation. The mosaic public art (conjunction of mosaics on the Block One Parking Garage and the Urban Plaza at Block One WaterWall) is titled “Bravely Serene.” The water wall in the Block One Urban Plaza is approximately 8ft x 30ft and will include purple glass tile mosaic flowers made of the same glass tile and hand cut to fit. Local artist Tina Murano was the artist and designer. The art is accessible to the public to appreciate and enjoy for many years.
