From sleek modern designs to art deco influences to elaborate and ornately carved limestone, Downtown Wichita offers numerous examples of the city’s architectural heritage.Wichita has long been aware of the value of its historic resources; the City Council adopted the first preservation ordinance in Kansas in 1975 and the city has seven historic districts and 100 individual structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown revitalization efforts include adaptively reusing historic commercial buildings and a perfect example is Old Town. This area is home to a cluster of night clubs, bars, restaurants, a movie theater, shops, and apartments and condominiums, many of which make use of historical warehouse-type spaces.

Like many cities around the country, Wichita has experienced a renaissance of its downtown and riverfront, with historic structures preserved, new buildings appearing on the skyline and the addition of public spaces with art and parks. In this do-it-yourself age, you can discover and appreciate the beauty of Wichita’s Downtown architecture simply by taking a walk.