Four Helix clients honored with Kansas City Business Journal Capstone Awards

The Grand, built in 1962 by Trader’s Bank, has been used as commercial office space for over 50 years, and has been a longtime part of the downtown Kansas City skyline. Helix partnered with developers Sunflower Development Group and Block Multifamily to convert this 21-story building into market-rate urban apartment units, complete with modern amenities.

To appeal to young working professionals, the design team prioritized incorporating a chic 1960’s style throughout finishes and materials in shared spaces and the individual units. Unique features such as the roof-top pool with event space and smart-building technology sets this high-rise apart from other downtown multi-family buildings. Other amenities include fitness center, private movie screening theatre and a club room. Photography by Bob Greenspan. 

Spira Care is an innovative new offering from Blue Cross Blue Shield that is the first of its kind in the Kansas City market. Helix collaborated with integrated marketing agency Barkley and healthcare architecture firm Pulse Design Group to design Care Centers that reimagine the patient experience and help members navigate the world of healthcare. Designed to create an atmosphere of hospitality, Spira Care Centers offer easy access to an array of services for members within a warm, welcoming environment, including primary care visits, routine behavioral health services, lab draws, X-rays and more. The first Spira Care Center opened in January 2018 and now boast a total of five Care Center locations. Photography by Michael Robinson. 

Located just outside of downtown Kansas City on a sprawling 30-acre campus, the Precious Blood Renewal Center is known for its spirit of healing and unmatched hospitality. The Center welcomes people who are seeking spiritual, physical, and mental restoration, hosting company retreats or individuals in need of quiet reflection. After receiving multiple requests to accommodate large groups of people but lacking adequate space, the Center commissioned Helix  to help them achieve their mission of supporting those who look to be uplifted.

The Helix team carved out the center of the existing L-shaped building and inserted a new addition that provides the large gathering space the Center needed. A simple yet dramatic twist of the building truss creates a roofline that rises on either side, as if greeting those who are visiting the Center. The new space can accommodate groups of 100-200 people comfortably. Other amenities within the renovated building include various smaller group settings, spiritual direction meeting spaces, staff offices and a catering kitchen for larger events. Photography by Bob Greenspan. 

Caffetteria is the latest concept from Jo Marie Scaglia, who began her successful restaurant career in Kansas City when she opened The Mixx. Caffetteria is an inviting space for families in the community, where they can enjoy fresh artisanal dishes. Inspired by Italian cafes and coffee bars, the ‘60s mod-Italian design permeates every aspect of the restaurant. The colorful space is accented with brass finishes and custom ceramic tile details. Since opening, Caffetteria has filled a need to nourish and provide a service to the community, reminiscent of Jo Marie’s own childhood, filled with welcoming gatherings around the dinner table. Photography by William Hess.