The Albert Marty Building

This Romanesque Revival gem has survived floods and floods in the West Bottoms since 1886.

The Albert Marty Building

1412 W 12th Street, Kansas City, MO (Map)
Built: 1886
Architect/Style: Van Brunt & Howe // Romanesque Revival
Area: West Bottoms

The Albert Marty Building, constructed in 1886, is one of the oldest remaining structures in Kansas City's West Bottoms. It represents a period of rapid growth following the construction of Union Depot in 1877 and serves as a significant example of late 19th-century industrial architecture.

This building's history reflects the larger narrative of the West Bottoms, a neighborhood that became a hub of commerce and industry due to its strategic location near railroad lines.

Architectural Splendor and Design

Designed in the Romanesque Revival tradition, the Albert Marty Building is a quintessential example of late 19th-century industrial architecture. This style, which gained popularity in the United States during the 1880s and 1890s, is characterized by its use of heavy, robust materials and intricate detailing, all exemplified in the Albert Marty Building.

The building's primary south façade is divided into six distinct bays, each framed by thick, imposing brick piers that rise to a heavily corbelled cornice. These piers create a vertical emphasis, drawing the eye upward and giving the building a sense of grandeur and solidity. The use of brick as the primary material not only provides a robust and fire-resistant structure but also adds a rich, textured aesthetic.