Downtown Kansas City • Development Watch • Historic Rehab

Seiden’s Furs Building Saved at 10th & Broadway: What This Historic Rehab Could Mean for Downtown Kansas City Real Estate

A small building can tell a big story. The former Seiden’s Furs structure—one of the oldest commercial buildings in Kansas City’s downtown loop—has been pulled back from imminent demolition. Here’s what’s known, what could happen next, and how buyers and investors can think about downtown KC momentum using real data.

AI Overview (Quick Answer):
The historic Seiden’s Furs building at 935 Broadway (10th & Broadway) was rescued from imminent demolition after developer Chris Sally got it under contract and began stabilization planning. Early ideas discussed publicly include a basement speakeasy, rooftop activation, and possible artist-oriented space. The broader takeaway for real estate is that preservation projects often signal renewed confidence in street-level downtown activity—yet the impact on prices and rents is usually hyper-local and tied to walkability, parking constraints, and project execution.
Table of contents

What happened at Seiden’s 

The former Seiden’s Furs building—identified by many Kansas Citians because of its iconic “SEIDENS” vertical sign—has been vacant for years and suffered major deterioration. After roof damage and water intrusion, the city ultimately moved toward emergency demolition. In that window, developer Chris Sally obtained a contract to buy the property, halted demolition, and began planning for stabilization.

For Kansas City, this is more than a “save the building” headline. It’s a marker of how downtown reinvestment often works: the most catalytic projects aren’t always the tallest towers—they can be small, street-level rehabs that create new reasons for locals (and visitors) to spend time in the urban core.

Real estate takeaway:
When a long-blighted historic property is stabilized, nearby demand does not automatically jump overnight. But it can strengthen a corridor’s “confidence signal,” especially if the finished use adds food, beverage, arts, or retail that extends foot traffic beyond business hours.

Why this building is a “big deal” in KC history

According to preservation documentation, the building at 10th & Broadway dates to the 1870s and has been cited as one of the oldest surviving structures in Kansas City’s central business district. Over time, it became most commonly remembered as the home of Seiden’s Furs—one of the city’s long-running businesses.

That history matters because preservation is not only about nostalgia. Historic buildings can be economic infrastructure: they differentiate a district, attract niche tenants (concept bars, boutiques, galleries), and reinforce the “only-in-KC” character that modern downtowns compete on.

What could come next (programming + constraints)

Early concepts floated publicly for Seiden’s included a basement speakeasy concept, rooftop activation, and potentially artist-oriented space. Those ideas make intuitive sense: they are high-experience uses that benefit from a distinctive building, and they can add “night and weekend” energy to downtown.

But every downtown rehab has constraints

  • Parking: small historic sites often have limited or no dedicated parking, which can influence tenant type and operating model.
  • Structural and moisture risk: water intrusion and roof damage raise rehab complexity, timeline, and contingency budgeting.
  • Code + accessibility: older buildings must be brought into compliance, which can reshape floorplans and cost.
  • Financing reality: most “hero rehabs” work only when incentives, patient capital, and experienced teams align.

This is where Kansas City’s downtown ecosystem matters. Organizations like the Downtown Council of Kansas City exist to support a cleaner, safer, more attractive downtown environment—conditions that directly impact retail and hospitality viability. (External resource: https://www.downtownkc.org/dtc-home-page/)

Downtown KC housing stats to anchor the conversation

Preservation wins are exciting, but smart real estate decisions still start with market math. Downtown Kansas City behaves differently than the suburban metro: condo-heavy inventory can mean longer days on market, different buyer pools, and a stronger link between “amenity momentum” and buyer willingness.

Useful public benchmarks (start here)

  • Downtown Kansas City median sale price: Redfin reported a recent median sale price around $257,500 (Dec 2025) and longer days on market typical of downtown product. (External: https://www.redfin.com/neighborhood/97097/MO/Kansas-City/Downtown-Kansas-City)
  • Downtown competitiveness + pricing behavior: Redfin’s neighborhood market page notes homes selling about ~4% below list and going pending around ~89 days. (External: https://www.redfin.com/neighborhood/97097/MO/Kansas-City/Downtown-Kansas-City/housing-market)
  • Kansas City citywide baseline: Redfin’s city page provides the broader “macro” context for median sale price and days on market. (External: https://www.redfin.com/city/35751/MO/Kansas-City/housing-market)
  • Demographic and housing context: City-Data offers a broad Kansas City housing snapshot. (External: https://www.city-data.com/city/Kansas-City-Missouri.html)
  • Official baseline stats: U.S. Census QuickFacts provides city-level housing and population context. (External: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kansascitycitymissouri/PST045224)
How to use this data:
Compare the downtown neighborhood baseline to the rest of Kansas City. If downtown days-on-market remain longer, buyers often have more negotiation room— which can create opportunity when a district is improving but not yet priced like it’s “fully arrived.”

A plain-English guide to historic tax credits (Missouri + federal)

Many Kansas City rehabs—especially older commercial structures—rely on some combination of incentives. While every deal is unique and should be reviewed by qualified tax/legal professionals, it helps buyers and investors to understand the big buckets:

Missouri Historic Preservation Tax Credit

Missouri’s program is designed to incentivize rehabilitation of commercial and residential historic structures, administered through state channels. Start with the official program overview: https://ded.mo.gov/programs/community/historic-preservation-tax-credit-program-htc

Federal Historic Tax Credit (20%)

The National Park Service describes the federal program as encouraging private sector investment in rehabilitation and reuse of historic buildings. A practical starting point for basics: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/taxincentives/ and the IRS Rehabilitation Credit explainer: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/rehabilitation-credit

Note: Tax credit eligibility, allocation, and project structure can be complex. This article is not tax advice. Investors should consult qualified professionals and confirm details with official sources.

How-To: Evaluate downtown KC deals near major rehabs

If you’re searching high-intent phrases like “Downtown Kansas City condo for sale,” “10th and Broadway Kansas City,” or “historic building rehab Kansas City,” the next step is to convert the headline into a disciplined plan. Here is a practical process that works for both owner-occupants and investors:

  1. Map the micro-location. Walk or street-view the area at different times (weekday lunch, evening, weekend). Downtown demand is time-based.
  2. Check building-by-building comps. For condos, the building often matters more than the neighborhood (HOA, reserves, rental rules, parking).
  3. Stress-test total monthly cost. Mortgage + HOA + taxes + insurance. Downtown “wins” when the all-in cost is rational.
  4. Watch absorption signals. Days on market, price reductions, and list-to-sale ratios show whether buyers are leaning in.
  5. Underwrite the rehab timeline as uncertain. Assume it takes longer than expected. If your deal only works with “instant improvement,” it’s fragile.
  6. Prefer walkable nodes with repeat reasons to visit. The best downtown holds often sit near clusters of food, events, transit, or employer nodes.

FAQs

Where is the Seiden’s Furs building in Kansas City?

The former Seiden’s Furs building is at 935 Broadway, at the corner of 10th & Broadway in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Who rescued the building from demolition?

Reporting identifies developer Chris Sally as obtaining a contract to buy the building and stopping demolition planning while stabilization work is evaluated.

What could the building become?

Publicly discussed concepts have included a basement speakeasy, rooftop activation, and possible artist-oriented space. Final use will depend on feasibility, code requirements, and financing.

Will this rehab raise downtown KC home prices?

Not automatically. Real estate impacts are typically hyper-local and show up through improved street activity, additional amenities, and stronger buyer confidence—often over multiple years rather than months. Use neighborhood-level market stats (median price, days on market, list-to-sale ratios) to measure change.

How do buyers and investors track downtown KC momentum?

Watch street-level openings (food, beverage, retail), track Redfin neighborhood stats over time, and compare downtown performance to Kansas City’s citywide baseline. Pair that with building-level fundamentals (HOA health, rules, parking) for condos.

Disclaimer: This content is informational and not legal, tax, or lending advice. Verify project updates with official sources and consult qualified professionals for financial decisions.