Food halls are popping up left and right, and places like Parlor make it easy to understand why. The first food hall in Kansas City, Mo., Parlor opened its doors (and seven kitchens) to the public in September 2018. With the specific goal of creating “the home of the Crossroads,” our design team worked alongside the client to form a hospitality concept inspired by residential design.

To comfortably accommodate lounge and dining areas, the space was conceptually divided into sections mirroring the rooms you’d often find in a home. The ‘living room’ and ‘den’ spaces greet guests upon entering, and a 32-foot bar guides guests through the first of two floors featuring a few of the seven dining concepts available for patrons enjoy. Upstairs, the kitchen concepts and larger dining area are connected to the second-floor bar via a shuffle board and stadium seating. Beyond the bar, a covered patio was added and gives guests a unique view of the Crossroads and downtown Kansas City.

Throughout both floors, original elements of the 1920s building were preserved and repurposed, including the wood garage doors on the first floor, brick walls and flooring. Quirky artwork and murals by local artists are visual highlights further connecting Parlor to its local context.

With seven food concepts, two full bars and plenty of comfortable seating, Parlor caters to the business lunch or happy hour as easily as it does afternoon watch parties for a big game. With a family-friendly atmosphere and residential-inspired design, “home of the Crossroads” feels like a fitting description.