A New Era Begins.

Coming soon to Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, the revitalized Boone Theater will once again be a beacon of culture and creativity.

It’s the return of an icon.

The Boone Theater, originally known as The New Rialto Theater when it opened in 1924, was later renamed after John W. Blind Boone. It is now an exciting historic preservation project, led by Vine Street Collaborative, that aims to transform the 1924 structure into a hub of high culture in Kansas City's Vine District.

Overlooked for decades.

The building site was converted into a theater-restaurant and bar called the Scott Theater in the early 1940s. In the 1950s, it was renovated to house a National Guard Armory. In 1970, the theatre was sold to the Mutual Musicians Foundation, who hoped to convert it into a jazz and cultural center, but the project failed due to lack of funding. The Boone Theatre is part of an ongoing restoration.

The History Of Boone Theater.

The historically significant 18th and Vine Jazz District, a center of arts and culture in the city, has faced ongoing economic and sustainability challenges. The Boone Theater, a contributing structure to the District on both the Kansas City and National Register of Historic Places.

After being boarded up in the 1950’s, the theater sat unused and as such was in drastic need of restoration; the roof had nearly collapsed and was causing water damage. City leaders and local residents knew there was little time to save the structure. To increase the livability of the larger District, cultural venues, clubs, restaurants, and public spaces needed to be reconnected.

New anchors and points of attraction were needed to further the revitalization of the area and encourage new audiences, partners and venues to the area.

Our design approach:
activate the community eco-system

Fostering design through culture.

Our approach considers a number of design factors. These include the scale of buildings, streets, and open spaces, as well as the long-term flexibility of development to accommodate growth and evolution. Additionally, we prioritize the preservation of historic assets and the design of streetscapes to create a walkable experience that connects major destinations with local businesses.

Compelling opportunities for outdoor experiences

Bringing people and ideas
together.

Boone Theater will soon offer a new outdoor experience for the 18th & Vine area, featuring curated movie showings, food, and art installations. Guests can enjoy dinner and a movie, a jazz & food pocket park, and an art hub + incubator.

Meet the Boone Theater family

Bussinesses at Boone

Meet the team.

Vine Street Collaborative

The Vine Street Collaborative is a partnership of three visionary leaders—Tim Duggan, Jason Parson, and Shomari Benton—committed to preserving Kansas City’s cultural heritage while fostering new opportunities for growth. With deep roots in the community, this trio has led transformative redevelopment projects that merge historic preservation with forward-thinking design. Their work focuses on creating vibrant, inclusive spaces that reflect the rich history of Kansas City's 18th & Vine Jazz District.

The trio's flagship projects include the revitalization of 2000 Vine, a historic public works complex transformed into a mixed-use destination featuring offices, event spaces, and cultural hubs like Vine Street Brewing Co. and the Warren Harvey Art Gallery​

This redevelopment is helping to expand the cultural corridor of the historic district, breathing new life into once-vacant structures and providing new economic and creative opportunities for local residents and businesses.

Now, as part of their continued investment in the area, the Vine Street Collaborative is spearheading the Boone Theater redevelopment. This project aims to transform the historic theater into a state-of-the-art cultural hub, featuring the Black Movie Hall of Fame, the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, and a range of community-focused spaces.

Together, Tim, Jason, and Shomari bring a unique blend of design, communication, and legal expertise to every project they undertake. Their shared vision is to create spaces that honor Kansas City's past while laying the foundation for a vibrant and inclusive future.