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Bolling building listed on National Register of Historic Places

A building with a checkerboard-looking exterior and a courtyard in the foreground.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Park Service officially listed GSA’s Richard Bolling Federal Building on the National Register of Historic Places Aug. 2.

The building at 601 E. 12th St. is an 18-story high-rise office tower and a three-story low-rise building, which includes the main entrance to the building, the lobby, and a small post office. The exterior of the tower features a distinctive checkerboard pattern created by alternating dark grey glazed glass panels with lighter grey metal spandrels.

“The Bolling Federal Building is an excellent example of mid-century modern architecture that was built by the U.S. Government,” said GSA Regional Historic Preservation Officer Sylvia Augustus. “It also is a very significant addition to the Kansas City skyline and speaks to the federal presence in downtown Kansas City.”

Why the designation matters

  • GSA can access historic program funds for future work, which will assist with upkeep and maintenance as the building ages.
  • The building is identified as one of our nation’s cultural resources, which should be considered for protection from destruction or impairment.
  • The building has integrity aspects of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
  • The listing highlights the exceptionalism of the building’s architectural design and confirms its significance to Kansas City.

About the building

With 1.2 million square feet, the federal office building was designed and constructed between 1961 and 1967. Public Law 103-273 designated it as the “Richard Bolling Federal Building” in 1994. In 2015, GSA completed a series of renovation projects. Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Health and Human Services, occupy the building.

“The building is a pretty significant fixture in downtown Kansas City,” said GSA Building Manager Stefanie Walters. “It is something that anyone in this building can be proud of. It’s an honor we made it to the national historic register.”

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Last updated: Nov 24, 2023
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