Rieger Hotel

Originally built in 1915, the Rieger Hotel was a frequent stop for Al Capone, thanks to its close proximity to Union Station and its convenient access for quick getaways.

Rieger Hotel

1922 Main St, Kansas City, MO (Map)
Built: 1915
Architect/Style: Smith, Rea, and Lovitt
Area: Crossroads

The Rieger Hotel, built in 1915 at 1922 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri, reflects a transformative period in the city's industrial growth and shifting travel patterns. Designed by the architectural firm Smith, Rea, and Lovitt and built by Gray Construction Company, the three-story brick and terracotta hotel catered to traveling businessmen, workers, and long-term tenants drawn to Kansas City’s growing industries and Union Station.

Hotel staff standing in front of the original hotel.

The hotel was developed by Alexander Rieger, son of Jacob Rieger, who founded J. Rieger & Co., a prominent distillery in the Union Depot district. Jacob Rieger immigrated from Austria-Hungary in 1879, and his family settled in Kansas City in 1885. Alexander, taking over the family distillery in 1900, built a national reputation for their spirits, claiming J. Rieger & Co. as the "Largest Mail-Order Whiskey House," serving over 250,000 customers.