UMusic Hotels Unveils Kansas City Adaptive Reuse Project
UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle is converting the 117-year-old Scarritt Building into a 169-room hotel and residential complex.
The short answer
UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle is converting the 117-year-old Scarritt Building in downtown Kansas City into a 169-room hotel and 309-unit residential tower. The property will feature a live music venue, recording studio, luxury spa, and rooftop pool.
The short version
- UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle is converting the 117-year-old Scarritt Building into a 169-room hotel and 309 branded residences.
- UMH Development LLC and BR Companies plan to break ground on the Kansas City adaptive reuse project in the fourth quarter.
- Universal Music Group's brand pipeline also includes an open 130-room hotel in Madrid and a planned 150-room development in Austin.
UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle and UMH Development LLC are converting the historic Scarritt Building in downtown Kansas City into a 169-room music-focused hotel and 309-unit residential tower, Hotel Dive reported [1]. Construction begins in the fourth quarter of this year on the adaptive reuse development, which incorporates a live venue, recording studio, retail shop, and rooftop amenities [1].
What does the Kansas City adaptive reuse project entail?
The project transforms the downtown Scarritt Building, originally built more than 117 years ago, into the UMusic Hotel Kansas City [1]. According to Hotel Dive, the property will deliver 169 hotel rooms alongside a 309-unit branded residential tower [1]. In addition to standard hospitality accommodations, the complex includes a professional recording studio, a music and entertainment venue, and a dedicated UMusic Shop retail store [1].
Guest amenities incorporate wellness and entertainment spaces within the historic structure [1]. Plans detail a luxury spa and fitness center alongside multiple food and beverage concepts, anchored by a rooftop restaurant, lounge, and swimming pool [1]. As Hotel Dive noted, the property sits close to downtown demand drivers, positioned near Kansas City's Power & Light District and the T-Mobile Center arena [1].
Who is leading the development and brand operations?
UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle (UMHL) is managing the brand concept in partnership with record label Universal Music Group [1]. Development execution is handled by UMH Development LLC alongside its partner BR Companies [1]. UMHL focuses on combining guest service, live entertainment, and local cultural programming into its real estate developments [1].
While construction work starts in the fourth quarter of this year, developers have not released a full timeline or project completion date [1]. Robert Lavia serves as chief executive officer of UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, overseeing the brand's music-oriented urban footprint [1].
How does the Kansas City site fit the global UMusic portfolio?
The Kansas City development follows the company's inaugural opening in Europe and precedes additional projects in the United States [1]. In 2022, UMusic Hotels launched its first location in Madrid, Spain, establishing a 130-room hotel inside a historic theater, Hotel Dive reported [1]. Kansas City represents an expansion point chosen for its background in jazz and regional music culture [1].
In the United States, UMusic Hotels is also planning a property in Austin, Texas [1]. That mixed-use complex will feature 150 hotel rooms and 600 private residences, anchored by the White Rocks Amphitheater [1].
| Property Name | Location | Room Count | Residential Units | Core Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMusic Hotel Madrid | Madrid, Spain | 130 | 0 | Historic theater conversion (opened 2022) |
| UMusic Hotel Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri | 169 | 309 | 117-year-old Scarritt Building, recording studio, venue, rooftop pool |
| UMusic Hotel Austin | Austin, Texas | 150 | 600 | White Rocks Amphitheater integration |
How does music-focused lodging fit current industry trends?
Experiential hospitality brands are expanding branded, music-themed properties across regional markets [1]. In December 2024, Palm Tree Crew opened a 118-suite music-focused hotel in Miami, according to the South Florida Business Journal cited by Hotel Dive [1]. Similarly, Hard Rock International is deploying its Reverb lifestyle brand with a 155-room hotel planned for Florence, Alabama, scheduled to open in 2028 [1].
These developments target travelers seeking specialized cultural and entertainment programming inside urban and historic real estate assets [1].
Reported by
This article was written from the following reporting. Follow the links for the original coverage.
- [1]UMusic Hotels Plans Kansas City Expansion— Hotel Dive
Frequently asked
+Where is the UMusic Hotel Kansas City located?
The hotel is an adaptive reuse of the historic Scarritt Building in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The site is situated near the Power & Light District and the T-Mobile Center.
+What features will the Kansas City UMusic development include?
The mixed-use property will feature a 169-room hotel, a 309-unit branded residential tower, a professional recording studio, a music and entertainment venue, a UMusic Shop retail store, a luxury spa, a fitness center, and a rooftop restaurant, lounge, and pool.
+When does construction start on UMusic Hotel Kansas City?
Construction work on the adaptive reuse project is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. An opening date and full completion timeline have not been released.
+Who is developing the Kansas City property?
The development is being led by UMH Development LLC and its development partner BR Companies, in partnership with UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle and Universal Music Group.
+What other hotels does UMusic Hotels operate or plan?
UMusic Hotels opened its first property in 2022 with a 130-room hotel inside a historic theater in Madrid, Spain. The brand is also planning a 150-room hotel and 600-residence complex in Austin, Texas, anchored by the White Rocks Amphitheater.
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