A Rockin' Part of Kansas City is Back

Kansas City, MO June 29 2023

The former El Torreon Ballroom at the Southeast corner of 31st and Gillham Plaza, is getting a chance to make new memories. With the help of Rosin Preservation, the project is approved to 5.1 Million dollars of federal and state tax credits. The project will also be financed in part by New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) program which aims to stimulate investment and economic growth in low-income communities that lack access to capital. Michael Bland, AltCap’s Director of Tax Credit Financing and Consulting Services, is assisting the redevelopment team with deal structuring and a community impact plan to attract up to $16 million in NMTC funds. The non-for-profit group, Friends of El Torreon, hope to have it restored to its original glory by winter 2025 with the help of The Whitestone Co., who is developing the project.

Whitestone has been engaged since 2020 as the owner representative and has been working with Future Stories Consulting and Mammoth, Inc to design the approximately 23,000 square foot of space ballroom on the second floor and mezzanine with state-of-the-art amenities for live concerts, meetings, and events with a maximum capacity of 1,500. The existing first floor event space and wedding venue will be remodeled continuing to offer smaller events and weddings including plans for a bar/cafe.

El Torreon was built as a jazz dance hall in 1927 and has since played a significant role in the community. It’s where Kansas Citians danced to Benny Motten, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington in the 20’s, where families roller skated from the late 30’s to the 60’s and where, at the Cowtown Ballroom, musicians such as Van Morrison and Linda Ronstadt played in the ‘70s. Since then, it has hosted flea markets, concerts, meetings, church services, and weddings. “Dozens of ballrooms like El Torreon were built across the nation during the jazz era of the 1920’s, but only a few remain today” said Scott Petersen, Founding Principal of The Whitestone Co., which is spearheading the renovation. “This building, just blocks from the future location of the KC Streetcar, will once again be a place for the community to gather,” said Petersen.

Friends of El Torreon is focused on creating a place of hospitality, enhancing KC’s music scene, and offering educational opportunities to benefit a historically underserved area of KC. Once the ballroom is restored to its original grandeur, it’ll be a place for concerts, sporting events, large ceremonies, and gatherings. Mammoth will assist in concert promotions once the new facility opens. Everyone involved recognizes the rich history of the building and the importance to the community of restoring this Kansas City landmark for future generations to enjoy.

About Friends of El Torreon

Established in 2020, Friends of El Torreon is a 501c3 not-for-profit with a vision to create a place of hospitality where music, service, and education impact Kansas City. FOET aims to create a center for the community dignifying human life, promoting equitable economic relations and encouraging reconciliation among individuals and peoples. Its goals are to restore the El Torreon and create a sustainable business model for the future of the building.

About Mammoth, Inc.

Established in 2006, Mammoth is rooted in Kansas City and Lawrence and partners with many venues and organizations who make the city such a special place. Mammoth is part of the Midwest and national concert culture while staying true to an independent ethos, producing events including festivals and tours. Mammoth’s range of services include live concert and event production, venue operations, marketing, sponsorship, brand activations, strategic partnership and more. Notably, the Mammoth team is proud to be part of the history and future of keeping music alive in the El Torreon.

About AltCap

Founded in 2005 with a mission to stimulate economic activity and investment in economically distressed communities, AltCap has developed into a critical source of alternative financing for communities and entrepreneurs that fall outside the financial mainstream.

We are impact-driven and community-focused. To date, AltCap has deployed nearly $300 million in capital, financing small businesses and real estate development projects that were overlooked by traditional financial institutions.

About Rosin Preservation

A Kansas City-based historic preservation consulting firm that serves a national client base. Clients benefit from the energy, knowledge, and creativity of the Rosin Preservation team in preparing National Register nominations and securing historic tax credits. Our intimate understanding of the preservation process adds credibility and value to projects. This enables our clients to accurately anticipate the time, costs, and hurdles required to complete a successful rehabilitation project. Rosin Preservation is excited to be part of the team working to restore this important cultural landmark.

About Future Stories Consulting

Every project tells a story. And every client dreams of a future story. John Ho, Architect, launched Future Stories Consulting in 2018 to work with visionary clients to realize their future stories and dreams— consulting from preliminary visioning and master planning to full-service architecture and design. Built on authentic relationships, client-centric services, and out-of-the-box problem-solving, Future Stories provides the same personal attention to residential projects as commercial, manufacturing, entertainment, and master-planning projects—locally, nationally and internationally. The historic El Torreon Ballroom harkens back to a unique Kansas City past story, and is poised to pioneer a dynamic future story!