The Country Club Plaza, one of Kansas City’s many architectural and historic jewels, was developed by J.C. Nichols in the 1920s as the country’s first outdoor shopping center. One of his partners on the project was prominent local architect Edward Buehler Delk.
1234 W 58th St
The 100+ year-old mansion at 1234 W 58th St in Kansas City was designed by Edward Buehler Delk and has recently been listed for sale. Situated on an acre of land, it boasts a spacious 5,046 square feet of living space, which includes five bedrooms and five bathrooms, and it can be yours for the sum of $2.1 million! The exterior showcases the intricate Tudor style that was popular at the time, while the interior blends charming original details with tasteful modern updates. Check out the Kansas City Star’s feature on this incredible home!
Edward Buehler Delk
Delk was born in Schoharie, New York, in 1888. During World War I, he served in the Army Air Corps and later studied city planning at the University of London. He worked in several cities throughout the U.S. but made some of his biggest architectural statements right here in Kansas City.
Community Christian Church. PC: Frank Llyod Wright Foundation
Besides his work for J.C. Nichols and the Country Club Plaza, Delk also collaborated on two projects with Frank Lloyd Wright – the Clarence Sondern house near Roanoke Park and the iconic Community Christian Church at 46th Street and Main Street, just east of the Country Club Plaza. This stunning mid-century modern church was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, but some design elements and choices of materials were rejected by the city during inspection, and Delk stepped in to adapt those aspects of the structure to meet city requirements.
Starlight Theater
Delk’s architectural legacy also includes Starlight Theatre in Swope Park, which was completed in 1951. Sadly, just five years later, he died unexpectedly on a return voyage from Europe on the S.S. Excambion.
