The St. Regis Hotel stands as a defining example of early 20th-century residential architecture along Kansas City’s historic boulevard system. As part of a multi-year rehabilitation effort, GKW Restoration was entrusted with recreating exterior masonry details that had been lost to time—most notably the stone balustrade along the building’s front porch.

With no original drawings remaining, the restoration relied entirely on historic photographs and postcards to guide the work. Each detail was carefully studied, scaled, and recreated to match the proportions, profiles, and craftsmanship of the original design. This process required not only technical precision, but a deep respect for the architectural intent of the building’s Italian Renaissance Revival style.

Historic masonry restoration demands more than replication—it requires understanding how original materials behave, how they interact with modern structural systems, and how new work can be integrated without compromising historic integrity. The recreated balustrade was designed to visually and structurally align with the existing façade while ensuring long-term durability.

The completed work restored an important architectural feature to the St. Regis Hotel, reinforcing its historic character while supporting its continued use as affordable housing. The project was later recognized by Historic Kansas City with a Preservation Award for its contribution to affordable housing through thoughtful, high-quality restoration.