Profile: No Vacancy
Discover one of Kansas City’s most unique, artisan hotel, tucked away in the heart of the Crossroads.
Owner Spencer Sight. Photo by Shawn Brackbill
No Vacancy is so much more than a boutique hotel or an event space. In your own words, how would you describe it? What was the inspiration behind creating an oasis such as this?
The feedback I consistently receive is that [this place] “feels like home.” It’s comfortable and quaint enough to be furnished like a well-appointed abode, while offering the convenience and consistency of a boutique hotel. The term “hotel” comes with its own set of expectations: room service, televisions, a front desk; a more accurate description of No Vacancy is a guesthouse. Visitors can book one or all eight rooms, and they have access to the lounge and second floor courtyard. No two studio-spaces are alike; each has a distinct personality, yet there is a cohesive aesthetic sustained throughout the building.
Photo by Kaley From Kansas
You and your dad bought this 100-year-old building with the intention to restore it to its former glory and then some. Can you speak to how you persuaded the previous owner to align with your vision vs. her alternative option of selling it to developers?
We met the former owner of the building back in 2015, and she hinted that she may want to sell soon. We kept the conversation afloat for the next four years until she was finally ready to liberate herself from the property, which was falling into disrepair. It was one of the last buildings on the block to be restored, which meant it was on the radar for several big developers with deep pockets. Their intentions were opaque, and the owner had a soft spot for the creative community; she ultimately had confidence and trusted that we would do something special with it. We restored it in the truest sense of the word; we revealed all of the original, charming attributes: exposed brick, ceiling joists, hardwoods and casement windows, all the while completely upgrading the structure to the modern era with new mechanical systems and an elevator. Being over a century in age, we are hopeful about adding another couple hundred years to its legacy.
Where have you drawn inspiration for the design elements? How did you come to accumulate all of the one-of-a-kind pieces that make up the decor, and do you have one you adore the most?
I didn’t adhere to a certain design genre. Rather, the space was curated around the furnishings. Every corner of No Vacancy has totally distinctive decor that I sourced during the nine months prior to opening. I took to auctions, estate sales, and Craigslist, collecting pre-loved antiques and textiles from all eras and all parts of the globe. To be honest, furnishing the space is an ongoing project. I’m in a continuous state of re-iteration and re-arranging as I find new treasures to add to it. Each time you return, it is bound to be different and more fully expressed in its aesthetic.
Photo by Kaley From Kansas
Where have you drawn inspiration for the design elements? How did you come to accumulate all of the one-of-a-kind pieces that make up the decor, and do you have one you adore the most?
I didn’t adhere to a certain design genre. Rather, the space was curated around the furnishings. Every corner of No Vacancy has totally distinctive decor that I sourced during the nine months prior to opening. I took to auctions, estate sales, and Craigslist, collecting pre-loved antiques and textiles from all eras and all parts of the globe. To be honest, furnishing the space is an ongoing project. I’m in a continuous state of re-iteration and re-arranging as I find new treasures to add to it. Each time you return, it is bound to be different and more fully expressed in its aesthetic.
There was an incredible amount of collaboration with fellow talent in KC to bring your creative vision to life. Who are some of the local artists that worked with you on curating No Vacancy?
It was a truly collective project. Frank Norton was my creative companion on the branding side of things, and he really helped bridge the gap between the physical space and the digital identity. He was a joy to work with, and it sparked a lifelong friendship. Chris Foxworth came in after the space was completed and executed beautiful, hand-painted signage in the halls and on the exterior doors; they offer a perfect combo of function and fashion. It was awesome to see him carry on the legacy of this craft and to do so with such precision. I commissioned my friend Kit Landwehr to do a mural in the courtyard, and it was fun to merge the brand identity with her style of expression. It was her first mural ever, and she totally crushed it. Taking a selfie in front of the mural has become a right of passage for guests.
Photo by Brooke Vandever
What can you tell us about the highlights of the area in which No Vacancy is located?
It is located in the West Crossroads. In an alternate universe, if I were visiting Kansas City, this is the part of town I would want to anchor. It is centralized and dotted with some of the city’s best gardens, galleries, restaurants, cafes, breweries, and local shops.
How can the community support No Vacancy safely amidst the current climate, and how have you had to pivot? What words of wisdom might you offer others that have found themselves encountering unforeseen obstacles?
Opening in the Covid-19 environment proved the importance of adaptability. The concept pivoted as inquiries began pouring in from small groups wanting to rent out the entire place. The option for a ‘hotel buyout’ was born from this, and it allows guests to enter a clean and curated environment, as well as trace all who visit. It has been essential to make the experience personal in order to ensure the health and safety of guests. No Vacancy has become a popular choice for wedding groups looking to put their wedding parties and traveling guests all under one roof. They get exclusive access to the lounge and courtyard, making them able to host modest-sized receptions, happy hours, brunches, photoshoots, and even small ceremonies.
Where can people follow along with the latest and greatest that's happening with No Vacancy?
You can also find us at @no_vacancy on Instagram and TikTok. Be sure to check out our website, too!
