Helix Architecture + Design Announces New Headquarters, Reveals Design

Helix Architecture + Design, a nationally recognized architecture and interior design firm, announced today that it will be relocating its Kansas City headquarters this summer after more than two decades at 1629 Walnut Street. The move highlights Helix’s continued commitment to downtown and specifically the Crossroads Arts District, as its new office will be just a few blocks away.

Helix will occupy space at 220 W. 18th, a new multi-tenant office development. As leaders in workplace design and urban revitalization, Helix was in the process of designing the transformation of these historic Film Row buildings into modern, boutique office when the opportunity to relocate arose organically.

“Our move into 220 W. 18th marks a notable shift in the role of the workplace today,” said Helix President Erika Moody, FIIDA. “Through our current work with multiple clients, we have helped them reevaluate their office needs and square footage, strategically designing high quality spaces that foster community among employees. The development we have created at 220 is a progressive model for workplace design, offering businesses turn-key space and a host of amenities that will be shared among tenants.” 

Helix applied its extensive workplace expertise to its new office, creating the ideal studio for its team. It provides the variety of workspace that employees desire to be productive and creative. The open workstations are organized around areas for teams to activate the office with pin-up space, touchdown spots for impromptu conversation, and makerspace to use tools needed for hands-on design.

“Design is not accomplished by individuals — it’s accomplished by an integrated team,” said Moody. “Our space allows us to bring design front and center, supporting an iterative process that cultivates the best solutions for each project.”

The buildings are owned by developer and philanthropist Shirley Bush Helzberg. In addition to the office development, which will give tenants access to shared amenities such as conference rooms and a work cafe, Helix and its design partners are revitalizing a surface parking lot and vacant building into a public park and new retail space. True to the roots of the Crossroads Arts District, Helix planned for impactful art installations throughout each building. 

“Helix has been a trusted partner for more than 25 years, starting with the renovation of the Webster School,” said Helzberg. “I value the passion that we share for revitalizing historic buildings. I imagined the Film Row buildings to become energetic places for people to come together. I’m thrilled that Helix is going to be a tenant and contribute to the vibrancy of the area.”

“When we think about where Helix started more than 30 years ago and our vision for the future, our new office represents our commitment to producing work with measurable impact that benefits our communities and environments,” said Moody. “We remain authentic to our history, grounded in our community, and curious to constantly reimagine what’s next. We expect this space to unlock endless opportunities, in Kansas City and beyond.”

About Helix Architecture + Design

Helix Architecture + Design is an integrated architecture and interior design firm with offices in Kansas City and Denver. The firm’s diverse portfolio of work includes workplace, higher education, cultural, mixed-use, multifamily, civic, and hospitality projects and has specialized expertise with renovation, adaptive reuse and preservation of historic buildings. Helix has been recognized with more than 230 regional, national, and international awards for design excellence and thought leadership. In 2023, Helix became a majority women-owned firm under the direction of President Erika Moody, FIIDA.