KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland was the third-largest theater in the United States when it opened in 1927.
It sits right along the new streetcar line in downtown Kansas City, between 12th and 13th on the west side of Main.
Inside, there are 5 million square inches of gold and silver leaf decorating the walls and ceilings. Unique antiques and other art fill areas in and outside the theater.
Its mezzanine level is “canti-levered” -- meaning it has no support columns. It was one of the first theaters in the world built this way, allowing all 3,573 seats an unobstructed view of the stage.
The mezzanine wraps below a lofted entertainment level, complete with a bar that circles a huge, floor-to-ceiling chandelier.
There are at least around a dozen more of these hand-cut, crystal chandeliers throughout the theater’s halls.
Even with all the detail and décor, builders completed the construction in about a year for a total cost of around $4 million.
In 1977, the Midland was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Watch the video at the top of this page to take a short tour of the building and see for yourself!
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