**Location and History**:
– The Plaza is located in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, on a 55-acre site about 4 miles south of downtown.
– Bordered by 46th Street and Brush Creek, it is surrounded by upscale apartment buildings and mansions in the Country Club District.
– Named after the Country Club District developed by J.C. Nichols, who began acquiring land for the Plaza in 1907.
– Designed by architect Edward Buehler Delk and opened in 1923, the Plaza was a pioneer in revolutionizing shopping experiences in the early 20th century.
**Historic Firsts and Evolution**:
– The Plaza was the first regional shopping center with parking for cars and the first suburban center with common management and unified architecture.
– It opened in 1923, offering a unique shopping experience and has a long history of success and endurance.
– The Plaza’s evolution included repositioning with luxury hotels and upscale retailers.
**Layout and Features**:
– The Plaza features 18 buildings with 784,000 square feet of retail space and 219,000 square feet of office space.
– It offers high-end retail establishments, restaurants, and entertainment venues and is known for its Baroque Revival and Moorish Revival architecture.
– The Plaza underwent significant renovation after a major flood in 1977.
**Ownership and Management**:
– Owned by Macerich and Taubman Centers and managed by Taubman Centers.
– In 1998, J.C. Nichols Company merged with Highwoods Properties, and in 2016, plans were announced to sell the retail complex for $660 million.
– Nordstrom had plans to move to the Plaza but were later cancelled in 2022.
**Plaza Lights and Additional Information**:
– The Plaza Lights tradition started in 1925 with a single strand of 16 colored lights and has grown into a significant seasonal event.
– The Plaza reflects classic European influences, with more than 30 statues, murals, and tile mosaics on display.
– Companies in the area include American Century Investments, Russell Stover Candies, Inergy, Gates Bar-B-Q, and Lockton.
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The Country Club Plaza (often called The Plaza) is a privately owned regional shopping center in the Country Club District of Kansas City, Missouri. Opened in 1923, it was the first planned suburban shopping center and the first regional shopping center to accommodate shoppers arriving by car.
 Kansas City's Country Club Plaza | |
 | |
| Location | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°02′29″N 94°35′31″W / 39.041323°N 94.591813°W |
| Opening date | 1922 (established); 1923 (opened) |
| Developer | J.C. Nichols |
| Management | Taubman Centers |
| Owner | Macerich and Taubman Centers |
| Public transit access |  RideKC |
| Website | countryclubplaza |
Planned in 1922 by J. C. Nichols and designed in Baroque Revival and Moorish Revival style echoing the architecture of Seville, Spain, the Plaza comprises high-end retail establishments, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as offices. The Country Club Plaza is named in the Project for Public Spaces' list 60 of the World's Great Places.
The center consists of 18 separate buildings representing 784,000 square feet (72,800 m2) of retail space and 219,000 square feet (20,300 m2) of office space.
Definition from ChatGPT:
Country Club Plaza:
Country Club Plaza is a popular shopping and entertainment district located in Kansas City, Missouri. It is known for its Spanish-inspired architecture, upscale shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The Plaza also features fountains, statues, and beautiful landscaping, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.