Wardell & Holmes-owned property will become a new home for music, education, and community as Kansas City prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Kansas City Jazz ALIVE and Music Across Borders are moving into the property as new tenants through the Open Doors! program, establishing 515 Music Hub as a new home for music-centered programming, community engagement, and arts access in the heart of Kansas City.

The property is owned by Andrea Buettner-Wardell, broker & owner of Wardell & Holmes Real Estate, LLC, whose longtime passion for music, art, and creative placemaking helped shape the vision for what the space could become.

Formerly occupied by Liquid 9, a Kansas City creative studio with work tied to music, including a connection to Tech N9ne and Strange Music, 515 SW Blvd already held a legacy of creativity. This next chapter expands that connection, transforming the space into 515 Music Hub — a place designed to support live music, education, collaboration, and cultural visibility at a pivotal moment for the city.

“As a broker, owner, and lifelong supporter of the arts, I’ve always believed real estate should do more than fill a building, it should help shape culture,” said Buettner-Wardell. “Bringing Kansas City Jazz ALIVE and Music Across Borders to 515 Southwest Boulevard is exactly the kind of creative, community-centered future I hoped this space could support as Kansas City prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

Founded in 2013, Kansas City Jazz ALIVE exists to advocate, elevate, and amplify the Kansas City jazz scene through education and awareness. The organization supports performing artists, venue owners and operators, educators, and music patrons through collaboration, programming, scholarships, and public engagement. Its work includes stakeholder gatherings, 18th & Vine walking history tours, and the annual Spotlight: Charlie Parker celebration.

“I’m excited for Kansas City to have a true listening space — one where artists and music come first,” said BJ Jansen, President of Kansas City Jazz ALIVE. “This is an opportunity to unite the arts community across the metro, elevate Kansas City’s creative voice, and build lasting cultural impact as the city steps onto the global stage with the FIFA World Cup and beyond.”

Music Across Borders is a nonprofit organization committed to creating music education, connecting people and resources to music-related offerings, and empowering individuals to engage with and pursue music. The organization has supported youth musicians locally, partnered with area schools and nonprofits, and built international impact through its roots in Strings for Uganda. Through 515 Music Hub, the organization will help create a safe and welcoming place for the community to engage in music-related services and activities.

“Music is the heartbeat of Kansas City, and Music Across Borders is not only committed to nourishing it, but also wants to showcase it,” said Lindsey Jarrett, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Music Across Borders. “We’re so excited to collaborate with KC Jazz ALIVE to host pop-up performances that showcase our diverse local music scene. Musicians deserve to have a listening room where music is the main event, and not just background music.”

The move comes at a time when Kansas City is preparing to welcome international visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating new urgency around the city’s cultural identity, neighborhood experience, and creative economy. For Wardell & Holmes Real Estate, the project reflects a larger belief that real estate can be a vehicle for meaningful community impact.

Opening is planned for June 1, 2026, with an official kickoff event scheduled during June First Fridays (June 5, 2026).

For more information, visit www.kcjazzalive.org and www.mabkc.org.