Midland Theatre, Kansas City

The Midland Theatre, a historic gem in the Power & Light District of Kansas City, has a rich and varied past. Built in 1927 by Marcus Loew and designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb alongside the Boller Brothers of Kansas City, the theatre was initially named Loew's Midland Theatre. This 3,000-seat venue is notable for being the largest historic theater within 250 miles of the city, showcasing Lamb's late 1920s style with its French and Italian Baroque influences. The building’s exterior, crafted in Renaissance Revival style with cream-glazed terra cotta brick, features intricate details like winged figures, floral designs, and a grand four-story arched window above a copper and gold marquee lit by 3,600 bulbs.

Inside, the theatre is an opulent display of over 500,000 feet of gold leaf, five magnificent Czechoslovakian hand-cut crystal chandeliers, exquisite wood and plaster work, and a collection of irreplaceable art objects and antiques. Originally, the Midland boasted a Robert Morton theatre pipe organ, which was a central feature until the mid-20th century when the rise of larger screen sound movies led to the decline of stage shows and organ music. After a series of relocations, the organ eventually found a new home in the Kansas City Music Hall.

Throughout its history, the Midland has been known by several names, including Saxon Theatre, Midland Stadium, and Midland 1-2-3 Theatre. It briefly operated as an arena in the 1960s, even housing Kansas City's professional bowling team, the Kansas City Stars, before their departure in December 1961.

In 2008, the building went through a significant renovation. The floor plan is now open to allow for standing-room-only events or cabaret-style tables. The office portion of the building now houses lounges and bars. All renovations were done to meet preservation standards, and even the exterior marquee has been restored to look as it did in 1927. The Midland Theatre has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.