The 55th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse will be at a wonderful historic home in the Valentine area, 3621 Belleview Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. This house is directly across the street from the famed Thomas Hart Benton house. The Showhouse will be open for tours from April 26 – May 18, 2025.
Tickets will be available for purchase online and at local outlets. Visit our showhouse website for more information https://showhouse.org/showhousetourtickets/
The Symphony Designers’ Showhouse is a Kansas City tradition and one of the longest running Showhouses in the country. Sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony Alliance (KCSA), the project is a benefit for the Kansas City Symphony.
Each year, a Kansas City landmark residence is chosen as the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. The homeowners move out and a public preview of the “undecorated” home is held.
Local designers are selected to transform each room of the home into a design showplace. The “finished” Showhouse is typically open to the public in the spring. Tickets usually go on sale after the first of the year. Tickets are available online, through outlets and through KCSA members.
This year’s Showhouse is located at 3621 Belleview Avenue in the Roanoke Historic District, one of Kansas City’s oldest and first officially planned suburbs. The house features more than 40 design spaces. Tickets will be on sale in the spring both online and at local outlets. As always, all proceeds go to support our Kansas City Symphony. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 Kansas City Symphony Designers’ Showhouse.
About the 55th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse
The 2025 Symphony Designers’ Showhouse was completed around 1906. The architect is believed to be George Mathews, who lived in the apartment above the carriage house while working on several homes in this neighborhood. The house stands on the original site of the Kansas City Inter-State Fair, which was sold to the Roanoke Investment Company. Mathews also is credited with designing the Thomas Hart Benton home across the street at 3616 Belleview as well as last year’s Showhouse at 1100 Valentine Road.
The first owner was William D. Johnson, a livestock dealer. About 1914 the property was sold to Alvin L. Harroun and his wife Edna. He was vice president of Builders Material Supply Co. and later had his own investment company and was a broker. In 1939 the house was purchased by William D. Harris and his Wife Velma. His business was refining oil products. Velma had been a concert violinist on the Shubert Theater circuit at age 14.
By 1994 the house had been bought by Dr. Robert and Cindy Stokes, who lovingly preserved its rich heritage of early 20th century design and history. Dr. Stokes practiced emergency medicine and general practice medicine. He died in 2016. Mrs. Cindy Stokes was instrumental in maintaining the integrity of the house.
The new owners of the House are Tim and Julie Steele, who have been in the house since May of 2024 They have added central air conditioning. They are pleased to allow their home to be the 2025 Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. They are major supporters of the Kansas City Symphony.
For updates on the Showhouse visit our associated website at showhouse.org